The first crew to set sail with the Jolly Roger Swim School on Saturday could not have been more aptly named for a pair of young pirates.
Carterton boys Matthew, 7, and Lyon Rodger, 4, came hand-in-hand with mum Loren to the Carterton Indoor Pools to be the first to signon with the new school.
Co-founder Lynn Wiffen said the school will be providing a vital service for children living south of Masterton who want to "learn to swim before they walk the plank".
Ms Wiffen said Jolly Roger is Swimming New Zealand-certified as a Quality Swim School and was established with fellow swim instructor Melissa Staines.
The women hold qualifications to instruct infant, pre-school (3 to 5 years) and school age (5 years and over) swimmers and together have 16 years of teaching experience in the water.
She said lessons will be held on Fridays and Sundays and swimmers will be placed into one of four classes, depending on their abilities.
"All swimmers will be working towards set goals in their class, before progressing to the next level," she said.
The parent or guardian will take the water along with their children and the emphasis of the classes will be on "fun and stimulating activities designed for the children to gain confidence in the water, teach water safety and improve swimming skills", Ms Wiffen said.
Swimmers can continue with the Russell Geange Swim Academy and on to the Carterton Swimming Club, she said.
"We are both excited to be launching our own swim school. We have been made aware from Wairarapa families of a demand for indoor lessons to operate south of Masterton," Ms Wiffen said.
For the start of Term 2 there is an introductory offer for a series of 11 lessons at $93.50 for each swimmer.
For more information call (06) 377 3733 or (06) 304 8969 or send an email to jolly.roger@xtra.co.nz.
