Learn to swim for free

08 March 2010

FREE swimming lessons for anyone aged over 11 will be on offer at three North Somerset pools over the next year.

Backwell Leisure Centre, Strode in Clevedon and Parish Wharf in Portishead have signed up to a scheme targeted at non-swimmers.

The idea is to boost exercise and increase people's confidence around water, with the specific aim of improving skills in the 15-17 and 60-plus age groups.

Funded by the Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the scheme is already underway in other parts of Somerset, where more than 600 people have signed up.

The county's swimming co-ordinator Emily Swain said: "The free swimming lessons have been an overwhelming success so far across Somerset and it has been fantastic to see the difference that they have made to people's lives.

"People who have never been near a swimming pool in their lives because of their fear of water are now able to swim widths on both their front and back.

"It has been an absolute pleasure to witness such transformations and I am hopeful that the scheme will have a similar impact in North Somerset."

The free lessons will give people the chance to learn some basic strokes during six-hour courses hosted by fully qualified instructors.

To book a place, contact your local swimming pool. Backwell can be reached on 01275 463726, Parish Wharf is 01275 848494, and Strode can be found on 01275 879242.