Recent incidents of Belgian children and teenagers drowning are raising concerns about the standard of swimming skills among young people in Belgium.
Globally, drowning is one of the leading causes of death among children aged between one and four years old, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) – which called drowning a "silent public health threat." Each year, Belgium records around 70 drownings
Just this weekend, a boy from a Brussels family is believed to have drowned after an inflatable boat capsized off the coast in France. Around the same time last year, similar worries were also voiced after two teenagers drowned just days apart.
While there are plenty of initiatives in place to get young people swimming, time constraints with school schedules and limited access to swimming pools mean that the swimming skills of young people in the country are suffering.
Schools are experiencing significant difficulties organising swimming lessons, according to Tine Sleurs, who trains future physical education teachers at UCLL: either they are struggling with the increased cost, or it is becoming increasingly difficult for them to use the time for lessons efficiently.
In recent years, some municipalities across Belgium closed their swimming pools, resulting in schools having to move further and provide bus transport to cover that distance (which, in turn, costs extra money). As a result, schools are cutting back: some choose to consolidate all swimming hours into specific grades, others eliminate swimming hours throughout primary school.
Where can you (learn to) swim in Brussels?
With the FLOW open-air swimming pool closing earlier this year, there are now 17 public swimming pools in Brussels, spread across its various municipalities. With a variety of facilities, from Olympic-sized pools to paddling areas for toddlers, the pools provide a great setting for swimming, relaxing, or learning to swim – whether you are a beginner or an experienced swimmer.
Of these pools, 15 are managed by the municipalities. The Ceria swimming pool in Anderlecht is managed by the Commission Communautaire Française (COCOF), while the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) manages the university pool at VUB. Lastly, the Belgian state oversees the pool at the Royal Military Academy, although it is reserved for students and clubs.
In the City of Brussels (Brussels 1000), there are three swimming pools: the pool of the Centre, the swimming pool of Laeken, and the swimming pool of Neder-Over-Heembeek.
Central swimming pool. Credit: City of Brussels
While the latter two might be a bit further away, the Art Deco pool in Brussels city centre is located in the heart of the Marolles district. It has five dedicated lanes for people learning to swim and is open every day. Designed by architect Maurice Van Nieuwenhuyse in 1953, the pool stands out for its unique layout and is classified as a heritage site in Brussels.
In Etterbeek, there is the Espadon swimming pool. In addition to a long waterslide, a paddling pool and a large 25-metre pool, the pool also offers a 14-metre long learning pool, with six dedicated lanes.
Located at the crossroads of Ixelles, Etterbeek, and Auderghem, the swimming pool at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) campus is open to everyone – regardless of affiliation with the VUB community. The facility includes two pools: a big one and a smaller one with a movable floor, enabling a variety of activities such as aqua aerobics and swimming lessons.
A true gem of Brussels' heritage, the Ixelles municipal swimming pool reopened in December 2024 after a long renovation period (which began in September 2019). Built in 1904 and classified as a heritage site since 2007, it is the oldest swimming pool in the Brussels-Capital Region and one of the first in Europe constructed with reinforced concrete.
Credit: Ixelles swimming pool
The Triton swimming pool, located in Evere, is part of a versatile sports centre, featuring a 25-metre swimming pool and an 18-metre learning pool. The centre, supported by the municipality, stands out for its affordable rates and friendly atmosphere.
For those living in Schaerbeek, the Neptunium public swimming pool is located between the Josaphat Park and the Schaerbeek town hall. The pool reopened in September 2023 and stands out with its 33-metre swimming pool, which also includes a learning pool.
In Molenbeek, the Louis Namèche swimming pool was recently renovated and features an Olympic-sized 50-metre pool with eight lanes, as well as a 16-metre learning pool. However, the pool does not offer a paddling area for young children.
Saint-Josse pool. Credit: Saint Josse
The municipal swimming pool of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode, also known as the Saint-François pool, is an Art Deco gem dating back to 193 that is open seven days a week. In case of high attendance (school groups, for example), at least two swimming lanes are always kept available for the public.
Close to the National Basilica of the Sacré-Cœur de Koekelberg, the Nereus swimming pool in Ganshoren features a 25-metre main pool with six lanes and a 14-meter learning pool, perfect for young children and beginners.
A bit further from the city centre, there are also the swimming pool of the Ceria sports complex in Anderlecht, the Poseidon swimming pool in Woluwe-Saint-Lambert, the Sportcity pool in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, the Calypso 2000 pool in Watermael-Boitfort and the Lonchamp pool in Uccle.
