Free swimming class: Seniors in Ho Chi Minh City are excited to make friends with water

Free swimming classes organized by the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City, taught by 'Vietnam's swimming queen' Kieu Oanh, are bringing joy and health, helping the elderly who used to be afraid of water to now confidently stretch out on the lake's surface.

Mr. Loi joined swimming class with his two friends, all three of whom knew how to swim the breaststroke.

Photo: Cao Nhu Vinh

Free swimming classes in Ho Chi Minh City

Every year, Vietnam is hit by successive storms and floods, leaving many places submerged in water. The heartbreaking images from the flood-hit areas in recent days once again remind us of the importance of learning to swim.

Swimming is an important survival skill for everyone. In Ho Chi Minh City, there is a special free swimming class for the elderly that is quietly spreading that spirit: learning to be healthy, to be safe and so that no one is left behind in the water.

Classes take place every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:30 to 12:30, each class has about 40 students of different ages. The youngest is 10 years old, the oldest is 66 years old. Under the guidance of 2 coaches, one male and one female.

Ms. Nguyen Kieu Oanh - (blue shirt on the right) is helping people practice the frog swimming skill.

Photo: Cao Nhu Vinh

Each lesson is a slow but exciting journey. In particular, the coach is Ms. Nguyen Kieu Oanh, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Aquatic Sports Center, a former national athlete who was once known as "Vietnam's first swimming queen".

Among the group of students, Mr. Hoang Gia Loi (61 years old, Ho Chi Minh City) is one of the most active. After wiping his face after practice, he happily shared: "I learned about this class through newspapers and social networks. I really liked seeing people swimming but I never had the opportunity to learn. Now that the city is organizing a free class, I signed up right away."

Mr. Loi said that in the first few sessions in the water, he kept drinking water and panicking. But after only a few sessions, everything changed: "I'm on my 6th session, now I can swim 5 meters. Most importantly, I'm no longer afraid of water like before. When I get in the water, I feel calmer, know how to breathe, know how to handle things, that's the most valuable thing."

For him, the classroom is not only a place for physical training, but also a testament to the spirit of "it's never too late to start".

"Everyone should learn to swim"

Mr. Chung Tan Phong shares the reason for opening a swimming class and upcoming plans.

Photo: High as the Bay

Sharing with Thanh Nien Newspaper, Mr. Chung Tan Phong - Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Aquatic Sports Center said: "Free swimming classes are part of the city's plan, aiming at the goal that every resident of Ho Chi Minh City can practice at least one sport for free. With swimming, we especially focus on adults and the elderly, who had little opportunity to learn to swim before."

According to Mr. Phong, while students are taught swimming at school, adults often neglect this skill. Organizing classes at noon is to better suit the time of the elderly, freelance workers, and civil servants during breaks.

"The goal of the class is to help people get used to the water and master basic skills, especially breaststroke. We do not focus on achievements but on safety and health. In fact, many students can float and move after just a few sessions, which is very encouraging," he added.

A class with students of different ages

Photo: Cao Nhu Vinh

Thanks to the program's popularity, the number of people registering to participate is increasing. Compared to last year, the number of students in the free class has doubled, reflecting the real need of city residents to learn to swim not only for exercise but also for self-protection.

In this special class, there are no barriers of age or level. Each lesson is a small journey of joy - when a student first learns to float on the water, or when the whole class applauds and cheers for their friend who has just swum the first 5 meters.

From the initial fears and shaky steps, they have now found confidence and excitement. And in the midday sun of Saigon, that small swimming pool is not only a place to learn to swim - but also a place to teach people how to be brave in front of water, in front of their own fears.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/lop-boi-mien-phi-nguoi-cao-tuoi-tphcm-hao-hung-lam-ban-voi-nuoc-185251022132556669.htm