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Swimmers take to the water for Simon
The second annual Swim a Mile event to encourage people back into the pool while raising money for homeless people will take place in six pools across the county.
The initiative from Swim Ireland began in 2014 with over 1,000 people taking part and swimming a mile – which equates to 64 lengths of a 25 metre pool. Last year just one pool in Galway, the NUIG Kingfisher, was involved with 200 taking part.
The aim is to enable those who can swim a little to swim a mile in just 12 weeks by following a free training programme, with advice and motivation provided to all those who take up the challenge. Swim Ireland also provide free coaching clinics during the training programme. The challenge then takes place in Galway pools May 18 to 22.
For fitter participants, an eight-week programme is available to download while a 16-week programme is available for weaker swimmers.
One of those who took part last year was Sinead Molloy from Salthill, who had learned to swim as a child in Leisureland but was unable to do more than a length of freestyle without stopping for a break.
“It is a defined programme, very structured, with someone leading you in the training sessions, telling you to pick up your stroke, do this, do that. The comraderie of the session is also brilliant,” revealed Sinead.
By week three she noticed a definite improvement in her stroke style.
By the end of the 12 weeks she was able to swim the 64 lengths without stopping.
“I was swimming too fast. I had to learn to slow my stroke down and concentrate. I followed a rhythm in my head. I then had to build up the distance slowly.”
Sinead insists that she is not particularly fit and the group was a mixture of all swimming levels.
“It’s fantastic. Doing swimming training is easy. It’s not like a triathlon where you are killing yourself. You don’t find yourself absolutely wrecked, hot and sweaty. It’s good for your mind, body and stretching, so you are getting an all-round gentle workout that’s accessible to all levels of fitness.”
Participating pools in Galway include Kingfishers in NUIG and Renmore as well as Tuam and Ballinasloe, and the Shearwater Leisure Centre in Ballinasloe and Tranquillity Leisure, Athenry.
As well as the three training sessions, there are three-hour free coaching clinics held, with the next one by Olympic swimmer Melanie Nocher on Friday, April 17.
Head of Swim Ireland, Sarah Keane, said the Swim for a Mile programme has been developed in line with the Department of Health Guidelines on exercise.
The Simon Community is the 2015 charity partner so participants are encouraged to raise money for the challenge. It costs €25 to register for the event, which goes to Swim Ireland.
Bill Griffin on behalf of the Galway Simon Community urged swimmers of all hues to get involved.
“As we continue to see an increase of people turning to us for outreach, accommodation, recovery and prevention services, we encourage everyone around the county to join in and get healthy while raising vital funds to support people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.”