CHILDREN IN THE SWIM: High Life Highland step up to demand for swimming lessons in Inverness and throughout the Highlands
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High Life Highland (HLH) is promising to do all that it can to run as many swimming lessons as possible after experiencing high demand from children.
The organisation does not want to leave anyone disappointed and this week offered classes to 150 youngsters on its waiting list.
Delivering 715 lessons each week, with 5144 children taking part, a spokesman said the charity had now created a further 88 spaces at lessons with more to follow.
The Learn to Swim programme is HLH’s biggest after-school activity and pre-Covid, the charity’s largest site, Inverness Leisure saw more than 2000 children learning to swim each week.
HLH director of sport and leisure Douglas Wilby said: “Learning to swim is a life skill and we have dedicated swimming instructors to deliver this massive programme to ensure everyone is confident in the water.
“Scotland boasts over 11,500 miles of coastline and more than 25,000 freshwater lochs which we know are a huge draw for families in the summer – that’s why we believe learning to swim is so important and why we were keen to get our programme restarted as soon as possible.”
Mr Wilby continued: “During the last few days, members of our swim team have been in touch with more than 150 people on the waiting list offering them the choice of slots for the next sessions.
“Demand is very high, and we are doing all that we can to accommodate as many as possible, we have already added 88 additional spaces to our programme, and we are working to add more over the forthcoming weeks – our aim is to try to make sure that no-one is disappointed.”
He explained: “High Life Highland sees the Learn to Swim programme as a vital part of our subscription for individuals and families. Being able to get quality lessons, at no additional charge, is definitely a major draw for many of Highlife members.”
HLH believes its the only operator in the UK that offers children’s swimming lessons as part of its membership package.
Mr Wilby concluded: “We will remain focused on maximising the number of participants in our swimming lesson programme.”
For more information and to book swimming lessons at your nearest local leisure centre, visit www.highlifehighland.com
