Courage of water babies

PEACEHAVEN and Seaford youngsters have been rewarded for overcoming their fear of water.

PEACEHAVEN and Seaford youngsters have been rewarded for overcoming their fear of water.

Two successful water babies were chosen from among 35,000 other young hopefuls for the Southern Water Achievers of the Year Award.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The company's Learn to Swim scheme operates across the Southern Water region and recognises children who have shown great courage or exceptional performance.

Tatiana Butler, eight, from Vernon Avenue, Peacehaven, had a major fear of water but it did not stop her learning to swim.

Her swimming instructor at the Seahaven Pool, Samantha Keech, said: 'Tatiana was very nervous of the water for a while, but through sheer courage and determination she overcame her fear and is now an excellent swimmer. She deserves her award for her hard work and perseverance.'

Conor Strong, eight, from Cinque Ports Way, Seaford, was also anxious when he started swimming lessons.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

His teacher Anne Bickmore said: ' Conor had a number of teachers before he came to us. The early days were a nightmare for both Conor and his teachers. How times change.

'Excellent'

'Now he is an excellent swimmer and diver thanks to a lot of effort by his teachers, his parents, and of course, Connor himself.'

The children were presented with their certificates and a bag of goodies which included a sports watch by the swim scheme's mascot, Ollie the Otter, at the Summerfields Leisure Centre in Hastings.