Over 3,000 people are taking part in swimming lessons across Gedling Borough Council leisure centres, the highest number of participants since the centres opened.

Over half of the swimmers are using Arnold Leisure Centre for lessons, which is seeing its highest membership in its 40 year history. More than 1,500 babies, young children and adults are taking part in lessons ranging from basic water safety awareness to competitive swimming. Swimming lessons are an essential part of a child’s development as it teaches them important skills around water safety and drowning prevention, while also keeping them active.
A wide range of lessons for all ages and abilities are being offered at the three leisure sites, Arnold, Carlton Forum and Calverton. The lessons start at the earliest stages with baby and toddler sessions, junior and programmes for people with disabilities right up to adult lessons and private lessons.

The Gedling Swim Stars programme helps children aged 4 and above to progress with their swimming skills through various stages while achieving Swim England badges at each stage. Children who take part in the Gedling Swim Stars programme from stage 3 upwards will be celebrated at a special swimming gala at Arnold Leisure Centre this month.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said:

“We’re thrilled to have so many people currently signed up to swimming lessons within the borough, and we are seeing the highest number of participants we have ever had taking to the pools at our three centres. As a council, we are very proud to be able to provide affordable swimming lessons that will help keep people healthy as well as providing a vital survival skill. One of our main priorities is to provide opportunities for people to have healthier lifestyles and to support physical activities and, despite us working through a pandemic, we are meeting those priorities with these schemes.”

Parent of two children enrolled in swimming lessons, Dan Surgey said: “My son first started coming to swimming lessons at Arnold Leisure Centre about 5 years ago in the disability sessions. He loves it and the instructors have all been great with him. My daughter also recently started swimming again and has progressed into stage two sessions.
Swimming is a life skill, you really need to know how to swim because you never know what might happen. They’re both happy and like coming to the lessons, plus it helps keeps them active”.

To find out more about swimming lessons and how to take part in them, people can visit www.gedling.gov.uk/leisure or call one of the leisure centres. Anyone who signs up for swimming lessons in December will also be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a children’s party at one of the leisure centres.