UP to 1,000 local youngsters will get the chance to learn to swim for free over the coming months, thanks to a valuable collaboration between Bay Venues and McLeods.

Bay Venues programme manager Tina Harris-Ririnui says generous support from McLeods means children aged three and under will get to benefit from a full term of free swimming lessons.

Anne Macleod, the first woman to become a life member of the NZ Swim Coaches and Teachers Association. Photo: Supplied.

The Aquababes parent and child swimming lessons will be held during term three in the heated pools at Baywave and Greerton Aquatic Centre.

Parents are urged to register their young children for lessons during this term, as those in the term two Aquababes programme will be given first priority for the free lessons.

Thereafter, the free lessons will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. The would-be Aquababes must be three months or older.

McLeod's managing director Scott McLeod says the programme sits nicely with the company's safety first philosophy, and on-going support for water-safety initiatives.

McLeod Group has been a major sponsor to NZ Swim Coaches and Teachers' Conference for the past three years, has supported national and local surf lifesaving endeavours for the past 20 years, and been swimming's major sponsor at the AIMS Games for the past three years.

Aquababes is also a good fit, he says, given his mother's key involvement in the New Zealand swimming and water safety scene.

Anne McLeod, along with her late husband Curly, established the McLeod Group and has received many prestigious national swimming awards for her 'outstanding” contribution to learning to swim and water safety programmes.

She was the first woman to become a life member of the NZ Swim Coaches and Teachers Association.

Anne was a competitive swimmer and has taught hundreds of local children to swim, including Olympian Moss Burmester.

'Swimming is a passion for me,” admits Anne, 'and this programme is close to my heart as it involves babies.

'Babies are not born with fear, so it's a great thing if you can get them to be happy in water at an early age. Once you have that, learning to swim is easy.

'I would like to see babies, pre-schoolers and young school children all having the opportunity to access learn to swim classes and be happy in, on and under the water.

'The safety aspect is highly important. I believe swimming is the most important skill for children to learn in this country as we are surrounded by water.”

To enrol your child, phone Baywave TECT Aquatic & Leisure Centre on: 577 8550 or Greerton Aquatic & Leisure Centre on: 577 8552.