Get in the swim for free this summer

Children can learn to swim, improve their swimming skills or enjoy water-based fun and games for FREE at all
Rhondda Cynon Taf swimming pools this summer.

Junior learn-to-swim sessions will be held at every pool between 8.30am-midday from Monday to Friday every week during the summer holidays, as part of the Council's High 5 free Leisure programme. To book junior learn to swim sessions, please contact your local pool now.

Other pool-based activities on offer include:

· Aquafit sessions, disability swimming classes, snorkelling, water polo and diving at Aberdare Pool.

· Snorkelling, water polo, flip'n'fun, Octopush and junior lifesaving at Abercynon Sports Centre.

· Safe for Summer at Bronwydd Pool, Porth (Helping children learn about the dangers posed by open water).

· Crawl, fly and breaststroke workshops at Hawthorn Pool. Also, snorkelling and parent and toddler sessions on selected dates.

· Water polo and swimming stroke improvement classes at Llantrisant Leisure Centre.

· Diving, flip'n'fun, lifesaving skills, snorkelling and water polo at Rhondda Sports Centre, Ystrad.

· Canoeing and aquafun at Rhondda Fach Sports Centre, Tylorstown

· Lifesaving skills, snorkelling and water polo at Tonyrefail Leisure Centre.

Youngsters can also swim for free between 11am and 4.30pm during the holidays at all RCT swimming pools. Up to two adults and three children can swim for free as a family group between 11am and 5.30pm.

Parents can also join youngsters aged 16 and under for free 'dry side' leisure activities including football, squash, table tennis, badminton and use of the Zenith Fitness Suite facilities from July 19-August 27.

Free swimming will also be available on Tuesday, August 31 and Wednesday, September 1 and some leisure centres will be offering free 'dry side' activities on those dates. Please check with your local centre to find out what's available and when.

High 5 was launched to provide children and young people with safe and healthy activities during the school holidays.

Cllr Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism said: "Swimming is an important skill for children to have and we are delighted to once again be able to offer free swimming lessons, as well as many other fun water-based activities, at our pools this summer."

To find out exactly what's on and where, go to www.rctcbc.gov.uk/high5 where you will find a timetable of High 5 activities for each leisure facility. You can also ask for details at your local leisure centre or pool.

To find your nearest leisure centre or pool go to
www.rctcbc.gov.uk/Leisure or call Leisure Services on 01443 400563

· Free swimming is a Welsh Assembly Government initiative.

Great value junior gym sessions on offer this summer

Children can take part in regular exercise throughout the summer holidays - at the cost of just a few pounds - in Rhondda Cynon Taf's junior gym scheme.

Zenith Kidz is aimed at getting juniors more active and is open to youngsters aged 12 and 13, who can use the facilities at the 'Zenith' gyms in Rhondda Cynon Taf's leisure centres.

During the summer 2010 holidays, as part of the Council's High 5 Leisure scheme, children will be able to use the Zenith Kidz gym free of charge from Monday to Friday after their initial induction, which costs just £3.30.

Children can use cardiovascular machines such as bikes, rower, treadmills, summit trainer and cross trainers. Gyms are supervised by a fully-qualified member of staff at all times.

Zenith Kidz is available at Abercynon Sports Centre, Hawthorn Leisure Centre, Llantrisant Leisure Centre, Michael Sobell Sports Centre, Aberdare, and Rhondda Fach Sports Centre, Tylorstown. Please contact your nearest centre to check the hours during which gyms can be used.

Cllr Robert Bevan, Rhondda Cynon Taf Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation, and Tourism, said: "Zenith Kidz is a great value way for children to get involved in regular exercise during the long summer holidays. It is part of the Council's action-packed High 5 scheme, which provides a wide range of opportunities that are healthy and fun."

Parental consent forms must be signed and an induction booked in advance of children coming to use the fitness studio. Low-income families will pay just £1.65 for their children to join. During the weekends (Sat & Sun), Zenith Kidz members will pay the usual £2.35 per session, as weekends are not included in the High 5 programme.

For more information on Zenith Kidz, please ask at your local centre. To find your nearest leisure centre or pool go to www.rctcbc.gov.uk/Leisure or contact 01443 400563.

Watch this space for details of forthcoming events.