Pictured: Bob Steven
A local duo is making a huge splash after taking their passion
for swimming and using it to encourage children to lead healthy and
active lifestyles.
Husband and wife team Bob and Jackie Steven have been running
Making Waves Swim School for just over 18 months, and already have
over 550 youngsters aged three to thirteen signed up to their
classes across Shropshire, Staffordshire, North Wales and the North
West of England. Bob, a former competitive swimmer, decided to set
up Making Waves so that he could share his passion for the sport
and provide youngsters with not just a fun and safe place to
exercise, but also a nurturing environment where they can learn
valuable life skills.
Bob explained: "Child obesity in this country is in danger of
developing into a real ticking time-bomb, with almost a quarter of
children overweight and around one in ten under 10-year-olds
clinically obese. Unless drastic action is taken, there's the
prospect of a huge increase in Type 2 Diabetes and a whole host of
other related health problems in years to come, including
heightened risks of both cancer and heart disease.
"Swimming is a fantastic way to ensure children of all ages get
a healthy start to life. It's never too young to teach a child to
swim, and our classes are based around structured sessions that are
also lots of fun, with our fully-qualified instructors on hand to
ensure that they not only engage with the children themselves, but
also with parents, a factor that is hugely important in encouraging
children to continue to swim as they get older.
"Along with the obvious health and fitness benefits taking part
in swimming lessons can bring, it also gives children practical
experience of water safety, so that they can develop the confidence
and capability to cope with any unforeseen incidents, such as
falling into an unmanned pool or getting caught up in strong
currents when swimming at the beach."
"And as well as being a great source of cardiovascular exercise,
studies have proven that swimming also has a positive impact on a
child's muscle development, flexibility, posture, coordination and
balance," Bob Steven revealed. "But swimming isn't just all about
health, safety and fitness. Getting children to mix with each other
at such a tender age is great for encouraging the people skills and
self-confidence that will stand them in good stead for the rest of
their lives, while sport also teaches a number of other essential
life skills, such as self-discipline, teamwork and good
sportsmanship."
Making Waves Swim School currently runs classes from seven
locations, including Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Wrexham, Chester, and
Ellesmere, with plans in place to open additional programmes in
Blackpool and Cheshire, amongst others, in the coming months.
Making Waves Swim School was set up in 2009 by husband and wife
team Bob and Jackie Steven. The School currently teaches more
than 550 children across Shropshire, Staffordshire, North Wales and
the North West of England from the ages of three to thirteen years,
and prides itself on its positive and friendly approach to
swimming. Classes are tailored for all abilities from beginners and
intermediates to advanced, and all instructors are fully ASA
qualified.
For further information on Making Waves Swim School or to book a
lesson, contact Bob Steven on 07932 504017, email
makingwavesswimschool@live.co.uk