SUMMER in Durban is all about getting into the water! With this in mind, KZN Aquatics, Otto Aquatics, and SM Jhavery Primary School, will launch their exciting summer swim school community-based programme at the SM Jhavery pool in Clare Estate during the December school holidays and hopes to attract individuals to swimming as a recreational and competitive sport.
Over the last two years, thanks to funding from KZN Aquatics and the KZN Department of Sport and Recreation, the swimming pool at the school has been upgraded to a high quality facility. In addition, supported by KZN Aquatics, an accredited swimming instructor has been based at the school since the beginning of the year, and tasked with developing a learn-to-swim programme among the school pupils. Zanele Mbambo is a Swimming South Africa registered instructor, and over the course of the year has trained many of the pupils to become both water safe as well as competent in competitive swimming.
In addition to the initiatives by KZN Aquatics, Otto Aquatics has partnered with the school to deliver advanced competitive programmes. Otto, with its long history of community based aquatics dating back to 1964, has produced champion swimmers, coaches and administrators who have performed on the world stage. The KZNA-Otto-SMJ project is bearing fruit with the first group of swimmers now preparing to participate in KZN Aquatics competitions.
Starting from 12 December and running up until 23 December, from 9am to 3pm every day, Zanele will be available to teach both adults and children the fundamentals of water safety and learning to swim. The programme is intended to be flexible to accommodate the needs of the community – choose your time slot and choose how often you go to the pool.
The programme will range from individual to small group teaching. Entry into the programme is through prior booking. The cost also depends on the needs of those wanting to join the programme and the numbers that join. Special concessions are also available.
Contact Avesh Jaganath on 079 509 9399, the coaching co-ordinator Khathija Rajah on 072 431 6795, email: admin@ottoaquatics.co.za or visit the club website at ottoaquatics.co.za for more information.
