Watch out ANU- there’s something in the water this year. It’s hardworking, it’s determined, it’s energetic, it’s friendly but most importantly, it’s fun.
2011 saw the launch of a new club on campus- ANU Swimming. The brainchild of president Amanda Tully, ANU Swimming is a club that places emphasis on fun and friendship as well as the health benefits of swimming.
Multiple training sessions each week cater for the advanced squad level swimmer, the intermediate swimmer and those who want to focus on stroke correction. Sessions are relaxed and friendly and new members are always welcome regardless of ability.
In addition, ANU Swimming has three designated sessions for its learn-to-swim program. This program is specifically designed to give ANU students an affordable means to learn how to swim. It also aims to teach students basic water survival techniques. Qualified learn-to-swim instructors run these sessions with assistance from other experienced swimmers in the club. Both the instructors and assistants volunteer their time every week and a strong relationship has formed between both the squad based program and the learn-to-swim program.
As well as regular training sessions, the club has a social committee who plan social events and get-togethers. The club holds regular brunch and dinner events at The London, our corporate sponsor. These events have proven to be extremely popular with the fifty or more active members of the club. Last month the club also participated in an Australian University Games trivia fundraiser event for the Water Polo team. ANU Swimming is also sending a team of eleven students, to represent the ANU at the games on the Gold Coast 25-30 September.
So far in 2011 ANU Swimming has undergone an exciting transformation into a rapidly expanding and dynamic sporting and social club. Its members range from first year Undergraduates, Honors students to PHD candidates. Many more exciting plans are scheduled for 2012, including the release of a club clothing line designed by the incredibly talented Mitchell Bennett. With the rapid growth of the ANU swimming community, it will be interesting to see whether the ANU will be looking into the provision of much anticipated pool facilities in the near future. For information, check out the ANU Swimming page on Facebook or email anu.swimming@gmail.com
