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Imatra swimming hall

Pela teaches children from Imatra to swim

Release
12.3.2019 15:49
Swimming lessons published by Imatran Seudun Pelastakaa Lapset ry is an important part of children's swimming lessons in Imatra

Since 2011, Imatran Seudun Pelastakaa Lapset ry has been paying for swimming lessons in the swimming pool for the Viskars, i.e. four- and five-year-olds from Imatra, Roku Lahti and Rautjärve kindergarteners. Each child gets to the swimming hall four times with his group and receives swimming lessons there. The purpose is to get the children used to the water and give them the basics of swimming, so that they don't panic when they get into the water.
 
- The idea of ​​swimming lessons came one hot summer day when I was at the beach with my grandchildren. I watched the children's activities on the beach and thought that we could do something for the benefit of children's swimming lessons as an association, he says Annika Taitto From Save the Children of Imatran Region.
  
- The issue was discussed in the board of the association and we decided to use our surplus for children's swimming lessons. Kindergartens in Ruokolahti and Rautjärvi were also included, because they are also our association's area of ​​operation, continues Heleena Lintunen from the same association.
 
At the beginning of the activity, the swimming lessons only concerned Viskarei, but this year preschoolers from Imatra also joined, because their swimming lessons fell short of the city's savings. Municipalities pay for the transport of swimmers to and from the hall. Swimming lessons for school children is required by law, so the municipality must take care of it. 

The association also supports evening groups. The groups are intended for children who are not in kindergartens and would thus be excluded from swimming lessons. The evening groups are very popular and there are quotas for people from Reed Lahti and Rautjärve as well.

- We also give all swimmers a one-time swim ticket, so they can try out their new skills in the swimming hall with their parents, says Lintunen.

- After 30.000 euros had been spent, we discussed the matter again and decided to continue, because swimming teaching activities are our core mission, i.e. it is part of our Snacks for Life - a program whose purpose is to support the activities of children and young people and prevent marginalization, continues Taitto. 

In 2012, the association received an award from the national swimming and lifesaving association for its activities.

More information: head of welfare services, Arja Kujala, tel. 020 617 2227
 

Swimming lessons in Imatra 

Liikuntapalvelut takes care of the implementation of swimming lessons for school children and the planning of swimming shifts and transport. School groups are in the swimming hall two days a week for 4 hours/day. Kindergarten children and preschoolers are in the swimming hall two days a week for 4 hours. Swimming schools are also organized in the summer in the swimming hall and on the beaches for 5-7 year olds.

The swimming candidate's performance and the swimming parts of the swimming master's performance are performed at Imatra. Schoolchildren are given the opportunity to complete the swimming master mark by organizing a trip to Lappeenranta, where they can dive to a depth of 3-4 meters and jump from 3 or 5 meters. (Swimming candidates complete the entire degree at Imatra.) At Imatra, a swimming promotion is organized for those who have completed the badges, with the aim of reminding them of the importance of swimming skills and rewarding those who have completed them. This year, the promotion is being renewed and the intention is to make it a more rewarding event for children by organizing a new type of activity.
Schoolchildren from Ruokolahti, Rautjärvi and Puumala receive swimming lessons from swimming instructors at the swimming hall in Imatra. 
 

Imatran Seudun Pasatakaa Lapset ry  

Imatra region's Save the Children ry operates in the regions of Imatra, Ruokolahti and Rautjärvi.

The main goal is to directly support local children, young people and low-income families with children in different ways (in 2018, around €85). Income mainly from flea market sales.

Main focus areas:
- supporting hobby activities
- learning material support
- mentoring
- organizing swimming lessons for children under the age of 6 for approx. 700 children each year

Every year, the Childish Deed of the Year award for local work, especially for children and young people.

The operation is financed with the proceeds of the flea market (Mansikkapaikka, Tainionkoskentie 68).