The free sessions will be available for all swimmers aged 26 and under from Monday, 29 June until Friday, 7 August.
Free family swimming sessions will also allow up to two parents or carers to accompany children and young people in the water.
East Lothian Council and Enjoy Leisure are providing this free access from 11am each day during normal public swimming times at five pools in the county - Aubigny Sports Centre in Haddington, Mercat Gait Centre in Prestonpans, Dunbar Leisure Pool, Musselburgh Sports Centre and North Berwick Sports Centre.
The council and Enjoy Leisure are using a £243,000 award from the £20 million Summer of Sport national initiative - which is funded by the Scottish Government and facilitated by sportscotland - to cover the costs.
The free swims are aimed at reducing barriers to participation in sport so more young people have the chance to stay healthy and active.
In addition, East Lothian’s Active Schools and Sports Development teams will be supporting young people to develop their coaching skills, deliver extracurricular activities in schools which currently have limited provision, and ensure every primary school has access to enhanced activity opportunities between August 2026 and March 2027.
Increase participation
Councillor Colin McGinn, East Lothian Council’s Cabinet spokesperson for Community Wellbeing, said: “With Scotland’s qualification for the World Cup and the 2026 Commonwealth Games being held in Glasgow, sport is going to be at the centre of national life this summer.
“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with Enjoy Leisure to support the Scottish Government’s Summer of Sport initiative to increase participation, remove barriers, and strengthen community wellbeing across the county. We hope free swimming will enable young people to benefit from our excellent local facilities while inspiring them to stay active well beyond the summer months.”
Bill Axon, Chief Executive of Enjoy Leisure, said: "As a charity, Enjoy Leisure is committed to ensuring activity is as accessible as possible for East Lothian communities and visitors.
“We know that the rising cost of living continues to put pressure on families, so initiatives like the Summer of Sport programme are incredibly important.
“With this funding, we’re looking forward to welcoming lots of happy faces into our swimming pools and facilities across the county this summer. This initiative has the added benefits, apart from being free, of promoting health and wellbeing in a fun and safe water-based environment.”
Inclusive and accessible
Summer of Sport is allocating funding to local authorities across the country to help them encourage participation in their local area by providing free and low-cost sport and activities for children and young people.
Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “At sportscotland, we believe that sport has the power to strengthen communities and change lives. The 2026 Summer of Sport campaign, made possible by Scottish Government investment, is a great example of what can be achieved when partners come together with a shared ambition to make sport more inclusive and accessible.
“We’re proud to play our part in helping more young people enjoy the benefits of being active as we celebrate a fantastic summer of sport.”
For more information about the free swimming and other Summer of Sport activities, please visit https://www.activeeastlothian.co.uk/get-active/summer-of-sport-investment-104