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YMCA’s Learn To Swim Classes Helping Aussie Kids Prepare For First YMCA Swimathon

Tuesday, 17th January 2012

YMCA’s Learn To Swim Classes Helping Aussie Kids Prepare For First YMCA Swimathon

Parents can help ensure their children are safe and happy in the water while also helping them prepare for Australia’s biggest pool-based swim, the YMCA Swimathon, by enrolling them in a Learn to Swim program at their local ‘Y’ at the start of the school year.

Not-for-profit community organisation the YMCA is the largest provider of aquatic and leisure management in Australia and teaches more than 40,000 Australians to swim each year through its national AquaSafe program which is run out of more than 100 Y-managed or owned pools across the country.

YMCA CEO Ron Mell said the Y’s industry-leading AquaSafe program arms participants with the skills needed to safely enjoy water-based activities, such as the inaugural YMCA Swimathon fundraiser event to be held on 11 March this year.

“The YMCA’s leading Learn to Swim program provides Australians with the opportunity to learn essential water safety skills such as how to improve swimming strokes and techniques, as well as a chance to improve confidence and set swimming goals,” he said.

“With Back to School classes commencing soon across the country, enrolling your child is an ideal way to get them ready to dive in and help out at the Y’s first national Swimathon.

“We’re encouraging as many Australians as possible to take part in the event which will see more than 100 YMCA-managed pools countrywide simultaneously host Australia’s biggest pool-based swim.”

To enter, simply head to www.ymcaswimathon.org.au or a local YMCA pool to sign up and start fundraising. Registration is free and will be open up until the day of the Swimathon (11 March).

Each participant is required to commit to a distance they wish to swim as well as a fundraising target depending on their age, such as $10 for under-fives or $50 for those aged 18 and above.

People of all ages and swimming abilities, including families, are encouraged to get involved.

“It’s sure to be a terrific opportunity for the broader community to come together for a day of healthy activity while raising awareness about benefits of possessing swimming skills, and importantly, raising money for YMCA benevolent programs in each Centre’s local community,” Mr Mell added.

The YMCA’s AquaSafe program coincides with the start of the school term. With the new school year just around the corner, parents are encouraged to get in touch with their local Y and sign up their children today.

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