Summer is upon us and we all want to enjoy the water, whether it’s in a backyard pool or at one of the many beaches we are fortunate to have on our doorstep.
Learning to swim is a vital life skill and the Geelong Swimming Club (GSC) has been fostering a love of swimming across the Geelong region for more than 140 years.
The GSC Learn to Swim School offers an engaging and competency-based program catering for all abilities.
Under the governance of Life Saving Victoria, the curriculum is based on the Swim and Survive program.
“Many of our swim teachers are competitive swimmers themselves – some who trialed for the Paris Olympics and recent World Championships – and many are aspiring educators with a passion for fostering a love of swimming,” club president Tim Woods said.
“GSC Learn to Swim is the starting point, with the integrated program providing the pathway for aspiring competitive swimmers to join the club’s competitive squads.
“For those children inspired by the Australian Dolphins, we provide the opportunity to go all the way from learning to swim to the very top of the sport.”
GSC is one of the top four swimming clubs in Victoria, the top-ranked regional swimming club in the state, the reigning Country Victorian Champion (for the third successive year), and operates one of Australia’s fastest-developing swimming programs.
More than 60 GSC juniors – many of whom came up through GSC Learn to Swim – competed in local swimming carnivals and the District Championships, and more than half the club’s swimmers qualified for the Victorian Country Championships over the past year.
“It is exciting seeing young swimmers come through the Learn to Swim program, compete, earn qualifying times, attend and achieve at local and country championship levels,” GSC head coach Aaron Tenabel said.
“Our program also supports those swimmers to qualify at a state level where we have around 50 swimmers each year, and this year our team at the Australian Swimming Championships had more than 20 local swimmers.”
The club and GSC Learn to Swim take special pride in supporting people with a range of disabilities to engage in swimming, compete, and represent Victoria and Australia.
“Most of our squads include athletes with disabilities, who are integrated members of the squads that best suit them and their needs,” Tim said.
“Integration and diversity are about action, not just words.”
Speedo Australia recently signed a four-year partnership to make GSC its premier Australian club partner.
Like its Learn to Swim instructors, GSC’s coaches are engaged in constant professional development, including working with specialist sport science partners, academies, and sports professionals as the club develops an increasingly ambitious program.
“Our aim is for Geelong Swimming Club to be the centre of excellence for swimming, from water safety to competitive swimming for all,” Tim said.
With 350 members and more than 150 competitive swimmers training in nine squads, the club has a strong family-friendly atmosphere.
Visit www.geelongswimmingclub.com.au for more information.
