More chance for adults to learn to swim

Brian Tyro used to watch other swimmers glide through the pool and wish he had their effortless style.

Last year, the 62-year-old took the plunge and signed up for adult swimming lessons at Christchurch City Council’s Graham Condon Pool.

Brian Tyro gets some tips from Graham Condon Swim Education Co-ordinator Jackie Mander.

Instead of just managing to stay afloat, he wanted to swim a whole length of freestyle without stopping. The instructors helped him work on his breathing technique, stroke, and taught him to kick more efficiently.

“I had no proper technique. There’s no question that lessons have been really beneficial for me. The instructors showed me how to breathe properly and tilt my head instead of lifting it up. It makes all the difference between someone who glides through the water, and someone who goes through the water like an elephant.”

He strongly recommends swimming lessons to other adults who want to improve their fitness and skills.

There will be even more incentive to give it a go from May 1, when members of the Council’s Recreation and Sport Centres will be able to attend Adult Swimsmart lessons at no extra charge.

The new scheme applies to people with pool memberships or multi-memberships (pool and gym).

Council Programme and Activities Leader Kew Taggart says the change will give customers more flexibility and more opportunity to learn to swim as adults.

“It’s really important for water safety and general health and fitness that as many adults as possible are confident in the water. Council Rec and Sport Centres want to do everything we can to encourage people to take lessons. Even if you’re a reasonable swimmer already, it can be really satisfying to improve your skills and technique.”

For Mr Tyro, a flight attendant for Air New Zealand, swimming is another way to keep fit, along with running and walking. He changed his lifestyle about three years ago after realising he had put on extra weight. Within a year of improving his diet and starting to exercise regularly he had lost 17 kilograms, dropping to 77 kg.

With his new regime, he was able to achieve a personal goal of lining up for a 5 km Parkrun at Hagley Park alongside his fitness-loving children on his 60th birthday.

“If you have lessons and get the technique right, swimming becomes more enjoyable and more beneficial for your health. So it’s a win, win.”

Customers who already have a fitness membership can upgrade to a pools or multi membership if they would like to take advantage of the new offer.

There are four different types of adult lessons; for adult beginners, for those who would like to work on their breathing techniques, improve their stroke, or attend an extension class to increase their swimming distance and cardiovascular fitness.

For more information email swimsmart@ccc.govt.nz. Non-members also have the option of participating by paying the casual rate of $12.80 per lesson.