Wales’ oldest master swimmer and British, European and international medal winner, Emily Godsall joined a wealth of swimmers aged 60 and over for a free Aqua Fit session at Caerphilly Leisure Centre this week – to highlight the health and social benefits of Free Swimming for people aged 60+.

The Welsh Assembly Government launched the 60+ Free Swimming scheme in 2004 and since then, over a million free swims have been provided in local authority swimming pools across Wales. Swimming holds a wealth of benefits for both body and mind, and with free access to local authority pools outside of school holidays, there has never been a better time for people aged 60 and over to introduce fitness into their daily routine.

"Swimming is a sport for any age," says Emily Godsall. "I didn’t take up swimming until the ripe old age of 72 and now, at 90, I have more than 200 medals to my name!

"I have been coaching swimming and competing in the sport’s amateur championships at national, European and international level for years so have a wealth of experience as to its benefits. The 60+ Free Swimming scheme is a fantastic incentive for us older generation to gently introduce exercise into our lives again, reaping the rewards of energy, flexibility and strength that swimming affords."