EXERCISE AND ME
Exercise and me:
Swimming
Twelve-year-old Aileen
Barr is a member of
the Mid Argyll Dolphins
squad, training at
the MAC Pool in Lochgilphead
at least twice a
week.
When did you start
swimming?
My mum and dad started taking
me to family fun sessions
when I was a few months old.
The fi rst time I swam without
buoyancy aids I was four
and we were on our summer
holiday in Uist. Mum and dad
booked me onto a swimming
course. I had lessons every day
for a week and on the last day
I could swim in the deep end
without my armbands.
I then joined the Learn To
Swim classes at MAC Pool
and moved through the levels.
I was taught the correct techniques
for freestyle, breaststroke
and backstroke and also
went to MAC Pool at public
swim times with my parents
and sometimes a friend – it’s
good to have fun at the pool as
38 | OCTOBER 2018
well as the serious stuff. When
I was nine I was invited to join
Junior Dolphins. Now I swim
every week on a Monday and
Thursday at club coaching sessions
and I go lane swimming
at weekends.
Highlights
I won the My Contribution
Award Female 2018 at Senior
Dolphins in June this
year – I was so happy when
my name was called out.
The only low point was at one
session of time trials. Every
time I dived off the blocks water
gushed into my goggles!
What’s special about
swimming – and your club?
Swimming is a really good
exercise for lots of muscles in
your body. It can be relaxing
or fast and competitive.
Swimming is for all ages – and
you don’t need nice weather to
swim in the pool.
By becoming a Dolphin, I have
encouraged mum and dad to
go swimming more often. And
I have taught my mum how to
swim freestyle. If she can do it
at her age, anyone can.
I feel very proud to swim for Mid
Argyll at galas. I can remember
going to one competition and
everyone had lost their voice
because we had cheered on
our team-mates so much. We
have fantastic coaches. Everyone
works hard and tries to do
their best.
What’s next?
The MAC Pool is fundraising to
build an extension. This year,
Dolphins will be trying to raise
money towards this in a swimathon.
I’m going to aim to swim
100 lengths in 30 minutes. I am
also very excited about Dolphins
competing in the Scottish
schools trials.
Can we get involved?
Anyone of school age who has
completed the Learn To Swim
levels can join Dolphins. We are
a very welcoming club and we
are very happy when new people
join.
For more information ask at
the MAC pool in Lochgilphead,
email arlene_green@hotmail.
com, or ring 01546 606676.