Learning to swim is not a sport, it’s an education in valuable life skill that’s a basis for recreation, fitness and survival.
Once a learner is a strong and competent swimmer they can decide whether to pursue swimming related sports.
Until they reach that point, the team at Geelong Aquatic Centre (GAC) believes it’s their responsibility to ensure learning is continuous and progressive.
“Children thrive on routine,” GAC advises.
“If swimming lessons are regular and ongoing, they become familiar with the pool and instructors and develop valuable skills. They will enjoy lessons so much that they will want to attend regularly and year round.
“Studies have shown that children who do continue their lessons year-round achieve better results than those who only attend intermittently. They are also fitter, stronger and better able to resist colds and flu’s over the winter months.”
GAC provides the ideal winter fitness pursuit: swimming in a warm, indoor pool that protects children from the elements.
“Year-round swimming is actually recommended for asthmatics, and many of our famous swimmers took up swimming as a treatment for their asthma,” CAC says.
“A warm hat, clothes and shoes are recommended to ensure that they are protected from the elements when they leave the centre.”
Australia’s wonderful beaches, many inland waterways and ever-increasing number of backyard spas and pools will always attract children.
“With many school camping programs containing water-based activities, it’s very important children feel confident in and around water so not only can they participate completely, but with confidence and enjoyment,” GAC says.
“GAC is a dedicated Learn to Swim centre and is ideally set up to cater for school’s intensive swimming programs.”
Geelong Aquatic Centre’s two 25-metre pools and learner’s pool are salt chlorinated and heated. Students have exclusive use of the pools and the centre’s changing facilities for each pool.
Because the facilities are indoors, no days are missed due to inclement weather and the possibility of sunburn is removed.
The centre has a large lecture room for grouping children before and after classes. Staff from visiting schools have only to supervise buses and changing rooms.
All GAC staff are AUSTSWIM trained and qualified.
GAC’s school co-ordinator completes all the grouping and assessment of the children.
All children receive a certificate at completion of the course.
The centre keeps year-by-year records of all participants, which are sent to schools.
GAC caters for children with special needs and for entire schools in any block of two more weeks or more, along with school swimming carnivals.
Plentiful and appropriate equipment for all levels is available, along with a new Survival of the Fittest program for children who have completed at least level four. Survival of the Fittest gives participants a chance to take part in a fun, competitive program including survival skills and rescues.
