In 2024, Freiburg saw a decrease of only 40% in the number of bathers compared to its current levels.
In the picturesque city of Freiburg, Germany, summer is gearing up to be a season of swimming and sunshine. The Freiburg Prediger Foundation is offering swimming lessons for children with a migration background, aiming to reduce potential difficulties at the lakes around the city.
Swimming courses for children are currently being offered at the Freiburg Strandbad and the Freibad St. Georgen. These popular spots will soon expand to include the Lorettobad during the summer holidays. Meanwhile, the outdoor pool area of Freiburg's Westbad, a hub of summer joy, is set to open on August 14 with free admission and a colorful program.
However, not all news is positive. The dam at the southern end of Schlüchtsee, a district of Waldshut, no longer complies with current safety regulations and could potentially break. Fortunately, the dam has been reinforced with a wedge over the past two weeks and is being monitored daily. Visitors are advised not to traverse the area.
The increased attendance at Freiburg's public pools can be attributed to unfavorable weather conditions in May and July 2024, making pool visits impossible, and a heatwave in May and June 2025. As a result, the city has registered 230,000 bathers until the end of July 2025, a 60% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The managing director of Regio Baths GmbH, Matthias Müller, is optimistic about the rest of the 2025 season. He looks forward to many guests and a real highlight of the bathing season. If the weather remains favorable, he expects around 500,000 visitors by the end of the season.
After a 20-year hiatus, swimming in the outdoor area of Freiburg's Westbad is possible again. However, the area was vandalized with paint a few weeks ago but has since been repaired. The outdoor pool area was created with funding from the federal government, sponsors, and the commitment of the Westbad support association.
Registration for the swimming courses can be done via the Freiburg Swimming School. The municipality of Grafenhausen has also announced the lifting of the bathing ban just in time for the summer holidays.
As the bathing season continues, the city of Freiburg and its pools are ready to welcome visitors with open arms. The anticipation is high, and the promise of a memorable summer is within reach.
The Freiburg Swimming School offers swimming courses as part of the city's home-and-garden initiatives, promoting outdoor-living and a lifestyle focused on water activities. The increased popularity of Freiburg's pools, such as Freiburg Strandbad, Freibad St. Georgen, and Lorettobad, is transforming them into hubs for summer joy and recreation.
