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Learn to swim splashes down at City pools

<div>More than 2 000 eager aqua fanatics across all ages have participated in water safety programmes at City swimming pools in recent months. More than 1 500 of these bathers were part of learn-to-swim and water safety programmes, while the rest in the older age group took part in water aerobics activities. <br></div><p><br></p>

<div>‘Our commitment to drowning prevention drives us to offer valuable swimming lessons to residents of all ages and from diverse backgrounds during the summer season when our pools are operational. Water safety is key to children understanding the danger of water and how to behave in a way that could save their lives.</div><div><br></div><div>‘And, while many of the programmes were facilitated by City lifeguards, numerous private clubs and organisations also used the facilities for their programmes. This is a wonderful example of how our swimming pools are more than just the go-to on a hot summer’s day. They are also safe spaces where critical life skills are imparted, in pursuit of public safety. Congratulations to everyone involved, and we hope to see even more of you signing up next season,’ said Councillor Patricia van der Ross, Mayoral Committee Member for Community Service and Health.<br></div><div><br></div><div><span><p><img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/learntoswim1.JPG" class="responsive" alt="" /></p></span>The learn-to-swim programme entails teaching participants essential swimming skills such as breathing techniques, floating, water treading, doggy paddle, pushing, kicking, gliding, freestyle, and water safety rules.</div><div><br></div><div>Its primary objective is to develop water safety and swimming skills to help participants become independent swimmers. </div><div><br></div><div>The long-term aim of the programme is to ensure that the public can safely enjoy swimming as a recreational activity and reduce drowning incidents through water awareness promotion and providing basic first aid education. </div><div><br></div><div>Moreover, through the Recreation and Parks Department’s Drowning Prevention Programme, it aspires to cultivate future lifeguards for the City and create employment opportunities.</div><div><br></div><div>Just last week, 150 young people from Cypress, Kewtown and Athlone North Primary Schools as well as Peak View Secondary School participated in the Athlone Swimming Pool’s annual Learn-to-Swim Fun Day – showcasing the skills they had learnt during the programme that started at the beginning of the school term. <br></div><div><br></div><div><span><p><img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/learntoswim2.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:808px;" /></p></span>Some other highlights of the past season: </div><div><ul><li>Morningstar Swimming Pool held a three-day programme during which 376 children attended</li><li>At Delft swimming Pool 40 children and 60 senior ladies attended learn-to-swim classes</li><li>Hanover Park Swimming Pool offered classes to 100 pre-school children and 120 adults weekly</li><li>Manenberg Swimming Pool offered classes to 53 pre-school children from three early childhood development centres</li><li>Parow Valley Swimming Pool attracted 70 children and 35 elderly residents to their programmes</li></ul></div><div>Swimming pools are now closed for the off-season, except for operational indoor swimming pool facilities. However, planning has already started for the next round of programmes at pools.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Caption 1: </strong>The Athlone Swimming Pool fun day was held last week and all the participants got together for a photograph at the start.</div><div><br></div><div><strong>Caption 2: </strong>These youngsters were eager to show off their water skills.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><strong>End</strong><br></div><p><br></p>

2024-04-06T22:00:00Z

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