Families have jumped at the chance to get into the swim this spring, with a record 93 students heading to Orbost Outdoor Pool for the first of this season’s swimming lessons and more than 100swimmers now enrolled – a record for Orbost.

Three East Gippsland Shire Council instructors ensured the first Learn to Swim lesson went swimmingly last week and provided much-needed aquatic safety training for the young participants. The classes run for five weeks.

This year, Orbost Outdoor Pool opened at the earlier date of Tuesday, November1.

Mayor Cr Mark Reeves noted that Life Saving Victoria research found that many kids had missed important aquatic education due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Council used this research in deciding to extend the operating period of the pool,” Cr Reeves said.

“I’m pleased to see this impressive turnout for the first of this season’s swimming lessons. We made a significant change to our programming, so we’re pleased to see that locals have taken up the chance to learn about safety in and around water,” Cr Reeves said.

The popular pool will offer two five-week (twolessons a week) Learn to Swim programs– with the next starting in February. The pool will also hold a one-week VICSWIM program in January.

Aquatic Group Fitness classes, summer fun activities and Free Swim Fridays (from 3.00 pm until close each week) will also be available.

And Orbost Outdoor Pool is really having its moment in the sun with the launch of a new website that makes booking swim lessons and tracking opening times easier than ever.

For more, visit www.lakesaquadome.com.au/aquatic/orbost-outdoor-pool.

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