Today, GSD attended the launch of the scheme 5 times 60 scheme as detailed below. SurfGSD for the last two years has been working on a pilot scheme with Gowerton comp' which has been so successful it is going to be expanded to other schools and therefore increasing 'social opportunity' as regards to surfing to more areas in Swansea. I had a chat with the Deputy Lord Mayor Mr Ioan Richards and he confessed to being a keen surfer! Look out Britain, looks like Swansea is truly going to be a force in surfing.
City and County of Swansea
Website URL : http://www.swansea.gov.uk/index.cfm?articleid=14983 Tuesday 5 December 2006
Schools sign up to fitness and fun
Rock-climbing, surfing and orienteering will be among the activities
pupils from three Swansea Secondary Schools will be able to get a taste
of with the launch of a new activity programme.
Menter Iaith - surfing Menter Iaith - surfing
On Tuesday, pupils from Dylan Thomas, Gowerton and Pontarddulais schools will get together as the 5 x 60 programme kicks off in Swansea.
5 x 60 is a national physical activity programme designed by the Sports Council for Wales in partnership with Swansea Council's 5x60 officers, Rhian Horlock, Lyndsay Cole and Sarah Mccoubrey, and Swansea schools.
The programme echoes the success of the UK-wide five-a-day fruit and vegetable campaign and it's hoped as many schools as possible will join in.
The programme encourages young people to get involved in regular physical activity, roughly one hour, five days a week, whatever their ability.
This could be through traditional competitive sporting opportunities such as lunch time football or netball league or non-competitive sports such as walking, Frisbee, cheer-leading, swimming, aerobics, street dance or Boxercise.
If team sports aren't your thing, outdoor activities such as surfing, mountain walking, orienteering and cycling are also a fun way to get fit.
Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Education, Mike Day said, "The main point of the programme is to encourage young people to get involved activities they enjoy. By teaming up on the 5x60 programme, the Sports Council for Wales, schools and Council officers are helping to ensure that young people are more likely to continue with physical activity on a regular basis."
Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, Gerald Clement said, "There are a huge range of opportunities for young people to take part in physical recreation in Swansea. The 5 x 60 campaign highlights to young people that if you can get fit and have fun, even if you aren't a fan of traditional competitive sports. Starting young is a key way to ensure a healthy lifestyle."
The main benefits offered by 5 x 60 are:
* A fun, safe environment in which young people can achieve success at their own level and pace
* A young person centred approach
* Motivation to enjoy taking part, without judgement about ability
* Recognition for their achievement and encouragement to progress to regular and frequent physical activity
© 2006 City and County of Swansea, County Hall, Oystermouth Road, Swansea SA1 3SN. Telephone: Fax:
