GOswim SWIRL - Circular Head

Circular Head

GOswim Program Innovation in

Smithton Wellbeing Indoor Recreation & Leisure (SWIRL)

CAPITOL SHOWCASE Action

Showcasing excellent community-based health and wellbeing initiatives

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Why was this program needed?

• Circular Head residents face challenges associated with socioeconomic disadvantage, including impacts from social determinants of health.

• Reduced access to good nutrition, physical activity and social inclusion may contribute to a range of conditions, including overweight and obesity.

• However, local programs focused on community strengths provide great opportunities for improved health and wellbeing.

• SWIRL is a state-of-the-art facility located in Smithton, providing year round opportunities for participation in physical activity.

The GOswim Program provides swimming lessons to a range of age groups enabling increased skills and knowledge in aquatic environments, and greater physical activity, leading to better health and wellbeing.

• The centre includes swimming pools, fitness rooms and play areas, facilitating many physical activity opportunities for the community including aqua activities for various groups.

• Need for important aquatic skills for people of all ages, led to provision of the progressive GOswim swimming lessons program .

GOswim Program goals and activities

Positive outcomes for the Circular Head community

• The main goal is to provide swimming lessons, particularly with infants and children, using interactive, contemporary, experiential, and activity based modules.

• Many positive outcomes are possible with increased participation in the swimming program.

• SWIRL is owned by Circular Head Council and managed by Belgravia Leisure, with programs funded through various small grant schemes.

• GOswim caters to infants aged 4 months – 3 years; pre-schoolers aged 3 – 5 years; primary school aged children over 5 years; and adults.

• Through its interactive nature and consistent delivery, GOswim continues to gain in popularity with approximately 200 participating members.

• High quality teaching is consistently acknowledged, including a staff member awarded the Tasmanian Swim Teacher of the Year.

• Increased participation also contributes to the capacity to strengthen programs through increased funding and staff.

• Swim lesson modules are delivered in small group sessions by teachers certified through Austswim or Royal Life Saving Society Australia, ensuring optimal student-teacher ratios.

• Opportunities exist for SWIRL and available programs to be a ‘model’ swim centre for rural communities, facilitating inclusive activities for many community members.

• Sessions include entries and exits; floating and sculling; movement, propulsion and stroke development; personal survival; underwater skills; rescue and emergency; and water safety knowledge.

• Increased physical activity and social interaction, particularly in infants and children, has the potential to lead to better health and wellbeing for people across Circular Head.

• As the facility is undercover, lessons are provided year-round, including a 1-week holiday swim program during the summer.

CAPITOL (Critical Age Periods Impacting the Trajectory of Obesogenic Lifestyles) is a community-based and community-driven project which aims to build capacity in North-West Tasmania to more effectively prevent obesity. This content has been produced in collaboration with SWIRL staff.

Further information: https://utas.edu.au/health/community-programs/capitol https://www.swirltas.com.au/