Scores of young people are getting free guidance from top swimming coaches thanks to a new initiative that aims to instil a love of swimming. Dave Horsley reports

THE echoing squeals of children coming from the swimming pool are unmistakenly joyous.

But this is fun with a purpose.

The youngsters are the pioneers of a new, and possibly unique, initiative to encourage not only participation in swimming but in a way that could ultimately set the boys and girls on a path to Olympic or Paralympic glory.

Inspire to Swim is the brainchild of Richmond Dales Amateur Swimming Club and it has attracted funding from the Swimathon Foundation, the charitable arm of the Amateur Swimming Association.

Darlington and Stockton Times: TAKING THE PLUNGE: The first group of youngsters taking part in the Inspired To Swim coaching programme

The first group of youngsters taking part in the Inspired To Swim coaching programme

The ten-week course, which takes place at Catterick Pool, is designed to improve their swimming ability under the guidance of a qualified coach – but also to dip their toes in the water of competitive swimming.

"The aim is simple. We are giving them the chance to fall in love with swimming as a sport, rather than just a pastime," says Chris Dove, who swam with Richmond Dales as a child and has now returned as its head coach.

"We want to give these youngsters more opportunity to swim, but in a coached environment, where we can help them to improve their swimming ability, to find a discipline they enjoy and could potentially excel at, to gain technical skills such as breathing patterns, diving and turns, but also to learn about water safety and such things as body strengthening exercises, nutrition, hydration, etc.

"Above all, we want them to enjoy the experience of swimming - and to help that enjoyment last beyond their school years."

Inspire to Swim is open to eight to 18-year-olds, regardless of where they live. Richmond Dales has swimmers travelling to club sessions from all over Richmondshire, the Tees Valley and even County Durham. They ask only that youngsters have a minimum of Stage 5 swimming ability.

There is a small cost for the ten-week course of £20, which covers access to the pool and all coaching during the ten hour-long sessions, but also gets every youngster an Inspire to Swim T-shirt and a water bottle.

The Swimathon Foundation funding is for a 12 months and the target is for at least 180 youngsters to complete the course.

There is, undeniably, something in it for Richmond Dales.

The swimming club, which in the past has nurtured such swimming talents as sisters Jo and Nicola Jackson, both Great Britain Olympians, is always on the lookout for the next big stars of the pool and Inspire to Swim is unashamedly a means to "trial" scores of potential recruits.

Says Chris: "If, at the end of Inspire to Swim, we have found two, three or more potentially elite swimmers, that will be great.

"But that is not at all what this about. Inspire to Swim is for everyone who either has a passion for swimming or wants to find out if that passion to become a better swimmer is within them.

"At the end of the course, we anticipate one of three outcomes - one, they will want to swim competitively and will join ours or another swimming club with that aim; two, they will become regular swimmers, perhaps even joining a club but not necessarily to compete; or three, they will decide swimming is not for them, but will leave us a stronger, better swimmer having had a lot of fun learning and making lasting friendships."

Inspire to Swim is run by Richmond Dales in partnership Richmond Leisure Trust and Catterick Leisure Centre, which both have Learn to Swim programmes, but while the swimming club's coaches spearhead the initiative, it also draws on a small army of helpers including the club's regular members and their parents.

Ten-year-old Nicole Lambert is one such "poolside helper" for Inspire to Swim sessions, assisting the coach and demonstrating various skills.

"Nicole simply loves swimming. She began with one hour-long session a week, but now swims five or six times a week," says her mum, Christine, who believes the benefits of children swimming go far beyond physical exercise.

"Nicole now has has more energy, she is doing well at school, she's confident, better co-ordinated and organised, and on top of that she's developed some great friendships - all through swimming."

Wanting to move cautiously to ensure it wasn't overwhelmed by young candidates, Richmond Dales sought participants for the first two Inspire to Swim groups, each about 12 strong, from the local primary school, the leisure centres and organisations such as Scouts.

Now it is casting its net much wider with the hope that, by the end of this summer, scores youngsters will proudly clutch their course certificate and be about to dive into the rest of their love affair with swimming.

For more information about taking part in Inspire to Swim, email admin@rdasc.org.uk or call Helen Johnson on 07711 367916.