Disney-themed Frozen 2 sessions aim to get families in the pool

The Institute of Swimming (IOS) is set to continue its Disney-inspired, fun swim sessions as part of a strategy to get more families into the pool.

IOS activators will begin offering "Frozen 2"-themed classes from February 2020, hoping to utislise the huge success of the franchise, which saw the sequel rake in US$350m (£272m) in its opening weekend worldwide – beating the box office debut of the original Frozenfilm.

The sessions form part of a Swim England and Disney partnership launched in June 2019, which has seen IOS train 560 activators to deliver the sessions across the UK.

To date more than 42,000 children and parents have taken part in the 45-minute themed sessions which are running for a 12 month period across 50 leisure operators at 223 pools.

The sessions all include Swim England Core Aquatic Skills inspired by some of Disney’s most-loved characters, including Buzz and Woody from Disney Pixar’s Toy Story 4.

Initially, activators were trained through a face to face session to hone their delivery tone to fit the Disney style. Further training and character updates have been delivered through an online package, which includes videos of the activities activators can refer back to.

Additional webinars and a digital toolkit have also been created to help activators engage with the Disney characters and storytelling.

"As we develop further sessions, the IOS will work closely with Disney to create more interactive online learning that brings their family-favourite characters and stories to life," Jennifer Powell, senior marketing project manager, Swim England.

Rebecca Cox, IOS managing director, added: “These specialist child and parent sessions are designed for all the family and aimed to help parents improve their child’s confidence while having fun in the water.

"Storytelling can be a fun and powerful way to encourage children to learn and so it was critical the activators were equipped to bring these memorable characters to life in the pool.

“For example, in the Frozen 2 sessions the activators will ask swimmers to make a noodle canoe and pretend to be Anna and Olaf travelling down the river.

"The activators bring this activity to life with Frozen 2 props and images and by telling the story of Anna and Olaf navigating their ice boat across the river, linking the activity to the plot in the new film.”