Success of Swimsation Means Expansion

Term One of the new school year will see the introduction of the learn to swim franchise, Swimsation, at three Manukau City Council pools.

Council will be introducing Swimsation at the Manurewa Pool, Norman Kirk Memorial Pool in Otara and Moana Nui A Kiwa pool in Mangere. Free introductory swimming lessons are being offered to pre-schoolers and adults between 27 and 31 January 2004. All participants will receive a $5 voucher towards the cost of term one swimming lessons.

Trialed at the Papatoetoe Centennial Pools since the beginning of 2002, the programme has already taught over 1400 children the valuable life skill of swimming.

Council's leisure manager Brett Jude says that they hope the programme will help improve water safety and swimming skills of children in the Manukau community.

"Too many children do not know how to swim, resulting in drowning being one of the leading causes of accidental death in young children in New Zealand. Adults too should have a basic level of swimming skills to ensure they are also safe in the water.

"Swimsation brings together the best features of a number of swim schools from around New Zealand. This package will continue to lift our service and expertise that we provide to our customers," says Mr Jude.

The Swimsation programmes are just as the name sounds - simple, positive and fun. "Kids and adults learn survival and swimming skills and the dangers associated with aquatic activities. The structured and fun learning programme also helps develop the self-esteem and confidence of participants," he says.

The franchise is a total package - swimming coaching, administration systems, staff development, training and marketing systems. "Council purchases the use of the system and runs it using our own trained staff."

Those wishing to take up the free introductory lessons should phone the pool to book - times and days differ at each facility.

Moana Nui A Kiwa 275 8979 Manurewa 267 7072 Papatoetoe 278 4167 Otara 274 6917

© Scoop Media