Meath children earn their swimming stripes at Aura

News released: 13th November 2009

Celebration was the order of the day at Aura Leisurelink Navan on Friday afternoon last, when 163 children graduated from the centre’s Swim Academy.

The children, all aged between 4 and 14 years, were presented with certificates following their completion of the 10-week swim programme and were joined on the day by their proud parents and families. The children graduated from 8 different levels of the academy which range from the beginner’s level the Turtles, right up to the most advanced level the Sharks.

“We were delighted that so many children completed the course, which was as much about having fun as it was about learning to swim and improving their swimming skills,” said Josephine Pepper, Aura Eastern Regional Manager.

Each of the graduates was presented with a commemorative certificate by Aura Leisurelink Navan Swim Coordinator, Catherine Lynch and her qualified swim instructors, who all brought the children through the swim programme.

Word of the success of the ‘Swim Academy’ has travelled fast and parents from all over the area have started to enrol their children for the next set of lessons, which are scheduled to get underway in the next few weeks.

Those parents interested in enrolling their children in Aura’s ‘Swim Academy’ are advised to contact the centre as soon as possible as places are filling up fast. Enrolment costs €73 for the 10-week session and all Aura members receive a 10% discount.

There was also further reason to celebrate at Aura Trim last week when the first graduates of the ‘Rookie Lifeguard’ Bronze course received their badges and certificates.

Over 24 children from the town and surrounding areas have passed through the bronze level of the programme and are now expecting to progress to the silver level of the course.

The students will be put through their paces by qualified instructors who will help them progress through the three required levels of the programme. Children completing all three stages will then go on to graduate as fully qualified Rookie lifeguards.

“A lot of work goes into ensuring that the course is both educational and fun. The bronze level teaches students the basic principles of water safety and essential life saving swim strokes while also helping them to identify pool and water aids,” explained Josephine.

“The silver level will challenge them a little more and will improve their overall swimming fitness and stamina. Most importantly students will be taught how to respond to an emergency and throughout the duration of the course we will stage a number of simulated rescues to teach them how to react in these situations,” she added.

The ‘Rookie Lifeguard’ Silver course has just got underway at Aura Trim. Classes take place every Thursday evening at 6 p.m. The ten week course is aimed at children aged 8-16 years and costs €80.

For further information about the Aura ‘Swim Academy’ or the ‘Rookie Lifeguard’ course contact Aura Navan at 046 9079950 or contact Aura Trim at 046 9438730