Germany’s public swimming pool infrastructure is facing significant challenges. Many facilities have been in operation for more than 60 years, and a growing maintenance backlog is increasingly leading to closures of aging and deteriorating pools.
Nearly 60% of Children Under 10 Are Not Confident Swimmers
As a result, there are fewer opportunities and locations where children can learn to swim. The consequences are alarming: around 60% of children under the age of ten are not considered confident swimmers. This puts them at considerable risk when spending time near lakes, rivers, or other bodies of water.
A Joint Initiative for an Important Cause
To raise awareness of this issue, the German Pool Alliance (Bäderallianz Deutschland), together with its 16 partner associations, has launched a nationwide poster campaign. Running from May 27 to June 18, 2026, the campaign can be seen throughout Germany under the slogan “Let’s Save Our Pools!”
The initiative is supported by Ströer Media Deutschland GmbH, which has provided advertising space across the country at special rates. In addition, numerous well-known companies and stakeholders from the swimming pool sector have contributed by covering the technical production costs of the campaign.
Raising Awareness Among Policymakers and the Public
The campaign addresses both the general public and political decision-makers. The German Pool Alliance is calling for approximately one billion euros in annual public funding to secure the future of the country’s swimming pool infrastructure.
The campaign is represented by Prof. Dr. Christian Kuhn, spokesperson for the German Pool Alliance, and Christian Mankel, Managing Director and Coordinator. Together, they emphasize:
“The figure may sound high, but the price we will ultimately pay if our children can no longer swim is far greater.”
More information about the campaign is available at:
www.retten-wir-die-baeder.de
