BBC - Devon Community Life - Swimming For All

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28 October 2014

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All Going Swimmingly

Swimming is affordable, sociable and healthy

When was the last time you visited your local swimming pool? Why haven't you been for so long?

If you've ever experienced a fear for water or think it's too late to try something new……think again!

LISTEN

BBC RADIO DEVON

Listen to 'swimming and swimmers' from BBC Radio Devon. The series features open water swimming, learning to swim and social swimming.

SEE ALSO

Imaginative music-making from the Drake Music Project

Unusual footage from Devon's past

Barbara's got herself back on her feet

WEB LINKS

Amateur Swimming Association

The Swimming Teachers Association

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites.

FACTS

Try water aerobics as one of your fitness sessions - exercising in the water is fun and refreshing.

It's also safer than working out on land as the water supports your weight, which is great for rehabilitation as well as for pregnant women and the elderly.

Classes are available for adults and children and to quote an old saying 'it's never to late to learn'.

After all, swimming is a sport you could be doing into a ripe old age.

The ancient Greeks were very enthusiastic about swimming.

The philosopher Plato said men who didn't know how to swim were uneducated, and a Greek put-down of the time was to describe someone as a person who '... knew neither how to run nor how to swim'.

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Your local swimming pool is offering a diverse range of activities that you're probably not even aware of.

Water offers the chance for you to do something fun, keep you healthy, meet lots of new people and provides a unique experience for people with special needs or health issues.

The majority of swimming pools around Devon have a similar ethos.

Listen to Devon swimmers

Whether you're 3 or 105, you can learn to swim safely under the supervision of a qualified instructor or under the watchful eye of a trained lifeguard. Whatever your age or ability there is something to suit everyone.

Aquafit - pools are not just for swimming

A constant favourite at many pools around Devon are the 'Over 50s' classes. These offer the chance to not only keep fit but act as a social meeting point for many people.

Many 50+ swim classes also include added perks such as relaxing music while you swim and free coffee at the end of your session.

However, if your level of confidence in the water isn't quite up to that, then 'Aquafit' may be for you. Practically every pool in Devon offers an 'Aquafit' class.

These classes are carried out in waist deep water so even if you can't swim you can still take part and work towards reducing your tension and stress levels.

Healthy and fun - swimming needn't be a chore

Similarly if you feel any health concerns are holding you back but you would like a new challenge, there are many alternative classes available.

Devon offers a wide ranging collection of affordable, sociable and esteem building swimming activities that aim to overcome all of these barriers. There is clearly something for everyone. So what are you waiting for? 'Go take a dip'.

To find out where your local pool is and what they can offer in the way of lessons and fun activities - please call the BBC Radio Devon Helpline on 01752 255500 or 01392 490200 weekdays from 9am-5pm

And listen in to 'swimming and swimmers' on BBC Radio Devon from Monday 29th September, on Good Morning Devon.

The series will feature open water swimming, learning to swim and social swimming.