SWIMMING: Suffolk has been greeting the Active Sport initiative with open arms this year – particularly in swimming.Numerous one-day swimming festivals have taken place in pools around the region, and now the first county-based Swimming Camp has received an official thumbs-up.

By Debbie Watson

SWIMMING

SUFFOLK has been greeting the Active Sport initiative with open arms this year – particularly in swimming.

Numerous one-day swimming festivals have taken place in pools around the region, and now the first county-based Swimming Camp has received an official thumbs-up.

Coached by experienced Suffolk swimming teacher Ian Cotton, the Babergh District Council camp took place over four days and gave 19 youngsters the chance to test their competitive ability.

The sporting initiative was a continuation from two previous festivals that had been staged recently in Hadleigh and in Sudbury, pitched at identifying talented swimmers.

The Ipswich version of the festival was held just a few weeks ago and its camp is planned for early next year.

The swimmers taking part in Babergh's event came from a variety of backgrounds including swimming clubs, schools, and 'learn to swim' schemes.

A varied programme, which included lane discipline, race starts, turns, stroke enhancement and equipment-use, was designed to give the youngsters a very important chance of experiencing regular competitive swimming.

It also helped them to meet with other similarly aged youngsters and to decide for themselves whether they would like to advance their commitment to frequent swimming.

Ian Brown Sport Development Officer for Babergh District Council said of the event: "It was fantastic to see so many young swimmers enjoying themselves and embracing what sport is all about.

"They were able to develop new friendships, experience a real sense of belonging to a team, and have fun at the same time."

Planning will now begin for next years' series of festivals and camps.