Swimming time at Island Games

The best swimmers on the Isle of Wight raced against islanders from across the world during four days of intense international competition. Almost all of the 17-strong swimming team learnt their first strokes as youngsters on Southern Water’s Learn to Swim scheme. The scheme, which is soon to celebrate its 20th anniversary has taught more than 600,000 youngsters to swim across the south east and continues to run at West Wight Sports Centre, The Heights, Medina Leisure Centre and Waterside Leisure Centre on the Island.

Southern Water’s Learn to Swim ambassador, Duncan Goodhew MBE, an Olympic Gold Medallist in 1980, attended the opening ceremony of the swimming gala and presented medals to successful swimmers along with Southern Water’s Director of Communications, Geoff Loader.

Duncan said: “Through working with Southern Water, it’s so exciting to be part of the friendliness of these games. Almost all the members of the Isle of Wight team were with Southern Water’s Learn to Swim scheme which is a great testament to the programme.”

Southern Water also provided 3,000 reusable water bottles to the athletes taking part in the games.  The company stepped in after organisers were let down by another sponsor to ensure that everyone had a re-fillable bottle to avoid a potential litter problem with the thousands of competitors buying disposable drinks.

For previous Isle of Wight updates, click here.