I was in a semi drunk argument with friends. My inebriated brain led me to conclude that today, a smaller percentage of people know how to swim than 2000 years ago. My theory was more people lived near the water, more people were required to go near water for survival, and swimming may have been a right of passage for many cultures. This brought up some hot debate as obviously pools and available lessons are offered and many children do take lessons. Anyone care to weigh in?
There is always more to say, but this topic has come up here a couple of times before, and you might like to review those earlier threads while waiting for fresh responses to your question:
What kind of swimming techniques would people in the 17th and 18th century use?, with u/sunagainstgold
Is it true that a lot of old-timey sailors couldn't swim? with me, u/mikedash
Sailors ability to swim in the 15th century with u/eternalkerri and u/Vampire_Seraphin