YOUNG LOCAL SWIMMERS MAKE THE PLATINUM LEVEL
Three of the area’s local young swimmers have taken their sporting achievements to a new level by reaching platinum status on a coaching programme at White Oak Leisure Centre.
Callum Rest (14) and Luke Harland-Cole (15), both from Sidcup, and Harry Smith (15) from South Darenth train at the Swanley centre’s Swim Academy – an initiative run by Sencio Community Leisure in partnership with the Swimming Teachers Association (STA).
In order to achieve their platinum level status the boys had to complete a series of 10 tests designed to assess their skills and competence.
These included being able to swim 400 metres as well as perform a series of tasks whilst wearing a t-shirt and long trousers; deliver feet first and head first surface dives; swim 100 metres in 75 seconds; tread water while passing a ball within a group, and synchronise with two other swimmers to complete a set of tests.
Lara Whitfield, programme manager at White Oak Leisure Centre, says: “Callum, Luke and Harry are hard-working, accomplished young swimmers and it’s exciting to see them take their achievements to a new level by completing what is a lengthy and demanding set of challenges.”
