B-active winner creates a splash
Published on: 17th November 2011
A woman who was scared of water and desperate to learn how to swim is Bradford Council's latest b active award winner.
The Council's Sport and Leisure Service will present 57-year-old Mrs Mary Rothwell with the award on Tuesday, 15 November in recognition of her determination to overcome her fear of getting into water and learning how to swim 25 metres.
Mary, from Ingrow, near Keighley, had suffered from aquaphobia since her school days. Her determination to enjoy being in water on family holidays, however, helped motivate her to attend weekly Aqua-Phobic swimming lessons at Shipley Pool.
She started as a complete non-swimmer in the learner pool wearing arm bands. Her first lesson was spent learning how to breathe in the water, letting the water support her head, and gliding with support.By the end of the week she was gliding independently, swimming calmly on her back, and beginning to learn the breaststroke.
She has now passed her badge to swim 25 metres and hopes to pass her 50 metre badge in the New Year.
Mary said: "The total experience of learning how to swim with the Aqua-Phobic sessions has truly changed my life. I have overcome my fear of the water, which is something I never thought I would do.
"I was determined to learn how to swim and get fit and I'm really proud of myself. I hope other people will see that if I can do it, then so can they.I really enjoy the swimming lessons and all the staff arevery friendly and have given me a lot of support, help and advice.”
Ian Bairstow, Bradford Council's Strategic Director for Environment and Sport, said: "Mary is a great example of how it's never to late to overcome a fear of water and to learn a new skill. She is a tremendous inspiration to people of all ages across the district about what can be achieved with determination and drive.”
Residents who would like to overcome their fear of water and learn how to swim can, like Mary, benefit from Shipley Pool's new Aqua-Phobic sessions.
The one-off session, which is led by a fully-qualified instructor, includes a 15-minute consultation; 30 minutes in the water with an instructor; and a discussion about the best way forward. Each session is tailored to the needs of the individual.
For further information about the sessions, or to book a place, please contact Lynda Devanny, Bradford Aquatics Development Manager, on 01274 438786. All enquiries are treated in strict confidence.
Bradford Council's b active campaign was started in 2003 to encourage people across the district to be more physically active.
The b active awards are given out by the Council's Leisure Services to local people in recognition of their outstanding achievements in encouraging others to be more physically active. Nearly 30 have been awarded since the campaign was launched.
