Blackpool Learn to Swim scheme leads to European Success

Daisy Rushton

A scheme that aims to help youngsters become more confident in the water has led one youngster to National and European synchronised swimming success.

Daisy Rushton, aged 15 from Blackpool, is one of hundreds of children who started her swimming journey by attending weekly Learn to Swim lessons at one of the Sport Blackpool Leisure Centres. Daisy is now a GB athlete after starting lessons at a young age at Moor Park Health and Leisure Centre. She is currently preparing for her next competition in the Synchro Nationals this November in Gloucester.

She was first selected for the Senior and Junior GB Synchronised Swimming team in Sept 2017. In Feb 2018 she swam in the first senior competition of the season ‘the French Open’ at the age of 14. She has also competed in the Junior Europeans in Finland and the Junior Worlds in Budapest. Daisy has most recently competed for the Senior Europeans in Glasgow to represent GB, broadcasted live on the BBC.

Blackpool’s Learn to Swim scheme aims to provide opportunities for children, young people and adults of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to develop a lifelong relationship with the water by providing high quality, professional swimming lessons in a fun, safe environment. Sport Blackpool’s philosophy of ‘progress through partnership’ ensures that not only do children, young people and adults have the opportunity to learn to swim but also the foundation skills required to progress and participate in a wide range of performance swimming programs and other aquatics activities.

Daisy’s mother, Grace Rushton, said ‘The Learn to Swim sessions played an important role in Daisy’s success. The teachers on the scheme engaged Daisy right from the very start through fun activities, excellent teaching techniques and patience. They are extremely skilled at encouraging and supporting their students to help them to achieve their goals. Daisy’s current Team GB training and competing commitments now take her all over Europe but as soon as Daisy returns home there is nothing she likes better than getting back in the pool training at Palatine Leisure Centre where she continues to be supported.’

Cllr Maria Kirkland, Cabinet Member for Leisure Services said ‘Daisy’s progress to becoming a GB athlete is fantastic. Through the Learn to Swim scheme she has worked hard and has had excellent support to help her reach where she is. We are all very proud of her. I encourage everyone to take part in Learn to Swim, it is a great opportunity to learn an important life skill as well as having fun.’

The Learn to Swim scheme runs at both Moor Park and Palatine leisure centres and is for all ages; from 4 months up to teenagers. No prior swimming assessment is needed; simply register for a Sport Blackpool leisure card and contact the centres to book. The scheme has a Learn2Swim portal that helps track a child’s progress throughout the course with instructors uploading assessments after the sessions.

Block bookings and 1-1 sessions are available to offer support for less confident swimmers or help competent swimmers improve their technique.

To find out more about the Learn to Swim scheme at www.sportblackpool.com/swimming