A push to get millions of more people to hit the pool in the UK has reached a significant landmark.

At the start of the year, national governing body Swim England and leisure operator Everyone Active launched a mission to achieve 10 million swims at the leisure operator’s pools by December.

Now, the two organisations announced they have surpassed this target, achieving a total of 13,146,261 swims. The figure marks an increase of more than 1 million public swims when compared to the same period in 2018.

The pledge to achieve 10 million visits is part of a new three-year collaboration between the NGB and leisure operator, through which they are aiming to ‘create a nation of swimmers’.

Over the past 12 months, Swim England and Everyone Active have worked together to promote all forms of water-based activity, highlight the health benefits of swimming and remove barriers that prevent participation.

“For a lot of people, their local pool is where a love of swimming begins and where they develop exercise habits that will help to keep them healthy and active throughout their lives," said Jacqui Tillman, Group Manager Swim at Everyone Active.

"It’s essential that we support more people to feel these benefits and ensure they have the skills and confidence to make swimming one of their chosen leisure options."

The second year of the partnership will see the two organisations working closely with swim clubs across the country to promote swimming pathways and encourage people’s sustained involvement in the sport.