{"id":266368,"date":"2025-08-07T13:27:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T11:27:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/?p=266368"},"modified":"2025-08-07T13:27:13","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T11:27:13","slug":"swimming-lessons-to-save-lives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/swimming-lessons-to-save-lives\/","title":{"rendered":"Swimming lessons to save lives"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The manager for Xceptional Aquatics, Tanya Wolff, confirmed that swimming classes have started at Umtata Health Club in Mthatha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She explained that these lessons aim to reduce drownings in rural and local areas by equipping people with lifesaving skills. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;These classes start from four years of age and upwards. We train anyone willing to learn, regardless of where they come from. We don&#8217;t have a set timeframe because we don&#8217;t rush people \u2014 we allow them to progress at their own pace,&#8221; said Wolff.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She added that the classes run from 8:00 to 17:00 on weekdays. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Participants pay R450 per month and attend three times per week. Wolff noted that swimming helps children lose weight and relieve stress, among many other benefits. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8220;Besides training children, we also work with officers from various institutions, including the South African Police Service,&#8221; she said.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Wolff emphasised that swimming is a crucial life skill that should be accessible to everyone. According to her, it not only saves lives but also enables swimmers to save others. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>She highlighted that many people lose their lives in rivers, dams, and seas, but learning to swim can prevent numerous deaths in the country.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For more information, interested individuals can email xceptionalgym@gmail.com or call 081 739 772.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/mthathaexpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/IMG-20250725-WA0030_72820.jpg\" alt=\"\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">One of the Coaches at Xceptional Aquatics showing his talent at Umtata Health Club in Mthatha. PHOTO: SUPPLIED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The manager for Xceptional Aquatics, Tanya Wolff, confirmed that swimming classes have started at Umtata Health Club in Mthatha. She explained that these lessons aim to reduce drownings in rural 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Njara (5), from Mthatha, learning how to swim at Xceptional Aquatics in Umtata Health Club in Mthatha. \r\nPHOTO: SUPPLIED","article_media_icon":"1","article_template":"news","author_byline":"Babalwa Ndlanya","background_color":"","block_editor":"1","byline":"","cmplz_hide_cookiebanner":"","competition_end_date":"","contact_advertise_email":"","contact_advertise_phone":"","contact_editorial_email":"","contact_general_email":"","contact_general_phone":"","contact_office_hours":"","contact_physical_address":"","enabled":"","featured_image_custom_caption":"","featured_video_url":"","fields":"","font_body":"","font_header":"","frequency":"","headline":"Swimming lessons to save 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