Wrexham swimmers help complete Cardiff to Adelaide distance challenge!

Swimmers from leisure centres across Wrexham have helped smash a target of swimming nearly 20,000 miles in times for the Commonwealth Games – the equivalent of swimming between Cardiff and Adelaide!

Last month seventeen Welsh leisure centres operated by Freedom Leisure on behalf of Wrexham County Borough Council and Powys District Council committed themselves to a challenge to swim the 10,245 mile distance between Cardiff and Adelaide in a show of support for Team Wales.

It was hoped that by recording and totalling all the lengths swum by customers and staff that they would make it in time for the launch of the Commonwealth Games.

With the challenge starting on ‘We Are Red’ day, swimmers had 11 days to make the total and wanted to do by midnight on the 3 April – as to metaphorically be in Adelaide to support Team Wales in time for the opening of the 2018 Common Wealth Games.

During the duration of the challenge centres recorded total number of lengths swum by over 3500 children during their swim lessons, as well as laps covered by local swimming clubs, individual swimmers and staff.

However not only did the swimmers help reach the target, they also far surpassed it back racking up a 19,255 miles – enough to swim there and almost back again.

Hywell Evans, Freedom Leisure aquatics development, said they have been “blown away by everyone’s dedication to help us succeed”.

“When we first came up with the idea we were not sure if we would make it but we ended up swimming nearly double – which we have all joked has almost got us home again,” continued Hywell.

“It really has been a fantastic team effort by our staff and customers across Wales, and it has been humbling to watch.

“We have had children swimming just one length to add to our total, club swimmers pushing hard in sessions for extra lengths, customers coming in several times over to help, and staff swimming after their shifts, all to get behind the Welsh Team.

“I think it was all made worth it seeing Jazz Carlin carrying the Welsh flag in the opening ceremony.”

Jeremy Rowe, Freedom Leisure head of operations Wales, said: “This wonderful challenge was great on so many levels; it celebrated Freedom Leisure’s longstanding partnerships in Wales by allowing us to show our support for Team Wales, while also providing a fun yet challenging way for our 750 plus staff and 2 million plus annual visitors to get behind them too.

“However, we also hoped that it would help to get locals engaged in swimming and support our two local authority partners in Wales with their commitment to supporting local active communities.

“In addition our close partnerships with both Sport Wales and Swim Wales will mean that we and continually strive to increase participation in sport across and swimming in Wales.

Cllr Andrew Atkinson, lead member with responsibility for leisure on Wrexham Council, added: “Well done to all those who took part in this fantastic challenge organised by Freedom Leisure.

“It was a superb way to encourage greater participation in swimming and get behind Team Wales at the same time.”