Swim to the Sea
Published on 14 May 2019 10:12 AM
Age UK Devon is delighted to provide a unique opportunity for people aged 55 and over to enjoy the benefits of open water swimming in the sea with the support of qualified trainers and lifeguards.
The ‘Swim to the Sea’ project will start on Thursday 6th June and will run for 12 weeks. The sessions will start with swimming at the Teignmouth Lido, a heated outdoor pool at Eastcliff. The group will be able to enjoy a social swim and improve their skills and water confidence under the guidance of Pete Wilby, a qualified swimming and open water swimming coach and Triathlon Instructor. Swimmers will have the opportunity to try open water swimming skills and techniques before their sea swims including help with getting into and out of wetsuits, which will be made available to the swimmers! There will be lots of help and support on hand from other local sea swimmers and members of the Teignmouth Surf Lifesaving Club. Every session will end with a warming cuppa and slice of cake.
Trish Warren, Active in Later Life Manager for Age UK Devon stated “The ‘Swim to the Sea’ project provides a brilliant opportunity to encourage people try out a new activity and increase their level of fitness by embracing the natural environment through sea swimming. I am passionate about raising awareness of the benefits that sea swimming has on people’s health and mental wellbeing and the best thing is that it is fun and exhilarating! We aim to prove that no matter what your age is, swimming in the sea is enjoyable and accessible.The only requirement to take part is that you are able to swim for a minimum of 20 metres. I would encourage people to book their place as soon as possible as there are a limited number of places available”.
Pete Wilby who will be running the sessions stated “I am really excited to be teaming up with Age UK Devon and looking forward to delivering a great programme of pool and sea based swimming with the ‘Swim to the Sea’ project”.
Age UK Devon are delighted to be supported by Teignbridge District Council, members of Teignmouth Surf Lifesaving Club and Active Devon through the ‘Connecting Actively to Nature’ project that is being rolled out throughout Devon through funding from Sport England, to encourage people aged 55 and over to become more active in a natural environment.
The weekly sessions will run every Thursday from 10.30am until 12.00pm starting 6th June 2019. The cost per session is £4.00 to include wetsuit hire.
To learn more about this opportunity and to book please contact Age UK Devon on 0333 241 2340 or email info@ageukdevon.co.uk.