SUFFOLK SWIM WEEKEND OFFERS ACCESS TO ALL
People in Suffolk are being given the opportunity to get
in the swim through Everyday Swim's Suffolk Swim Weekend running
from 9-10 June. The pioneering project, led by the Amateur
Swimming Association (ASA) and funded by Sport England, aims
to break down the barriers of participation in swimming to
affect a culture change across the country to get more people
in the pool, and Suffolk Swim Weekend will target all people
in the area. Regardless of age and ability, Suffolk Swim Weekend
will give people the opportunity to get active in the pool
for a taster session around the county.
Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Strategic Partnership and
Suffolk Sport, is coordinating the first ever Suffolk Swim
Weekend with the help of the ASA. Activities vary at each
participating pool, from family fun sessions to lifesaving
and snorkelling lessons. Most sessions are free but anyone
wishing to take part in the adult learn-to-swim sessions should
book in advance as demand is expected to be high and spaces
are limited. Up to one in five adults in the UK are unable
to swim and statistics show a significant fall in participation
swimming when people reach the age of 45. Many adults stop
swimming when their children become independent enough to
go swimming on their own, while a large number of adults never
learn to swim because they didn't have the opportunity at
a younger age. Swimming is one of the few forms of exercise
that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and is not weight-bearing
so it can benefit all as it is not dependent on fitness or
physical ability. Former Olympic swimming champion and Everyday
Swim Ambassador Duncan Goodhew will be touring the county
for the Suffolk Swim Weekend to join in the fun and introduce
local people to the benefits of swimming.
"The Suffolk Swim Weekend is a fantastic opportunity
for local people to find out what the county's pools have
to offer," said Duncan. "There are so many activities
going on in all seven districts, there's something for everyone
no matter what your swimming ability. "If you can't swim
or lack confidence in swimming the Suffolk Swim Weekend is
a great opportunity to find out what you're missing. I count
myself lucky because I learnt to swim as a child but many
people never had the chance. Around one in five adults can't
swim but if enough people sign up for the taster lessons we
can reduce that figure in Suffolk and get more people into
the pool for fun, fitness and good health." Councillor
Graham Newman, Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for
Adult and Community Services wants as many people in the area
to get involved in the event. "Suffolk Swim Weekend provides
an excellent opportunity for the people of Suffolk to reignite
their enthusiasm and appreciation of swimming and other pool
activities," "We have some great swimming facilities
in the county and I would encourage individuals and families
to get involved. By taking the plunge this weekend we all
have the opportunity to make a positive impact on our general
health and well being, and of course enjoy ourselves with
friends and families."
Participating venues are as follows:
Kingfisher Leisure Centre, Station Road, Sudbury, Suffolk,
CO10 2SU Tel: 01787 375656 Hadleigh Swimming Pool, Stonehouse
Road, Hadleigh, Suffolk, IP7 5BH, Tel: 01473 823470 Mildenhall
Swimming Pool, Recreation Way, Mildenhall, Suffolk IP28 7HG,
Tel: 01638 712515 www.forest-heath.gov.uk (for the most up-to-date
programs) Newmarket Swimming Pool, 218 High Street, Newmarket,
Suffolk CB8 9AP, Tel: 01638 661736 www.forest-heath.gov.uk
(for the most up-to-date programs) Crown Pools, Crown Street,
Ipswich, IP1 3JA, Tel: 01473 433655 www.ibcsport.co.uk Bury
St Edmunds Leisure Centre, Beetons Way, IP33 3TT, Tel: 01284
753496 www.acleisure.com Haverhill Leisure Centre, Ehringshausen
Way, Suffolk, CB9 OER Tel: 01440 702548 www.acleisure.com
Mid Suffolk Leisure Centre, Gainsborough Road, Stowmarket,
IP14 1LH, Tel: 01449 674980 Waveney Sports & Leisure Centre,
Water Lane, Lowestoft, Tel: 01502 569116 Waveney Valley Pool,
St. John's Hill, Bungay, Tel: 01986 895014 Felixstowe Leisure
Centre, The Sea Front, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 2AE,Tel:
01394 670411 www.felixstoweleisurecentre.co.uk
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