Swimming-Second group of non-swimmers finish six-week course |17 April 2009

The Seychelles Swimming Association has held two sessions in its “learn to swim” programme, the first running from January 26 to March 4 and the second from March 9 until yesterday.

The first group had a total of 121 children, of whom 62 passed their final tests, and 26 adults with 21 passes. The second group had 123 children with 74 passes and 35 adults with 20 passes.

Eight instructors worked with the swimmers, taking account of each swimmer’s individual development.

The programme targeted non-swimmers from 3½ years old onwards and had people as old as 55 taking part. Coordinator Priscilla Kinloch said it has been attracting regular numbers since it was launched in 1992.

“It has been an ongoing programme since the opening of the swimming pool,” she said.

“And so far we have been getting a fair number of swimmers, although we would like to encourage more parents to join upcoming sessions and also bring their non-swimming children to learn to swim.”

Miss Kinloch said both courses ran smoothly, and the only concerns were that some of the swimmers took a little longer than expected to get water confidence. The session for the next school term will start on May 18, although there will be a two-week course during the April holidays, mainly targeting students from the southern region of Mahe.

I.H.