After undergoing repairs and maintenance, the SportUNE swimming pool has reopened, with all water related activities resumed.
Lap swimmers are back in the water, aqua classes are now in full swing, UNE Water Polo are starting up their second trimester with record breaking numbers of players enrolled and of course the Harwood Swim School commences their Term 3 Programs next week.
“It’s great to see our regulars back in the water swimming laps and the kids enjoying their swimming lessons. The pool is a valuable part of our centre,” said Dave Schmude, Chief Executive Officer.
The Harwood Swim School is one of the many organisations who utilise the facility. It has had a long association with Armidale and SportUNE, with James Harwood continuing his family’s strong tradition of teaching children and adults to swim and is busier now than he has ever been.
“I was previously in Brisbane, but the cooler climate here makes Armidale an even better place to run a swim school,” James said.
“The drop offs in Winter in Brisbane were much greater. Here in the New England, parents are dedicated to ensuring their children learn to swim, regardless of the weather or the distance they have to travel. We have one family who drive one and a half hours every week for lessons and many others from Guyra, Walcha and surrounding towns.”
James knows it is a commitment for parents, however he said, “Once you have the skill, you have it for life and never look back.
“In Winter, the pool is the warmest place you can be, the kids can let off a little steam, keep active and practise the skills they have been taught, without even knowing it,” he said.
James and his team teach babies as young as 12 months, through to adults. He tries to add fun into his lessons and create a positive environment for the kids to learn. He said, “The best part of it is seeing the smiles on the faces of the children and their parents as they leave the pool.”
For any enquiries about programs and activities that are run at SportUNE’s swimming pool, please call 6773 3856.
