While swimming is part and parcel of Australian culture, for many new to our country, they have had limited experience in and around aquatic environments. In an effort to rebuild their lives in Australia, 20 refugee students have been attending regular swimming lessons with our BlueFit Swimming team at Wallsend Swimming Pool for the past six weeks as part of a youth group program run by STARTTS (NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors).
Wallsend Swimming Pool’s Learn to Swim initiative has given the high school students a unique opportunity to gain water confidence and competency. From learning to float and tread water to now swimming freestyle and building swim endurance have been milestone achievements.