Spelthorne and Sunbury welcome olympians for swimming skills

Grant Turner and Katie Clark, who both competed as swimmers in the London 2012 Olympics, joined with centre administrators Everyone Active and Zoggs for a day of fun and learning.

Katie, who also competed at the Rio 2016 Olympics, and Grant, who won a Commonwealth Games silver medal, taught the kids a range of new skills including basic Lifeguarding skills, plus new sports like water polo and synchronized swimming.

Each discipline was led by one of the expert athletes, and participants had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race against the Olympians too.

Children from local schools in Spelthorne were invited to attend, along with those from Everyone Active’s swim scheme and Staines Swimming Club.

Karl Miles, area contract manager at Everyone Active, said:

"This was a great opportunity for local children to learn about various swimming disciplines and have the chance to meet two fantastic Olympic athletes.

"We’re delighted to have brought the local community together for an action-packed morning and afternoon at both of our leisure centres."

Olympian Steve Parry, who is also taking part in the Everyone Active and Zoggs scheme meanwhile reflected that it was about inspiring the next generation of swimmers.

"We are really excited to have teamed up with Zoggs to run this series of Zoggs Oceans of Fun Days. Zoggs is a swim brand with a real passion for swimming and, by using role models in the form of Olympic and Commonwealth athletes, we hope to inspire, motivate and educate young people who will have the chance to come along and take part in these events for free.

"They will not only learn a huge amount at these events but get a once in a lifetime chance to swim against a top athlete and, we hope, begin to understand the benefits, and enjoyment, of adopting an active, healthy lifestyle," he said.