VICSWIM’s summer program is making a splash at Aquamoves.
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The school holiday program, which runs for three weeks starting on January 6, helps regional families access affordable swimming lessons.
Many regional towns have limited or no access to swimming lessons throughout the year, so VICSWIM brings the program to the regions to help children learn an important life skill.
These summer holidays, the program will run out of Greater Shepparton pools, including Aquamoves for all three weeks, Mooroopna Pool for the first two weeks, Tatura Pool for the third week and Merrigum Swimming Pool for the last two weeks.
VICSWIM regional manager Jess Stephens said the swimming program was really affordable for families at only $35 for a week of lessons.
“During the term, you’d pay like $17 a week, so it’s affordable, and it runs in Merrigum, Mooroopna and Tatura,” she said
“They don’t have swimming lessons ever, so for some people (this program) is the only access they have to them.”
The lessons have a major focus on water safety and stroke development, designed for children aged four to 12 years to have a full week of swimming lessons.
“There’s a major focus on water safety because this programs runs in beaches and open waters, so it’s big on safety,” Ms Stephens said.
“Each day, the swim teachers will do a safety component, which is unusual in swimming lessons. It’s touched on, but it’s a major focus in VICSWIM.
“Stroke development is always important, and we have levels A to G.
“So from beginners who have never been in water, to people who are going to do full laps up and down for the whole 30 minutes.”
Ms Stephens said the Greater Shepparton community had embraced the program, with families signing up in record numbers.
“The enrolment numbers are something we’re super proud of, and hope to continue to grow,” she said.
“If we can get more enrolments, we can open up those outer Greater Shepparton pools for more than one or two weeks at a time, but we need enrolments to open them up.”
Currently, Merrigum, Mooroopna and Tatura have a max of 28 kids each week, while Aquamoves can accommodate 86 swimming students.
VICSWIM is still taking enrolments throughout the holiday program.
If you’d like to enrol your child into VICSWIM, head tovicswim.com.au