Gold medal winning Paralympian Josef Craig was joined by fellow Olympians Nick-Robinson Baker (diving), Rob Parker (Water Polo) and Amy Smith (Swimming) to kick off the first leg of the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA), Trunx Tour.

The ASA Trunx Tour will visit many pools across the UK along with the ASA’s water loving elephant mascot to celebrate the achievements of young children learning to swim on the ASA British Gas Learn to Swim Pathway.

The visit came just one month after the largest ever learn to swim survey released by the ASA revealing that 47% of children aged 7.11 in the West Midlands cannot swim 25 metres unaided.

ASA Chief Executive Officer David Sparkes said: “This initiative is about raising the awareness of the importance of children learning to swim and encouraging their efforts as they try and achieve the required level of competence and confidence in the water.

This initiative is about encouraging children’s efforts as they try and achieve the required level of competence in the water.

“Perhaps we may even inspire one or two of our future Olympic and Paralympic stars along the way.

“We also are delighted that Walsall Council has announced their commitment to the British Gas ASA Learn to Swim pathway. It is clear that the council believes that supporting children to learn to swim will help achieve a fitter, healthier and perhaps above all a safer generation of young people.”

As part of the Trunx Tour athletes and children took part in a fun-filled aquatic morning, trying out different pool activities such as Mini-Polo, Flip ‘n’ Fun, Swim skills as well as learning how to be safe in the water in a Rookie Lifesaving master class.

It was a fun way to introduce youngsters to learn to swim – I’d like to see the tour run in every town!

Josef Craig said: “The Trunx Tour in Walsall was a fun way to introduce youngsters to learn to swim. The day gave a huge insight into other disciplines within swimming. I’d like to see the tour being run in every town.”

The recent commitment by Walsall Council to implement the Swimming Governing Body’s learn to swim programme – the British Gas ASA Learn to Swim Pathway has seen 30 swimming teachers deliver the programme to nearly 2000 children in accross four local swimming pools.

Councillor Anthony Harris, portfolio holder for leisure and culture in Walsall Council coalition, said: “Swimming is not only a great way to keep fit but it is also a vital lifesaving skill and we want to encourage more children to take up the sport from as young an age as possible.

“It’s not every day you get to meet an Olympic gold medal winning star and I’m sure the children really learnt a lot from Josef and his colleagues about how hard work can really pay off and also why it is so important to learn to swim.

Launching the ASA learn to swim pathways across our leisure centres will give 1800 children a great framework to follow

“Launching the ASA learn to swim pathways across our four leisure centres will give the 1800 children enrolled in our swim school a great framework to follow in order to develop their aquatic skills, be safe and enjoy water based activities.”

“Hopefully this programme will also encourage more children to learn to swim and stay safe in the future.”

Here’s Jenny with Olympic Diver, Nick Robinson-Baker (on the right, not the elephant!).

It was a great day, where Amy Smith and Josef Craig were also on hand to meet the children there.  All good for swimming in Walsall too!

Perry Beaches Swimmers Paul Bates , has once again travelled the country in search of the best open water  races in the UK  , 2 weeks ago it was the famous BLDSA  9 mile  Champion of Champions race in Dover ( he came 3^rd ) this weekend it was perhaps the No one open water swim of the year ..!,  The blueseventy Henley Classic is a 2.1km swim over the Royal Henley Regatta course, The classic swim is a unique opportunity to swim one of the most famous and beautiful stretches of open water in the world, in fact the event is . Listed in the Top 100 swims in the world. The Henley Swim is without doubt amongst the most iconic challenges

So Paul left this home in the midlands around at 12 midnight to travel the 100 miles to Henley ,and yes we did say midnight .!!! , A key feature of the Henley event is that you arrive in darkness (check in was 2.30am) and the walk the ½ a mile to the start (that’s around 4am) as the sunrise appears, you and the 800 other swimmers most in wetsuits or some like Paul are just wearing costumes are led down the tow path by the torch carrier,then Once the safety briefing is completed you have to enter  the inky black water at 4.30 am and wait for the starters gun…Paul said the whole  begin of the event before you even is like no other swim I have ever done , its slightly surreal experience The torch-light walk to the start, the mist swirling above the river, the moon full and radiant, the sun just threatening to burst from behind the hill, gives the whole event the feeling of a pagan festival rather than a seriously tough physical test the walk down as the mist came of the surrounding fields ,really felt nervous and exciting at the same time….

The swim its self was hard as the 2.1k distance is held upstream , to make it just that little bit tougher , the swims are set of in waves from elite to fun swimmers , Paul was in the performance wave of 120 swimmers that set off at 4.32 am , 99% of them fast wet suited swimmers Paul was in his trunks , Paul words…the start was manic, arms and legs and swimmers swimming over and through , it was just a big splash for the1st 10 minutes, but after that it settled down , and it became easier to swim and race , also in was getting lighter the closer we got to Henley finish…!! The water temp was good at 17 degrees so did not feel cold at all…almost warm, when I finally finished..!!! I looked around to the beautiful view Henley …it was truly breathtaking at that time of the morning…

Paul has produced a great swim , placing him second in the Open traditional  Section on the Race, a great result for the 45 yr old , it also placed him in the top 50 swimmers overall out of 800..!! paul said . The Henley Swim is without doubt amongst the most iconic challenges i have ever done over the past 30yrs of swimming.

it was another amazing swim by the Perry beeches master, who next swim is only 11 days away, when he and his Pip`s Double Channel Team mates take on epic 2 way swim of the English channel in memory of Philippa Thomas from Sutton Coldfield’s who lost her 2 yr battle with Breast Cancer in October 2012…everyone at Perry Beeches wish Paul and lads in there epic swim for Breakthrough Breast Cancer in 11 days time..(If u wishes to support the team there just giving details are   http://www.justgiving.com/pipschannelswimteam )

Event Summary Date: Sunday 30th June 2013 Location: Henley-on-Thames Distance: 2.1km river upstream Times: Sat Registrations 2 – 6pm Sunday Registrations 2.00am Safety briefing 4.10am Race start 4.30am Categories: Elite Open Traditional Masters 45-54 Masters 55+ Junior Sporting category — in Henley on Thames, United Kingdom.

Paul pictured with his idol – Graham Bell, 5 times Olympic Skier, who also swam at the Henley Classic.

Here is a YouTube clip of the event:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aho-yvbMW1o