Dilys is fighting fit with free swimming

An eighty one year old woman from Crymych has discovered a way to keep fighting fit with the free activities on offer at her local leisure centre.

Dilys Phillips is a regular in the swimming pool at Crymych leisure centre and enjoys the social and health benefits it offers.

She has even been spurred on to try boxing after building up her stamina in the water!

The active grandmother learnt how to swim in Crymych pool when it opened in 1972 and has been hooked on it ever since.

She now makes the most of the free activities on offer for the over 60s at the pool including swimming and aqua aerobics.

Dilys said, "I've always liked sport from a young age, and enjoy learning new things, so when the pool opened I saw my opportunity to learn how to swim. Now I go twice a week to swimming and aqua aerobics to keep fit. You have to put your name down early for a place in the class though as it is very popular and fills up quickly."

She continued, "I have a great social life from going to the classes too, and we often all meet for a coffee afterwards. After losing my husband last year I didn't want to just sit about the house doing nothing. Going to the pool gets me out and about and meeting new people."

Darren Bowen, manager of Crymych Leisure Centre, said: "Dilys is an inspiration to everyone. She is always so positive about her swimming, and keen to ‘dive in' to something new. We have a large number of regulars attending the free classes for the over 60s in Pembrokeshire and are always pleased to welcome somebody new. If you are 60 or over, just pop into your local leisure centre or your local library and pick up an application form."

The Free Swimming Initiative, managed by the Sports Council for Wales, is a Welsh Assembly Government initiative aimed at older people 60 years and over and children and young people 16 years and under.

This is the sixth year that all 22 local authorities in Wales have operated the initiative and the figures show that each year more people are going to their local leisure centre to enjoy a pastime which not only encourages them to be fit and healthy but is a potential life saver.

For more information please visit www.free-swimming-wales.org.uk or contact your local leisure centre.