Revolutionizing School Swimming with Science! A Swimming Education Reform for Beginners to "Float and Propel"!

Professor Koji Wakayoshi of Osaka University of Economics is collaborating with the Otsu City Board of Education to reform school swimming education. His scientific method uses a newly developed swimming aid, the "Flat Helper," to help beginners easily float and swim, aiming to solve issues like student skill gaps and teacher burden.
Educational Initiative AnnouncementNQ 95/100出典：PR Times

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  • 📰 Published: May 20, 2026 at 20:00
  • 🔍 Collected: May 20, 2026 at 11:31
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Professor Koji Wakayoshi of Osaka University of Economics is partnering with the Otsu City Board of Education to introduce a new, science-based approach to school swimming. This initiative addresses numerous challenges, including the widening gap in students' swimming abilities, aging facilities, and the heavy burden on teachers, 70% of whom report anxiety about swimming instruction. The core of this reform is the "Flat Helper," a unique swimming aid developed by the professor. By wearing this device, which corrects the body's center of gravity and buoyancy, even beginners can naturally maintain a horizontal posture in the water. This allows students to quickly master floating and breathing, enabling teachers to smoothly transition to teaching swimming strokes. A practical training session for teachers in Otsu City is scheduled for May 26, 2026, to disseminate this method.

FAQ

What are the main problems with current school swimming education mentioned in the article?

The article highlights several issues: a widening gap in students' swimming abilities (polarization), aging swimming pools, high maintenance costs, weather challenges like extreme heat, and an increasing burden on teachers, with about 70% feeling anxious about teaching swimming.

What is the 'Flat Helper'?

The 'Flat Helper' is a swimming aid developed by Professor Wakayoshi. It is a pair of shorts with side pockets where buoyant materials (like foam pads or empty plastic bottles) can be inserted. It helps correct the user's center of gravity and buoyancy, allowing them to naturally and easily maintain a horizontal posture in the water.

Who is Professor Koji Wakayoshi?

He is a professor at the Faculty of Human Sciences at Osaka University of Economics, a former Olympic water polo player (Los Angeles 1984), and has been involved with the Japan Swimming Federation's Medical and Scientific Committee for over 20 years. He is an expert in swimming from research, practical, and competitive perspectives.

What is the purpose of the practical training session in Otsu City?

The session on May 26, 2026, is for elementary and junior high school teachers in Otsu. It aims to train them in the new teaching method using the 'Flat Helper' so they can confidently and effectively teach swimming, including water safety, basic strokes, and even environmental education concepts.

How effective do teachers find the 'Flat Helper' method?

According to a survey of teachers who participated in a previous training session, over 90% agreed that the swimming lessons incorporating the 'Flat Helper' were appropriate, and 90% found the 'Flat Helper' to be an effective swimming aid.

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