World drowning prevention day

World Drowning Prevention Day is a global advocacy event recognised around the world on 25 July. Established by the World Health Organization (WHO), it highlights the tragic and profound impact of drowning on families and communities, as well as the life-saving solutions that prevent it.

Three people playing on the beach by the sea

Find Your Float is the National Water Safety Forum’s campaign for World Drowning Prevention Day 2025. This year, we’re encouraging as many people as possible to learn a lifesaving skill – the science-backed self-rescue technique of floating.

If you get into trouble in the water, knowing how to float can save your life. But we all float differently. By practising how to float in a safe and supported environment, you can learn what floating looks and feels like for you, helping you to be better prepared for an emergency situation.

Events and Activities

National Water Safety Forum members and partners across the UK will be organising events and activities to help people find their float from 21 to 25 July 2025. You can also find your float by visiting your nearest supervised swimming location, such as a swimming pool or lifeguarded beach.

Find your nearest lifeguarded beach

Float For Life Challenge – 21 to 25 July – Swim Design Space, Cheltenham
Find Your Float – 22 July – Atlantic College, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
Water Safety Event – 24 July – Canal Street, Manchester
Brighton Finds Its Float – 25 July – Sea Lanes, Brighton
Swim Safe – 25 July – Royal Docks, London
Water Safety Open Day – 25 July – Loch Lomond Shores, Balloch, Scotland
World Drowning Prevention Day Awareness – 25 July – Bude Sea Pool, Cornwall
Water Safety Event – 25 July – Salford Quays, Greater Manchester
Water Safety Event – 25 July – River Mersey, Stockport
Find your Float – 25 July – Llyn Padarn, Eryri, Wales
Water Safety Event – 25 July – Wellingborough Embankment, Northamptonshire
Find your Float – 25 July – Manvers Lake, Wath upon Dearne, South Yorkshire
Find your Float – 25 July – King’s Staith, York
World Drowning Prevention Day Event – 25 July – Hampton Court Palace, London
Water Safety Event – 25 July – Anderton Boat Lift, Cheshire
Swim Safe – 25 July – Llanishen and Lisvane Reservoir, Cardiff
Mass Float at the World Fire Cadet Games – 25 July – Cardiff Bay
Doing It For Dylan’s Water Safety Family Education Day – 26 July – Preston

Get involved as an organisation or leisure provider

Organise a Find Your Float event at a supervised swimming location
Include a “float” activity or demonstration as part of an existing event
Create a “how to float” video to share on social media and with your networks
Amplify the campaign message across your channels
Let us know what activity you have planned so we can help promote it: info@nationalwatersafety.org.uk

We’ve created posters, social media graphics and guidance to support your Find Your Float events and activities – download them from the bottom of this page.

How to find your float

By practising how to float at your local swimming pool, lifeguarded beach or supervised open water swimming venue, you’re better prepared for what to do in an emergency.