Momentum Namibia and Swabou launched the 18th Swim for Life event at the Olympia Swimming pool on Monday and handed over an amount of N$ 60 000 to stage the event.
Vido Tjozongoro of FNB Namibia said, when conducting some research into the sport of swimming he came across numerous interesting articles, which stated that the gym, Yoga and aerobics were all great to get into shape but apparently an hour in the pool could beat them all.
“Swimming is a great workout for the upper and lower body and there are numerous benefits of swimming – one of them being, that regardless of age, anyone can learn how to swim,” he said.
In an address, on behalf of Etienne Brits, CEO of Momentum Namibia, Tjozongoro said: “Swimming is first and foremost a brilliant form of exercise. It raises your heartbeat and thus increases the blood circulation through the entire body. Swimming is primarily an upper body exercise as you end up using your arms, shoulders and chest to propel yourself forward. But it would not be wrong to say that it is a complete body exercise as it helps in losing weight. It is important for any life insurance company to promote healthy living – hence Swabou’s involvement in the Swim for Life event for such a long time,” he added.
Swimming is however not only a form of exercise. It can also be therapeutic, helping people ailing with arthritis, weight problems, and back problems as this form of exercise does not put unnecessary pressure and avoids pain. It is also good for people with lung conditions like asthma as the air around the pool is humid which makes it easier to breathe. Thirdly, swimming is a fun activity as it not only keeps you fit but you can also enjoy going swimming with friends and family for an outing.
Swim for Life is the flagship sponsorship at Swabou and the event is scheduled for the 6th of March 2010. It will take place in major towns such as Windhoek, Ogwendiva, Mariental, Keetmanshoop, Swakopmund, Walvisbay and Oranjemund.
SWABOU extended an invitation to all swimmers and family members to come out in numbers to participate and have fun at this event and to benefit from the numerous advantages that this sport has to offer.
Tjozongoro called on clubs and schools and young and old individuals alike to enter the event, which will be free of charge. There will be numerous prizes ranging from awards for the youngest and oldest individual swimmers to age group prizes and team prizes.
The president of the Namibia Swimming Union Dr Joggie Briedenhann said that some of Namibia’s top swimmers had graduated through the Swim for Life event.
“For many children their first exposure to swimming in the longer 50m swimming pool came at the Swim for Life event and they have gone on to swim competitively. Last year for instance a silver medallist at the African Junior Championships came through the ranks of the Swim for Life event,” he said.
Briedenhann said they would hold a Learn to Swim gala with about 250 children at the Olympia Municipal pool on the same day, from 10h00 to 12h00, which would serve as a curtain raiser for the Swim for Life gala.