Swimming is a great activity. It tones your entire body while providing an excellent cardiovascular workout. In fact, it would be hard to find a more therapeutic and effective form of exercise than swimming.

Swimming creates muscle tone, helps suppleness and promotes proper breathing. But the benefits to health are not just physical but also mental. Swimming promotes relaxation and reduces stress.

So, when the temperature soars this summer a visit to our stunning pool complex is in order.

Sports and Rec will be running a SwimSafe program this month at the pool, with lessons from 18 months of age, to adult.

Once a child can swim, the Lightning Ridge Swimming Club is open to all children who can swim 25 metres.

If children can learn the habit of taking regular exercise early on in life the benefits will follow throughout their life. In addition to this, participation in swimming clubs develops life skills such as sportsmanship, time-management, self-discipline, goal-setting, and an increased sense of self-worth.

There is also evidence that swimmers generally do better in school. Swimming can be a lifetime sport and the health benefits are worth the effort it takes to get down to the pool. We encourage every one to visit the pool complex this summer and see just how lucky we are here in Lightning Ridge.

Outstanding swimmers this week are Lindsay Frizell, Darcy Kidd and Andrea Chua. They are all enthusiastic competitors and have regularly improved their personal best times.