Alfredo Aguirre LOVES SWIMMING

“Without swimming lessons, I would have missed out on so much. Since starting lessons, I’ve noticed quite a few changes.

“My mental health has improved so much, it’s almost therapeutic for me to come and swim, not focusing on anything else other than enjoying the water.

“It’s introduced me to amazing new people, and even new hobbies – at the London Aquatics Centre I’ve been able to try diving, which is an experience I just wouldn’t get otherwise.

“The group that you create in lessons is special because you’re all working towards the same thing, and you can connect in that way.

“I think swimming pools like mine, and opportunities for people of all ages are vital to the community.

“Without these, I would have missed out on so much and not only am I grateful to enjoy this experience and my lessons, but I would urge anyone to get involved because it makes such a positive difference to your life.”

The sector is looking to inspire more people into the water at any stage of their life – with data currently suggesting as many as half of adults feel it’s intimidating to learn to swim as an adult, and more than two in five feeling swimming lessons aren’t for ‘people like me’.

Worryingly, some appear to be more adversely affected by these misconceptions, with those from ethnically diverse communities even more likely to report that lessons would be intimidating.

https://www.swimming.org/justswim/love-swimming-alfredo-aguirre/