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Huge Expansion in Swimming Classes for New Pool
Saturday 28th June 2008
Swimming can help you face your fears, manage medical conditions or beat your dad in a race on holiday, that’s why the City of Durham is more than doubling the number of hours that will be devoted to learn to swim lessons when the new pool opens next month.
'As a child I nearly drowned and I have never managed to resolve my fear of water. I have missed so much fun.' (Jean, 65 years, Durham)
'I used to be able to swim before I got Diabetes but now
I have lost all my confidence and I am scared of deep
water.' (Ryan, 12 years, Durham)
Swimming can help you face your fears, manage medical
conditions or beat your dad in a race on holiday, that's
why the City of Durham is more than doubling the number
of hours that will be devoted to learn to swim lessons
when the new pool opens next month.
In fact, not only will there be twice as many chances to learn at Freeman's Quay but special 'ducklings' sessions for babies aged from 6 months will be on offer in the city for the first time.
Freeman's Quay manager Kay Smith, 'we believe everyone
should have the chance to learn to swim. From first
splash to perfecting stroke technique, it doesn't matter
why you want to learn, but it matters that you have the
chance.
Opening Freeman's Quay is giving us the perfect
opportunity to offer the widest range of lessons
possible. That's why we're doubling the number of hours
we offer to more than 44 per week, and developing our new
programme with both Durham City Amateur Swimming and
Water Polo Club and the Amateur Swimming Association.'
To help celebrate the importance of swimming the council asked residents to write in explaining why they wanted to swim and the results have been amazing.
The prize was a course of 10 lessons for 20 lucky winners, just some of whom are pictured on the accompanying photo.
For some it was a chance to banish life long fears, 'I
need to overcome my fear of water now before I am 70
years of age. That's my aim in life.'
(Alexandria, 69 years, Durham)
For others a chance to climb personal mountains, 'I have dyspraxia and I need all the help I can get.' (Joseph, 12 years, Durham)
The winners are aged from 2 ½ to 69 years and will now learn to swim when the new £12.3m pool opens in just a few weeks.