When 2020 began, Umeå swimming club, USS, had a record number of children in swimming school.
- We have never had as many participants and groups as we had then, says sports director Camilla Johansson-Sponseller.
Then came the pandemic and many swimming pools closed or before the maximum number in the premises.
Many parents then lost the opportunity to go swimming with their children.
Turning to private swimming schools has been a way to teach children to swim and give them the opportunity to swim.
But it has been difficult to find a place there.
- The Pandemic Act meant that we had to have fewer swimmers on the premises, which meant fewer places in the swimming school, says Camilla Johansson-Sponseller.
"Long time in a young person's life"
The restrictions have meant that the association has about 400 fewer participants than usual.
There is also great concern that some young people may stop swimming when they have not been allowed to compete or go to camp for a year and a half.
- It's a long time in a young person's life, and it just goes on.
We still do not know when we will be able to run championships and competitions, says Camilla Johansson-Sponseller.
Hear in the clip why younger children have a hard time getting a place in the swimming school and what you can do as a parent to stay safe with the children by the water.