June 11, 2021
Swim Ireland are excited to launch our re-developed Swimmin’ Women programme with Swimmin' Women Midlife rolling out this month!
Swimmin’ Women is funded by Sport Ireland Women In Sport Funding and endorsed by Healthy Ireland and the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.
In its beginning, Swimmin’ Women was a simple beginner swim programme targeting females of all ages to increase their confidence in the water. Participants worked towards completing 500m over 8 weeks; they gained confidence and were given the tools to take on the Swim Ireland Swim For a Mile Challenge.
For 2021 we have developed the programme to be more specific to various female demographics. The goal is to encourage and empower women to participate in aquatic sports, so they can experience how Swimming, Aqua Aerobics and other Aquatic activities can support females throughout the major milestones of life.
Swimmin’ Women will be delivered in partnership with Local Sports Partnerships across Ireland to reach minority groups within the communities of Ireland. The programme includes specific programmes for
- Midlife Females (approaching perimenopause and menopause)
- Prenatal and postnatal females,
- Teenage Girls
The Swimmin’ Women Midlife Programme commences this June across Laois, Mayo, Roscommon, Tipperary, and Wexford Sports Partnerships.
Aquatic exercise is an excellent strategy to enhance the quality of life during menopause. It can alleviate symptoms and mitigate the risk of the three main chronic diseases associated with menopause; cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and obesity.
SHE Research Group found in a recent survey of just under 900 perimenopausal and menopausal women across Ireland that 78% of women reported that menopausal symptoms interfered with their normal daily activities. 77% felt they were underprepared and unknowledgeable about menopause and respondents were keen to engage in group programmes to manage weight with a menopause focus.
Kathleen Morgan, Award Winning Author, described it perfectly when she said: "...in the prime of your life, you have all these wonderful hormones making your skin look good and your energy tank full. It’s like the best drug in the world! Then, someone takes it away..."
Lots of physiological changes occur during perimenopause and menopause. Information is power and it can reduce your anxiety during such a milestone period of life. Swimmin’ Women is the perfect coping strategy for women going through or approaching menopause.
Check out the upcoming pilot programmes below. We will be adding indoor pools to the programme once grouped indoor training is permitted!
Get details: Swimmin' Women 2021 - Outdoor Pools Pilot
More useful resources for Swimmin' Women
Swim Ireland Swimmin' Women Menopause Programme
