Making waves at Morningstar Swimming Pool
14 March 2025
More than 200 residents participated in aquatic programmes at the City of Cape Town's Morningstar Swimming Pool recently. The facility’s learn-to-swim and aqua aerobics programmes are popular with younger and senior residents.
Participants gain vital swimming skills and confidence, helping to reduce drowning risks while encouraging an active lifestyle.
‘Swimming is a life-saving skill and programmes like these ensure that more residents, especially children, have access to safe and structured lessons. By investing in water safety education, we are not only reducing the risk of drowning, but also promoting an active and healthy lifestyle within our communities," said Mayoral Committee Member for Community Services and Health, Councillor Francine Higham.
The programme was extended to seniors with aqua aerobics sessions catering to older persons.
This initiative is so popular – it has even attracted participants from senior fitness clubs as far afield as Kraaifontein.
‘It is heart-warming to see how this programme is changing lives, whether it’s a young child gaining the confidence to swim or a senior finding joy and health benefits in aqua aerobics. These sessions are about more than just swimming as they create a sense of community and well-being,’ said local Ward Councillor, Alderman Theresa Uys.
The oldest aqua aerobics participant is overjoyed at her newfound activity.
‘I never thought I’d be able to do this at my age, but this programme has given me confidence and it’s easier to move in the water. It’s also a wonderful way to stay active and meet new friends,’ said 76-year-old Elaine Adams.
As part of the broader basket of services offered by the Recreation and Parks Department, this programme focuses on water awareness and learn-to-swim.
Participants enter at the appropriate level and progress through two structured phases.
Leveraging the City’s resources for swimming and aligning with the City’s Drowning Prevention Programme, this initiative is underpinned by two key aims which are to reduce the number of drowning incidents at City swimming pools and beaches and to increase opportunities for youth to participate in aquatic activities.
Programme Details:
Aqua Aerobics for seniors (45–60+ years) takes place on Mondays and Wednesdays from 09:00 to 12:00.
Learn-to-Swim sessions for Grade R (six-year-olds) run on Mondays from 10:30 to 11:50, with three 20-minute sessions.
Grade 1 (seven-year-olds) have their sessions on Tuesdays from 10:30 to 11:50, also structured into three 20-minute sessions.
Participants start by building basic water confidence before progressing to floating, breathing techniques and essential strokes.
Through the use of swimming aids like kickboards and noodles, they gradually develop the ability to swim independently.
Parents of the Grade R and 1 learners—most of whom attend Alpha Primary School in Morningstar—have recently expressed their gratitude to the City teams and volunteers, noting a significant improvement in their children's swimming abilities and newfound confidence in and around water.
By making swimming accessible and enjoyable, Morningstar Swimming Pool is fostering a culture of water safety, fitness and community engagement—one stroke at a time.
For more information or to enrol in upcoming sessions, contact Senior Facility Officer, Lucia Mgwiji at Lucia.Mgwiji@capetown.gov.za or Facility Officer, Wesley Pretorius at Wesley.Pretorius@capetown.gov.za at Morningstar Swimming Pool.
Check with your nearest facility whether the programmes are available.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
