The owner of a sports club in Jordan has said that there has been an increase in demand for swimming lessons among Syrian refugees. Sharif, the owner, was at first confused as to why the Syrians were only taking swimming lessons at the club, however soon realized they were preparing for the perilous journey across the sea to Europe.

Sharif—not his real name—told Al-Ghad news that families with children, and even the elderly are taking lessons.

“Usually we close the swimming pools during the winter, but after seeing how many people signed up for swimming courses, most of them being Syrian refugees, we kept the courses available,” he said.

“We welcome men at a specific time, and women and a different time, and I’m the supervisor of registering people for swimming lessons. I’ve noticed that with the families [of Syrian refugees] the father will take his sons at the right time, and the mother will take her daughters. We also have a few times for elderly people as well.”

An unnamed official from another Jordanian sports club noted that he too had seen an increase in Syrian families learning how to swim.

Al-Ghad also spoke to one of the refugees, who noted that learning to swim is just a precaution, and that he knows it may not save his life in the sea if the boat capsizes.