Three-hour pool session splashes up donations to Animal Welfare
The participants were not shy with their donations
Lario Eybers (Vryheid Aquatics) is just one of the hosts who participated in the Worldwide Aquathon Day on Saturday. Together with Lario and her 10 participants, 42 countries took part in this amazing event at 97 venues worldwide on the same day.
The aim of the Aquathon is to promote the benefits and bring awareness to aqua fitness. Lario called in re-enforcements to assist with the three-hour presentation. Francois Wales (Instafit) and Nadine Pillay (Danceology) each had an hour to present exercises before Lario took the last hour to demonstrate what Aquatics is really all about. Participants also had to pay an entry fee and donate dog or cat food. All proceeds went to the Vryheid Animal Welfare Association (VAWS). The participants were not shy with their donations and these will hopefully see the animals at the shelter through the holiday season when donations are normally scarce.
Rose Hartzenberg is the founder of this event and her Aquathon days started small in 2009. She only had one pool full of aqua enthusiasts who took part for three hours, but in 2013 she decided to go global. 42 countries took part in the first year and it has grown each year, with over 280 venues in 80 countries. In November, these venues (from porta pools to the sea!) do three hours of non-stop, music-fuelled aqua exercises.
“People can do an hour or two, but those who last the full three hours get a certificate.” Hartzenberg said she was overwhelmed with the spread of the Worldwide Aquathon Day, which also raises money and sees items being collected for charity. “There are so many inspiring stories, like one man progressing from a wheelchair to a walker.
It helps with weight loss, improved sleep patterns and it is also very good for diabetics because it increases circulation, and so much more.” Hartzenberg said her youngest pool exerciser was four years old and the oldest 90. “Some people associate aqua fitness classes with the older generation or rehabilitation, but young people are shocked at how strenuous it is. Together, we can unite through the biggest global event to reach many around the world to discover the benefits of aqua fitness.”
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