East of England encouraged to "just keep moving" with Tom Daley, Becky Adlington and Finding Dory!

Disney, Change4Life and the Amateur Swimming Association have launched a summer of activity to get families moving.

British sporting champions Tom Daley and Becky Adlington are encouraging children to ‘just keep moving’ this summer, as they launch nationwide interactive family swim sessions and a brand new 10 Minute Shake Up campaign – all inspired by the new Disney·Pixar blockbuster, Finding Dory.

The joint Disney, Change4Life and the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) campaign launches family swim sessions at hundreds of pools across the UK as well as new 10 Minute Shake Up activities, in a bid to make exercise fun and help children get the 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity they need each day.

The Finding Dory inspired swim sessions, which are co-created with the ASA and run from 22^nd July until 4^th September, will provide an hour of in-water storytelling for the whole family, teaching children key swimming skills as they are taken on a journey with Dory and friends, led by trained instructors.

These interactive family swim sessions will be taking place at 52 pools across the East of England and booking for the swimming sessions is now available at the following Hertfordshire locations, amongst others:

• Watford Central Leisure Centre, Watford
• Westminster Lodge, St Albans
• Harpenden Swimming Pool, Harpenden
• Watford Leisure Centre- Woodside, Garston
• William Penn Leisure Centre, Rickmansworth
• Furzefield Centre, Potters Bar
• The Venue, Borehamwood

For 2016, there are even more interactive Shake Ups than last year, which can be found online, including those inspired by the new Disney·Pixar film, Finding Dory.

Campaign ambassador Becky Adlington, who stars in a series of films sharing her top tips for inspiring children to get active, comments: “Since I stopped competitive swimming a few years ago, I understand how tricky it can be to fit exercise into a busy routine – and also make it fun. As a mum, it’s even harder. But I’m passionate about inspiring the future generation to get active and that’s why I’m supporting this summer’s campaign from Disney, Change4Life and the ASA. The summer holidays can seem really long but there are loads of great ideas to get kids up and about with new 10 Minute Shake Ups, and what better way to spend time together than enjoying a family swim session where you’re learning key skills.”

Becky Adlington, multiple Olympic, World, Commonwealth and European medalist

A recent survey, commissioned by Disney, Change4Life and the ASA revealed that three quarters of children aged 5 to 11 (73%) want to do more physical activity, and 56% of children miss taking part in school PE lessons over the summer. Finding ways for their children to be active is a challenge faced by families, with 61% of parents saying they struggle for ideas during the school holidays.

The research showed that more than half of children (55%) said that swimming is one of their favourite ways to keep physically active during the summer holidays. 39% of 5 to 11 year olds also said that they would want to go swimming more often if they could go with family members.

Physical activity helps children build social skills, boost self-confidence, improve bone and heart health and maintain a healthy weight, yet just 21% of boys and 16% of girls currently meet the national recommended level of activity of 60 minutes each day.

Search Change4Life online for Disney and Finding Dory inspired 10 Minute Shake Ups and don’t forget to book your swim session today at www.disney.co.uk/justkeepmoving. 

Adam Paker, Chief Executive of the ASA says:

“Swimming is one of those brilliant activities that you can enjoy at any age, making it fantastic for families. We wanted to make the Finding Dory inspired swim sessions as fun as possible, creating a range of activities that use key swimming skills supported with the excitement of storytelling – reminding children that swimming isn’t just about learning to swim lengths, it’s about having fun. Children will learn new skills and become more confident in the water whilst having a great time with the family.

“We know that swimming is a great way for children to stay fit and it’s encouraging that more than half of children see swimming as one of their favourite ways to keep physically active during the summer holidays. We hope that families will join in these sessions and take away new ideas that they can continue to do any time they go swimming.”