Women’s swim night is returning to EA Networks Centre once a month until the end of the year.

This follows an earlier trial in response to a call for women’s only sessions to help support women and girls’ confidence in using the pool facilities.

The sessions will run from 7pm until 8.30pm and the first will be on Wednesday 11 September.

People and facilities group manager Sarah Mosley said that all women, girls and boys (up to and including the age of 10) would be able to experience swimming in a private space.

“The entire pool area will be visually separated from adjacent areas by blinds and screens providing greater privacy.”

Women’s only swim sessions are popular offerings nationwide as they create an environment that eliminates barriers some women have in regards to public swimming pools, she said.

“We’ve heard that the privacy allows people to experience an increased sense of safety, greater confidence, more relaxed social time and a support for their religious or cultural beliefs.

“Women can relax in the spa or steam room, swim some laps in the lane pool, splash with kids on the wet deck or learn about water safety to further their water confidence.”

Participants will pay $5 each, with children under 10 years old welcome to attend for free.

The EA Networks Centre offers a range of aqua and fitness programmes for targeted demographics in the community such as babies, school children, teens, mums, seniors and those with Parkinsons, prostate and breast cancer.

The other dates scheduled for women’s swim night are 16 October, 13 November, 11 December – all Wednesdays. On each date the pool area will close slightly earlier (6.30pm) for the public.

For more information, please contact the EA Networks Centre on 308-4020 or email eanccsr@adc.govt.nz or via the contact form on eanetworkscentre.co.nz