PRE-SCHOOL children are being offered the opportunity to have swimming lessons during the summer holidays.
The National Sports Centre (NSC) is starting Nemo classes aimed at children who are starting school in September.
Pauline Glennon, swimming lesson co-ordinator at the NSC, said: "We have around 700 children of all ages participating in swimming lessons at the NSC during term time plus classes for mothers and babies from six months.
"However we are aware there is a group of children who may not have been able to attend if their parents work full-time and the Nemo class has been arranged to cater for them."
Classes will be held on alternate Saturdays at 10am from July 30 for children starting primary school in September and from August 6 for those starting school in September 2012. They cost £4 per half hour session and these are bookable in advance.
The waiting list for all swimming lessons starting in September is also open. There are currently vacancies in the pre-school classes which are held from 12pm to 1.30pm on weekdays and there is availability on most Saturday classes including beginners, improvers and advanced.
Additionally parents can book a week long swimming crash-course for primary school children which costs £23.25. These run each week of the school holidays at either 9am to 9.30am or 9.30am to 10am. There are limited places available in the 9am sessions for children starting primary school in September this year.
Pauline added: "The NSC is a centre of excellence with all swimming teachers fully qualified to national teaching standards. Some of the children who learned to swim here went on to take the rookie lifeguard lessons and some have returned as employed lifeguards. Whatever level you are at swimming lessons are a good way to have fun while exercising.
"Swimming is a life skill, essential for people living on an Island, and has the benefit of not being an expensive sport requiring only a swimming costume. It’s not elitist or competitive but is good for fitness and for family fun especially coming into holiday season."
For more information or to make a booking please telephone 01624 688588 or visit www.gov.im/sport/nsc/swimming/lessons.xml
