Water great bit of success for swim ace Stephanie

Jan 7 2009 by Will Henshaw, Rutherglen Reformer

TWO youngsters from the JMG Swim and Rescue School have secured the Swimfit five mile award.

Rutherglen girl Stephanie Salveta (15) and Kevin McGuiness (15) achieved the land mark.

The club is run in Holyrood Secondary School each week and has proved hugely popular ever since its inception last August.

Jim McGuiness, who runs the school, is extremely proud with the youngsters’ success and insists this is a testament to the teachings of the school.

He said: “It’s a great achievement for anyone to do the Amateur Swimming Association Swim Fit five mile award.

“This is a great feat, they achieved it at the JMG Swim and Rescue School which of course takes place at Holyrood Secondary School.”

The certificate indicates that the two competitors have been able to muster up the stamina to swim five miles.

Jim added: “It’s from the Swimfit Awards official National Swimming Teachers plan, it’s held in fairly high regard.

“We do all their awards, there’s beginner levels right up to advanced levels and all different certificates. When they can swim efficiently then they can do the Swimfit Awards.”The club is also going to be moving on and doing life saving, pool life guarding and first aid as well.

Stephanie Salveta who attends Trinity High School, was delighted with achieving the landmark.

She said: “I’ve been swimming for a few months now since the club started, when I saw the article in the Reformer.

“My pal and I go every week, I really enjoy it.

“It feels really good to get the certificate.”

Jim added: “The club has gained a fair amount of popularity since opening.

“The club is held in Holyrood Secondary School Tuesday evenings from 6.30pm until 9.30pm.

“The courses have got fixed prices, it’s £25 for the kids at all levels and for the adult courses it’s £35. Each course lasts eight weeks.

“Swimming is a great way to keep fit.

“Anyone with any questions regarding the club then please feel free to contact me on 01698 322002.”

SWIMMING FITTER: Kevin McGuiness and Stephanie Salveta from Rutherglen have achieved the five mile Swimfit award.