Children can take the plunge and learn how to swim, snorkel and even dive for free during half term. Youngsters aged 16 and under and their families can enjoy free swimming, organised pool activities and indoor activities at Rhondda Cynon Taf’s leisure centres from Monday-Friday, February 15-19, 2010.
Diving sessions at Aberdare Pool are among the many free activities on offer during the school holidays. Diving development officer Ben Fox will run the new sessions at the pool Monday-Friday from 10am-midday through a Swim Wales initiative to re-introduce and develop springboard and high board diving in Wales.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Swimming Development officer Jean Davies said: “These sessions will increase the variety of aquatic opportunities for youngsters, and give developing gymnasts another channel for their skills.
“We will talent-search at all pools in RCT using our flip ‘n’ fun programme throughout the year to identify individuals who show promise as divers, and diving squad sessions are also being reinstated at Aberdare Pool.”
Cllr Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Cabinet Member for Culture and Recreation, said: “Yet again, we have put on a range of free activities in our leisure centres during the school half term holiday and we hope children and their families will come along and enjoy everything that is on offer.
“Aberdare Pool has a purpose-built diving pit, so we are delighted that diving is being reintroduced there as part of our free activities programme.”
Other half-term highlights at Aberdare Pool will include: Junior learn to swim classes – beginners and improvers; Junior learn to swim for children with disabilities; snorkelling lessons, canoeing and junior water polo.
Abercynon Sports Centre is offering junior learn to swim lessons, rookie lifeguard lessons, snorkelling lessons and scuba diving sessions for children and families. Badminton, football, table tennis and netball are among the other activities on offer.
Hawthorn Pool, Pontypridd, is offering free family snorkelling sessions Monday-Friday from 10am-11am.
Llantrisant Leisure Centre is offering sub aqua sessions from 10am-11am on Tuesday, February 16 and disability swimming sessions on Monday, February 15 and Wednesday, February 17, from 10am-11am, as well as water polo/aquafun come and try sessions.
Rhondda Sports Centre, Ystrad, is offering junior learn to swim from 9am-10am, Monday to Friday, as well as water polo, snorkelling and flip ’n’ fun (diving). Please contact the centre for more details. There will also be football from 10am-12pm and squash from 12pm-1.30pm throughout the week.
Free swims will be offered to all children and their parents from 11am-5.30pm, Monday to Friday during half term at all RCT pools. Most centres will be offering free High 5 ‘dry side’ activities from 10am-5pm including football and basketball.
Activities on offer vary in each leisure centre and pool, so please contact your local centre to check what’s available and when.
To find contact details for your nearest centre, go to www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk and click on leisure facilities, or call Leisure Services on 01443 400563. You can also log on to www.whatsonrct.co.uk for Leisure info.
