News

Women-only swimming set to return to Aquamoves

By Gianni Francis

Nov 24, 2021

Returning: The women-only swimming program at Aquamoves is back this weekend. Photo by Megan Fisher

The women-only swimming program is set return to Aquamoves, Shepparton, from 5.30pm to 8.30pm on Sunday, November 28.

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The campaign is designed to encourage women in the local community to get active through swimming and provide a judgment-free environment.

VicHealth chief executive Jerril Rechter said the fear of judgment — as well as actual experiences of judgment — stopped too many women from being physically active.

“Over half of Victorian women worry about being judged while exercising and for over 40 per cent this feeling of embarrassment or intimidation is so strong it actually stops them from taking part in sport or exercise,” Ms Rechter said.

Between 2018 and 2020, an average of 160 people attended monthly women-only swimming sessions at Aquamoves. Greater Shepparton City Council continued to provide the sessions monthly from March to May 2021 with an average of 73 people attending.

Now the council would like to hear from the community about how to best continue supporting and encouraging women of all ages and abilities to get active.

Community director Kaye Thomson is encouraging community feedback via a short survey available on the council’s Shaping Greater Shepparton website.

“Even if you are not interested in swimming, you will have the opportunity to let us know what other women’s-only activities you would like to participate in,” she said.