AUSTRALIAN water polo champion Luke Gavin gave VicSwim students a surprise of Olympic proportions on Wednesday when he jumped in the pool to assist with a swimming lesson at the Maribyrnong Aquatic Centre.
Gavin, along with fellow swimming ambassadors diver Loudy Tourky, synchronised swimmer Danielle Liesch and swimmers Kelly Stubbins and Patrick Murphy, will be visiting various pools around the state over the next three weeks to demonstrate stroke techniques and water safety measures.
The athletes will be joined by official mascot of the 12th FINA World Championships Penny the Penguin.
The program was introduced this year after VicSwim was appointed as the official Sports Development Program for the World Championships.
Manager of the VicSwim program Kelly Eaton said the athletes had been fantastic at making themselves available to visit the kids.
“It’s an opportunity for the ambassadors to go out and promote the program and help to encourage children to become involved in swimming and water safety,” she said.
“It’s great for the kids to get involved with someone that is an athlete and is also going to be competing in the Championships in March as well.”
Over coming weeks the athletes will be visiting swimming venues in Essendon, Monash, Ringwood, Narre Warren and Middle Brighton.
VicSwim is the largest provider of holiday swimming and water safety education in Victoria, conducting swimming programs at more than 180 locations throughout the state during the holiday period.
For further information call 8843 2000 or visit www.vicswim.com.
