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

News released: 2nd Oct 2009

It was celebrations all round when two of Aura Dundalk Leisure Centre’s Swim Academy graduates were chosen to represent Louth in this year’s HSE Community Games Finals in Athlone.

Local Dundalk sisters Rebecca and Isabelle Mc Donnell represented their county in this year’s competition where they reached the semi final stage and swam personal best times but were unfortunate not to reach the finals.

The two girls are fast becoming regulars on the national swimming circuit having represented Louth at National level in the Community Games for the last four years and have achieved great success with Isabelle taking home the silver medal in the under 10 backstroke event in last years finals. The girls swimming careers have progressed rapidly since starting their training at Aura.

“Rebecca and Isabelle 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. They have come right up through the ranks of the Aura ‘Swim Academy’ and have now progressed to the Adult Coaching classes where they continue to improve their swim skills under the supervision of our fully qualified coaching staff. 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 Sarah Byrne, Operations Manager at Aura Dundalk 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 Sarah.

“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 Sarah.

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.

Aura is currently taking enrolments for the next course of their ‘Swim Academy’. 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.

Further information about the Aura ‘Swim Academy’ or any of the other classes and programmes taking place at Aura Dundalk is available by contacting reception at 042 9336230.