Overwhelming demand for more women-only swimming sessions

A number of women are being turned away from a women-only swimming programme in Auckland due to huge demand.

WaterSafe Auckland Inc (WAI) closes off a section of Mt Albert Aquatic Centre, Papatoetoe Centennial Pools and Mt Roskill’s Cameron Pools one night a week, for women to swim in a comfortable and relaxed environment.

Regional promotions manager of WAI, Barbara Venville-Gibbons said the demand for the programme has outstripped the number of spaces available.

Ms Venville-Gibbons recently advertised available spaces for the programme at Cameron Pools on online site Neighbourly.

Unlike the casual paid sessions at the other two locations, Cameron Pools has a free eight-week programme with 40 spaces, which women must register for.

Ms Venville-Gibbons said the response was overwhelming and WAI have had to turn away a number of women.

“There are only two other facilities running specific sessions for women, where the pool is closed off and there are women lifeguards and women staff.

“That’s not a lot of space for all the women in the Auckland region who want to swim in this sort of environment.”

Ms Venville-Gibbons said the increasing demand is likely to be because more people are aware of the sessions now, through word of mouth from participants and groups such as UMMA trust.

She said some women feel more comfortable swimming in a female-only environment for various reasons, including their culture and self-esteem.

Availability of pool space, qualified female staff and lifeguards, and funding all impact on WAI’s ability to make more sessions and spaces available.

“It is disappointing to have to turn people away but with limited funding, especially for this new programme . . . we have no choice,” said Ms Venville-Gibbons.

Keely Rhifed was one of many women who responded to the Neighbourly post but was turned away due to the spaces being full.

“I am also interested . . . could you register me? I love to swim but am lacking in confidence,” she wrote.

Bryn Armstrong, an instructor of the Cameron Pools programme, said women hugely benefit from the classes and she hopes more pools around Auckland introduce them.

“It’s about using swimming as a medium to teach a whole lot of things, from aquatic competency to confidence and building quality relationships with other women.”

WAI hopes to generate support from possible partners and sponsors to deliver more programmes.