A new programme to boost women’s water confidence is being hailed as a success.

Women’s Wednesdays at the Cromwell Pool was held in February this year, and the first few sessions were so well supported the programme was extended into March.

The programme was made up of three sessions to boost those new to swimming; it aimed to provide a safe place to explore the water and get familiar with the pool facility and surroundings.

The women were a mixture of volunteers; some of them seasoned swimmers keen to share their knowledge, and women from various continents across the globe including Africa, the Pacific and Asia, with little or no experience in the water.

Mariya Thomas was an absolute beginner at the start of the programme but she swam a full length of a 25-metre pool on the last day of the programme on her own. 

Lifeguard Millie helped out with the first session and then opted to become a volunteer for the remainder of the programme as she enjoyed it so much.

The final women’s swimming session. PHOTO: Supplied

Welcoming Communities officer Heather Harries said discussions were underway to try to put in place a similar swim programme before next summer.

The programme has been supported by Sport Otago, Te Whatu Ora (Health New Zealand) Welcoming Communities and Central Otago Swim Centres.

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