Summer Water Safety 2026

Doncaster, Culture & Leisure Summer Water Safety

Stay Safe. Swim Smart

Supporting Drowning Prevention Week Across Doncaster

Water is part of everyday life in Doncaster – from rivers and canals to lakes and wetlands. While these spaces can be enjoyable, they can also be dangerous.

Around 35,750 households – a quarter of homes in Doncaster – have easy access to rivers, lakes and canals. Across the UK, more than 200 people lose their lives in accidental water-related incidents each year, with many happening during the warmer months when more people spend time near water.

Many of these incidents can be prevented through simple water safety knowledge and confidence in the water.

This summer, we're supporting Drowning Prevention Week with a programme designed to help children, families, and communities stay safe and enjoy the water responsibly.

What’s happening this summer?

Throughout our Summer Water Safety, we’ll be delivering a range of activities across Doncaster, including:

What's On

Drowning Prevention Week June 13-20

An average of 328 UK and Irish citizens lose their lives to accidental drowning EVERY YEAR.

The Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) works tirelessly to educate people to enjoy water safely, to keep their families and friends safe, and to know what to do in an emergency.

Doncaster Culture & Leisure Trust is proud to support DPW (Drowning Prevention Week) and encourages everyone to get involved and learn more. Check out the activities in the tabs to see how you can take part.

Learn how to keep you and your family safe with our water safety advice.

RLSS Website
Free swim assessments
Not sure which swimming class is right for your child?

Whether your child is starting their swimming journey or returning to lessons after a break, our free swim assessment sessions can help.

Led by one of our experienced swim instructors, these short sessions give your child the chance to get in the water while we assess their ability and recommend the most suitable class and stage for them.

Sessions take place at the following centres, please register your interste below:
- Saturday 4 July: Askern Leisure Centre from 3-4 pm
- Sunday 5 July: Armthorpe Leisure Centre from 4-5 pm
- Sunday 5 July: Dearne Valley Leisure Centre from 4-5 pm
Water safety sessions
Help your family stay safe around water this summer.

Community water safety sessions:
Sunday 5 July; Askern Leisure Centre 1.30-3 pm

Sunday 5 July; Armthorpe 2-3 pm

Sunday 5 July; Dearne Valley LC: 3-4 pm
Designed for children and families, these sessions will cover essential skills and practical safety advice to keep safe in the water this summer.

CPR demonstrations at The Dome

Come along and meet Annie, our CPR training dummy, at the Lagoons reception area at The Dome.

Saturday 13 June and Saturday 4 July:

Saturday 4 July: 10am - 3pm

Our team will demonstrate simple, practical CPR skills and show how you can help save a life in an emergency. There will be plenty of opportunities to have a go and ask questions.

Everyone is welcome, whether you're coming to swim with us at the Lagoons or want to learn some skills with your children, which could make a real difference.
Community events and competitions
Find us at local summer events including:
Lakeside Village Outlet; Saturday 13 June
Askern Summer Fair; Saturday 13 June
Norton Summer Fair; Sunday 28 June
Families can enjoy games, activities, and competitions, with chances to win swimming vouchers to our Swim 4 All, children’s inflatable sessions, and our Lagoons at the Dome.
Competition

Pick a colouring sheet or draw us your favourite place to swim safely, and you could win an amazing prize! It's the perfect activity to get the kids ready for summer.

You could win family passes for: Swim 4 All, Big Splash, ice skating, and bowling

Download the sheets here

Once the masterpiece is complete, email competitions@dclt.co.uk a scan or photo and send along with the child's name and age and parents name and contact details to enter.

Even better send us a photo of your child with their artwork and we will share them on our social media with your consent to show others what they have done!
Where you can swim with us this summer
- Swim 4 All sessions: perfect for casual swimming and family fun
- Inflatable sessions: indoor obstacle course for competent swimmers aged 8 to 15.
- Doncaster Aquapark at Hatfield: open-water outdoor inflatable course on Hatfield lake
- The Lagoons at the Dome: Newly refurbished pool with fast-flowing rapids, fountains, and massive water slides.
Choose Swim
Choose our swimming lessons

With lessons available for babies, pre-school, school-age, and adults across the city of Doncaster.
- Adwick Wellbeing & Leisure Hub
- Armthorpe Leisure Centre
- Askern Leisure Centre
- Dearne Valley Leisure Centre
- Rossington Leisure Centre
- The Dome
- Thorne Wellbeing & Leisure Hub
Choose Swim Lessons
Summer intense swim lessons

Looking to fast-track your child’s swimming skills?

Our summer intensive swim lessons are running throughout the school holidays!

Designed to boost confidence, improve technique, and teach vital water safety, these daily sessions are the perfect way to make big waves in a short amount of time.

5-day intense courses, these will take place at the following centres, initially for the first 3 weeks of the school holidays.

Armthorpe

9.15-9.45 and 9.45-10.15

Askern

9.15-9.45 and 9.45-10.15

Thorne

9.15-9.45 and 9.45-10.15

Cost will be £40.00 per course

Enquire here
Coming soon...

Youth swimming program for ages 11-15

We are excited to launch our brand-new youth swimming program designed for teens and pre-teens. Whether they are starting from scratch or refining techniques, our lessons provide a supportive environment tailored to older children ages 11-15, with Stages 1-7 and Challenge Awards available.

Register your interest today!

Spaces will be limited. Fill out the short form below to be the first to know when booking officially opens.

Register here

Why water safety matters

Sadly, water-related incidents can happen close to home, and the risks are real.

By learning simple skills such as how to float, recognising hidden dangers and knowing how to respond in an emergency, we can help prevent accidents and save lives.