ADULTS with life-long phobias of swimming are returning to the water helped by a new Winsford initiative designed to conquer their fears.

Coaching sessions, aimed at those who have had bad childhood experiences of swimming, are taking place at Winsford Lifestyle Centre under the guidance of Brio Leisure swim coach, Lauren Senior.

The one-to-one and group sessions are proving a hit for those who have spent a lifetime living in dread of drowning.

Retired manufacturing worker Rose Botterill, 61, decided to take the plunge after more than 50 years of avoiding getting into deep water.

“It was a huge step for me to go into the swimming pool,” said Rose. “When I was a child I used to go swimming but another child jumped in on top of me when I was in the water. I was five and when he landed on me and I ended up at the bottom of the pool.

“After that you couldn’t get me in swimming pools or the sea. My daughter can swim and so can my husband and they used to enjoy going into the water for a swim. If I had to go near a swimming pool I would stand at the shallow end paddling and not do anything else.”

Now Rose is a regular in the pool at the Winsford Lifestyle Centre and in the gym and the initiative has made a huge difference to her health and fitness.

Rose added: “I stopped working through ill-health when I was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. I used to go the gym but didn’t do a lot and then someone suggested getting into the pool.

“It was a huge step for me but Lauren was a brilliant teacher and gradually I improved. It was so uplifting to actually swim after all those years. I felt as if I had achieved so much.”

Instructor Lauren uses a variety of confidence building techniques to encourage non-swimmers.

Lauren said: “It’s a series of small steps, building confidence in the water and learning to trust your ability. It’s amazing how quickly people develop, even if they have had a lifelong fear of water.”