Start of swim lessons

Tessa Hughes.  Photo by Joe Dodgshun.
Tessa Hughes. Photo by Joe Dodgshun.
Swimming lessons begin today at the Arrowtown Memorial Pool.

Half-hour learn-to-swim lessons and hour-long squad training for 11 to 15-year-olds will take place from Monday to Thursday this week, and every subsequent Monday.

The lessons are taken by teachers and lifeguards Tessa Hughes (17), of Arrowtown, and Gareth Horner, from Dunedin, who both also work at Lakes Leisure's Alpine Aqualands swimming centre.

Tessa, who attends Wakatipu High School and is a St John Wakatipu voluntary youth member, has taught at the Lakes Leisure-operated pool for the past three and a-half years, and has swum there as long as she can remember.

Committee secretary and treasurer Kirsten Dennison said she hoped quite a few more families would join the learn-to-swim classes, as well as take part in the Friday family fun barbecue nights.

The club, which has been running since 1972, has seen a decrease in numbers since the Lakes Leisure centre opened.

"It's a really good community thing ... and it's good here - you might just have to swim a little faster because it's cold."

Ms Dennison said Tessa's hard work in giving back to the community helped with the continued operation of the club, which only operates from December 6 to February 12.

Tessa is also working hard to raise funds for a trip to Mt Everest with 14 other young New Zealanders, and is only $2000 short of the $7500 she needs.

To this end, a fundraising night will be held at Arrowtown Indian restaurant Mantra, at which customers will be served Nepalese food.

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