Swimmers make a mile long splash for charity
MORE than 30 people swam up to a mile as part of Swim Ireland’s Swim for A Mile initiative recently in the Apex pool in New Ross.
The initiaitve aims to encourage people to get back into the pool and become confident life-long swimmers.
It began in 2014 with more than 1,000 people returning to the pool and swimming a mile. In 2016 the programme was opened to 12-16-year olds to encourage them to keep up their swimming skills and has now brought in the 800m target for those who will progress onto the mile.
A 10-week programme has been developed and can be completed on their own or as part of a specific training group with the culmination of the event. These have been ably supported by Apex centre staff, local clubs and Sports Active Wexford.
This event held at The Apex in New Ross and in Forest park Leisure Centre in Courtown. Over 30 participants of all ages took up the challenge with some only learning to swim in January and through commitment and dedication achieved the mile at the event. The programme has been designed with the World Health Organisation’s and National Physical Activity Plan’s recommended weekly physical activity in mind and so those who followed the programme have achieved these milestones. Fran Ryan of the New Ross group said: ‘It is hoped that through this programme more and more people will rediscover the priceless resources at the heart of many communities – which is the local swimming pools and clubs of Ireland.’