Please note: this is an old article
It was published in August 2018, so the information may be out-of-date.
More than 180 women and girls attended the first Women Only Swimming Session at Aquamoves on Sunday, taking part in free one-on-one water safety lessons and spending time in the pools, spas and sauna.
Aquamoves is currently partnering with VicHealth in its This Girl Can – Victoria campaign to offer a series of women only swimming sessions at the centre.
The campaign is a local version of the world-famous viral campaign by Sport England which inspired an incredible 3.9 million British women to ditch the couch and get active.
The campaign aims to build upon this success and empower women across the state to get active and overcome feelings of judgment.
Aquamoves' Program and Education Coordinator Sonya Dalgliesh said "a pure sense of freedom, safety and comfortableness was enjoyed throughout Aquamoves as females of all ages enjoyed the pools, spas and sauna."
"If you could measure success by a meter that calculates smiles and laugher then our This Girl Can Women Only Swimming Session would have blown the meter out of the water," Ms Dalgliesh said.
"The night was charged with smiles, singing, laughter, fun and joy."
Greater Shepparton City Council community director Kaye Thomson said it was fantastic to see local women get out, be active and find their confidence.
“This is a really great opportunity for women in our community to enjoy exercising in a particularly supportive and comfortable environment while celebrating what they can do.”
“The happy vibe witnessed throughout the centre and smiles and squeals of delight from participants are clear indicators of its overwhelming success."
VicHealth CEO Jerril Rechter said the fear of judgment – as well as actual experiences of judgement – stop too many women from being physically active.
“Over half of Victorian women worry about being judged while exercising and for over 40 percent this feeling of embarrassment or intimidation is so strong it actually stops them from taking part in sport or exercise,” Ms Rechter said.
- The next Women Only Swimming Session will be held on Sunday September 9, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. Two more sessions will be held on Sunday October 14 and Sunday November 11. The cost is $6.40 per adult and $4.20 per child. Boys under five are permitted at these events. For more information, phone 5832 9400.
You can join the Women Only Swimming Facebook events here.
Article courtesy of The Shepparton News on Thursday 16 August 2018.
