1,650 benefit from Learn to Swim programme in Carmarthenshire

More than 1,650 children took part in the council’s Learn to Swim programme every week last year in Carmarthenshire leisure centres.
Llanelli Leisure Centre supported 550 children, Carmarthen 650 and Ammanford 450 through the life saving scheme.
The council’s sport and leisure team delivered a staggering 79,500 lessons - 26,500 in Llanelli, 31,200 in Carmarthen and 21,600 in Ammanford.
Under the county’s school programme, 600 children swum every day with 117,000 lessons delivered in 2013.
Sadly, drowning is the third most common form of accidental death in children, so being able to swim is an essential life skill.
Parents are being urged to take action and put their children through the swimming scheme.
The programme is fun, progressive and designed to be a continuous journey through aquatics.
Children of any age, size or ability can take part . The idea is to teach every child to swim and achieve stage 6 of the national teaching plan by the age of 11 using the latest digital technology. As children move from stage to stage and become more confident, the skills become more challenging and they are introduced to new skills as they become better.
The council’s executive board member for regeneration and leisure, Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “It’s so important that children learn to swim. It is fun, provides health benefits and could save a child’s life. Aqua Sir Gâr has something for everyone, with opportunities for parent and baby, right the way through to our more experienced swimmer.”
For more info visit www.actifsirgar.co.uk