Swimming a way of life for Kelliemarie

Kelliemarie Kemp can't remember a time when the AC Baths and Swim School weren't a part of her life - and that's just the way she likes it.

The 12-year-old started swimming lessons when she was about three, because, in her mother Bridget's words, "she was keen in the water, she really wanted to be in the water, but she had more confidence than ability!"

Kelliemarie worked her way up through the levels at the Swim School over the years, and said it was a great environment for learning. Students are rewarded with stickers for a chart so they can track their progress.

"It's like you're getting rewarded for doing things well and that's cool," Kelliemarie said.

"They hold you up and make sure you're okay when you're swimming."

Now that she's made her way through to the top level, she now trains with a swim squad and swims competitively. The AC Baths, she said, is "basically like a second home".

"I just like the feeling of the water."

Bridget said she had watched her daughter go from strength to strength learning at the AC Baths, and had nothing but praise for the Swim School.

"The instructors really watch your child and focus on the individual."

In a place like the Taupo District, swimming and water safety skills were essential, with the many lakes and rivers around, she said.

Swim School Supervisor Lorraine Te Punga said putting children through the AC Baths Swim School was invaluable for parents, as it provided essential life and survival skills.

"A lot of the time we have a wait list for people wanting to join the classes because the school is so popular. It's fantastic our community is embracing swimming as a life skill and to see so many strong swimmers coming out of the school all the time."

In 2015, the AC Baths Swim School became the first programme in the country to be presented with a gold accreditation by Quality Swim Schools, and last year head coach Robyn Schwass won the highest accolade a swimming teacher can aspire to in New Zealand - the Nan Nevin Award for an outstanding contribution to teaching swimming and water safety.

The school caters to six-month-old babies through to adults.

Visit www.taupo.govt.nz/swimschool for more information.