Aura ‘Swim Academy’ graduates do Galway proud in Community Games Finals

News released: 28th Aug 2009

It was celebrations all round last week when two of Aura Tuam Leisure Centre’s Swim Academy graduates reached the finals at the recent HSE Community Games in Athlone.

Local Tuam boys Jack Davin and Ciarán Burke represented Galway at under 8 freestyle and under 10 freestyle respectively in the competition.

Seven year old, Jack Davin swam brilliantly in the under 8 freestyle event making it through his heat and semi-final to qualify for the national final where he swam a personal best time but just missed out on the medals.

In the under 10 freestyle event, nine year old Ciarán Burke swam heroically, winning his heat and semi-final to qualify for the national final. In a very competitive final, Ciarán swam a personal best time of 15.69 seconds for the 25 metre event to win the silver medal.

“Jack and Ciaran are both shining examples of the swimming talent that is being produced here at the Aura ‘Swim Academy’. They both began their swimming careers here with us and since then their swimming ability has gone from strength to strength. We are hugely proud of their success and are delighted that they got the opportunity to represent their county in the Community Games Finals” explained Dorothy Costello, Operations Manager at Aura Tuam Leisure Centre.

“The great thing about the Aura ‘Swim Academy’ is that the focus is on having fun as much as it is about learning and developing swimming skills. It is about helping children feel comfortable and confident in the water,” added Dorothy.

“The Aura ‘Swim Academy’ classes are suitable for children of all ages and all abilities. Each child is assessed at the beginning of the course and is put into a class that reflects their ability rather than their age so that they are learning alongside children of the same standard. We feel this is the best way to teach children as it allows them the opportunity to progress at their own pace”, explained Dorothy.

Aura’s experienced instructors guide each child through the ten week programme which covers the basics of swimming and helps improve their skills through a programme of gradual progression and motivation.

The Aura ‘Swim Academy’ classes take place between 3.30 p.m. and 5.15 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons and between 10 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. on Saturdays. Enrolment costs €73 for the ten weeks and includes a free skills assessment. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment and a 10% discount applies for Aura members.

Aura Tuam is now offering people the opportunity to exercise for free. The current special membership offer means that if you sign up for a twelve month membership during the month of September you only have to pay for eleven months.

“People are naturally more price conscious during a recession and we are committed to ensuring that anyone who wants to keep up their exercise routine can continue do so at a price they can afford,” explained Dorothy.

Further information about the Aura ‘Swim Academy’ or any special membership offers is available by contacting reception at 093 52394.