She admits she has always had a fear of the water.
But now, a 73-year-old Sport Aberdeen member has finally conquered her phobia and finished her final swimming assessment as part of a new adult scheme.
Jennifer Whittet recently completed the ‘Adult Improvers Learn to Swim’ programme at Bridge of Don Swimming Pool.
But when she recalled beginning her swimming journey whilst at primary school with the assistance of her father, it was a vase of her always struggling to find confidence once she was in the water.
However, more than 60 years later, after attending a Learn to Swim taster session as part of the city’s Golden Games in 2018, she has joined the beginners’ class at Bridge of Don Swimming Pool where she has gone from strength to strength.
Ms Whittet said: “My favourite part of learning to swim with Sport Aberdeen was moving from the beginner to improver level. I have had great instructors who have helped me work on my strokes and helped me gain confidence in the deep end.
“My advice to anyone who feels they are too old to learn a new physical skill, be it swimming or otherwise is to give it a try. You are never too old to learn something new.
“My newfound confidence in the water means that I am no longer afraid to go swimming on my own and actually swam in the sea last time I was on holiday.”
Sport Aberdeen’s Dianne Breen said: “The Learn to Swim programme’s main aim is to encourage and enable people of all ages and abilities to swim with confidence and take part in physical activity more often.
“Stories such as Jennifer’s are a great reminder that the hard work of our instructors and the wider Aquatics Aberdeen team has a huge impact on a personal level.
“This allows people to learn new skills and, in some cases, move past barriers that have persisted for a long time, allowing our participants to really enjoy the sport.”
