NEXT Monday will see swimming lessons restart at pools across Cumbria following a five month hiatus due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Better, the charitable social enterprise that operates municipal leisure facilities across the county on behalf of Allerdale, Carlisle, Eden and South Lakes councils, will be implementing a phased relaunch of its Better Swim School, initially focussing on junior swimming lessons for children aged between 5-16yrs, before rolling out to younger children and adults later in the year.

Lessons will initially be available at Cockermouth Leisure Centre, Workington Leisure Centre, The Pools Swimming and Health Centre, Copeland Pool and Fitness Centre, Appleby Leisure Centre, Penrith Leisure Centre, Kendal Leisure Centre and Ulverston Leisure Centre.

Covid-Secure measures have been put in place for pupils, parents and swimming teachers.

This will include asking pupils to arrive at their lesson “pool ready” to minimise time spent in changing rooms, staggered arrival times and a one-way system to and from classes. Social distancing will be encouraged throughout the building, for teachers, pupils and any parent spectators – who will also be asked to wear facemasks while observing lessons.

Lesson plans have been adapted to ensure social distancing between staff and pupils is maintained, games and activities involving close or actual contact will be avoided and all equipment will be cleaned before and after use.

In addition, all the swimming teachers have received additional training around the new Covid-Secure protocols.

Emma Lewis, National Swimming Development Manager at Better said: “We are delighted to be able to take the first steps towards bringing swimming lessons back into our pools.

"We’ve been working hard to ensure that we are safer, better and stronger than ever, so that our swimming

lessons will be enjoyable and stress free.

“Swimming is a crucial life skill so it’s really important to get our learner swimmers back in the water now, in order to help them continue on their journey towards becoming safe and confident in the water.

"The feedback we’ve received following out test events has been extremely positive and we’re looking forward to welcoming back our pupils and their parents & guardians in the coming days.”

In a normal times, Better provides over 18,000 swimming lessons each week across the UK, yet since the beginning of lockdown had been unable to provide any until now.