The Big Splash with Blue Peter

International coach Dave Hobbs teams up with British Swimming and BBC

Published: 9th June, 2011
by STEVE BARNETT

ONE of the country’s top swimming coaches is urging people to conquer their fears and take to the water after declaring that “it’s never too late to learn the vital life skill.”

International coach Dave Hobbs has lost count of just how many people he has taught to swim during his 27-year career with Camden Swiss Cottage Swimming Club. 

The one thing that is clear, however, is that his passion for the sport is as strong as ever. That’s why there was little surprise when British Swimming asked him to get involved in the Big Splash, a new nationwide campaign they’ve launched with the BBC to get the country swimming. 

Dave’s task was to help Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere (above) strengthen his swimming ahead of a massive challenge to promote the initiative. 

It worked a treat as Akinwolere went from barely being able to swim 25metres to swimming across one of the deepest stretches of water on Earth. 

The presenter became the first person to swim across the five-mile ­Palau Trench in the Pacific Ocean and also now holds the record for the deepest ever recorded location for an open water swim.  

Having played an integral part in helping prepare Akinwolere to complete the challenge, Dave is hoping the presenter will now get more people swimming. 

“What we proved with Andy and the Big Splash challenge is regardless of age we can teach people how to swim. 

“It’s never too late to learn how to swim. As a life skill swimming can be vital to a family unit so they can have fun when they’re away together on holiday or going for a weekend swim.

“The campaign is about showing people that no matter what their fears are we can teach them. Every parent should get their children involved, primarily for safety reasons as they’re going to encounter water at some point, 

“Plus there’s the added health and fitness factor, and the fact that being a confident swimmer will open doors to a whole host of other activities.”

Viewers will be able to follow Andy’s Big Splash story in a Blue Peter special on Monday, June 20, on BBC One. 

Meanwhile anyone interested is learning to swim can call Camden Swiss Cottage Swimming Club on 020 7974 5440 or visit www.camdenswisscottage.co.uk