"OLYMPIC swimmer Duncan Goodhew has helped to launch a Merseyside scheme to encourage older people to swim.

The gold medallist kick-started the Wirral-wide Everyday Swim project at Leasowe Recreation Centre on Saturday.

Visitors were given the opportunity to meet him and get some expert tips.

New classes will be starting at leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough in January. These will include daytime Adult Learn To Swim classes and Aquajogging sessions.

Free sessions of aqua-aerobics are being offered to the over 50s. Grandparent and grandchild swimming sessions are also on offer. The project is being run by co-ordinator Fiona Pantrich."

(Via Olympic medallist makes a splash as swimming project launched - Liverpool Daily Post.co.uk: .)

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| school swimming | 12 December 2007; 2:24:11 AM |# | | Discuss |

"Taking place from today, it is the latest extension to lessons the Council has funded after it recognised it was the lack of opportunity rather than ability preventing some children from learning how to swim.

Bradford Council has seen the number of young swimmers who achieve the Key Stage 2 standard rise over the last four years from 3,570 in 2003 to 4,523 in 2007 - an increase of almost 27 per cent.

Bradford Council's executive member for environment and culture, Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, said: 'The ability to swim is such an important life skill and it is really important we give youngsters opportunities to learn, which is why we have added the Christmas sweep-up to our school swimming programme.

'Providing additional swimming lessons for school children is a priority within our b active campaign and during our last sweep-up in July, over 200 pupils achieved the Key Stage 2 standard."

(Via Council Gives Gift Of Extra Swim Lessons (from Bradford Telegraph and Argus): .)

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| school swimming | 12 December 2007; 2:23:58 AM |# | | Discuss |

We spotted this. With a jigsaw once you have the edges and the corners everything starts to speed up.

"'We have seen improvements in the numbers of children learning to swim and achieving the required standard but we also need to look to providing talented pupils with the opportunity to develop swimming through close links between schools and local clubs. The work emerging on schools competitions will help towards this.'"

(Via SwimWest ASA to build on School Swimming Report / News / Home - ASA South West: .)

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| school swimming | 22 November 2007; 2:23:14 AM |# | | Discuss |