“It’s a good initiative! I was planning to enroll my daughter in swimming lessons, but in the current context it’s financially complicated,” testifies this mother, who enrolled her daughter in the “I’m learning to swim” sessions offered free of charge by Vannes Agglo. Swimming during the All Saints holidays and led by Cyril Singh Malhi, the head of the swimming school. “It is a national action. Guillaume Pierret, the club’s sports director, has created these courses since 2019. The goal is that children who reach the end of their swimming cycle at school succeed in validating their diploma to be able to swim, sail,” explains Cyril Singh Malhi, who currently hosts fifteen young people from the neighborhoods of Kercado, Cliscouët and Ménimur. “With Gildas Nicolas, who works for the city of Vannes, we approached certain schools to publicize this activity during the holidays. It’s a good return,” said the coach.

“Now she is no longer afraid”

These courses take place every day, Monday to Friday from 13.00 to 14.00, on All Saints’ Holidays. The mothers present in the clubhouse are conquered. “Last year, my daughter was afraid to put her head under water. After two sessions here she is no longer afraid, it’s great. She is happy, I am happy”, exclaims this mother who follows every time, happy to see the progress and the smiles on the children’s lips. “It gives them self-confidence, and they get new boyfriends and new friends,” she rejoices. “Generally, these children have a rather low level of water experience. In a few days I could see developments. They are in a large pool, with no buoyancy aid. They really feel the water, also adapt to immersion,” explains the coach, who might imagine repeating these sessions in the spring.

Practice

Swimming lessons in Vannes Agglo Swimming