Toward Inclusive Swimming Education: Proposing School Swimming Instruction Methods to Empower Both Teachers and Students

Renaissance Inc. (Headquarters: Sumida-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Misao Mochizuki; hereinafter "the Company") will host a free online seminar on June 22, 2026, for municipal governments, schools, and swimming professionals, titled "Exploring the Possibilities for Realizing Inclusive Swimming Lessons in Schools."

Background and Objectives of the Seminar For many years, school swimming lessons have faced the issue of significant disparities in ability between students who attend private swimming schools and those who do not, often leaving less-proficient students behind.

Furthermore, the majority of school teachers, especially elementary school teachers, are not specialized in swimming instruction, leading to significant anxiety and burden regarding teaching. In recent years, issues such as aging school pools and extreme summer heat have exacerbated these problems.

This seminar features Professor Koji Wakayoshi of Osaka University of Economics, who has extensive experience teaching and researching individuals ranging from beginners to Olympic athletes. By sharing instructional methods for common hurdles like "floating, posture, and breathing," and providing practical examples of lessons where all students can learn despite disparities in ability, the goal is to realize swimming lessons that leave no one behind.

Webinar Overview - Date and Time: Monday, June 22, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM - Archived Stream Dates: June 25, July 4, and July 14, 2026.

【Program Highlights】 1. What is required in modern swimming education? 2. Practical examples to resolve instructional anxiety regarding "floating, posture, and breathing." 3. Connecting swimming lessons to safety education (e.g., using plastic bottles to teach differences between oceans and pools).

【Lecturer】Koji Wakayoshi, Professor at the Faculty of Human Sciences, Osaka University of Economics. A 1984 Los Angeles Olympic water polo participant and PhD holder in Education (University of Tokyo), he currently works toward realizing a society where everyone can swim through his developed "Flat Helper" methodology.

Company Profile Renaissance operates 330 facilities including sports clubs and rehabilitation centers. Under its long-term vision of becoming a "Well-Being Co-creation Company for the 100-Year Life Era," it provides diverse services in the health sector.