Home-grown Manager for South Molton Swimming Pool

1610 are pleased to announce the recruitment of local lad Sam Mason as its Swim Development Manager at South Molton Pool. Sam trained as a lifeguard at South Molton Pool at 16 years old over ten years ago, as well as qualifying as Level 1 Swim Teacher. He is now looking forward to inspiring the next generation of swimmers at South Molton.

Sam grew up in South Molton but in 2016 moved away to the Cotswolds where he worked at a local leisure centre as a Duty Manager and Swim Teacher. He moved back to South Molton a couple of years ago to be closer to family and support the local family business but his passion for swimming has remained.

Sam said “For the last two years I have been working for the family business as well as teaching swimming at South Molton Pool and Torridge Pool, however when this opportunity came up to become the Swim Development Manager for South Molton pool I knew it was something I wanted to do.

Growing up in South Molton I know how important the pool is to the local community, especially to provide a place for children to learn to swim locally. I want to ensure we can make the pool a success and be able to offer a swimming provision that gives the pool a sustainable future. There are some exciting plans and development ideas for the pool, including setting up its very own swimming club to try and encourage the next generation of passionate swimmers.”

Sam and the 1610 team are now busy recruiting a number of staff including lifeguards, swim teachers and even the opportunity for trainee swim teachers, for anyone looking for a new career in swimming.

The last 18 months have been a difficult time for swimming provision due to the Covid Pandemic and the closure of pools for so long. This has been highlighted by the sport’s governing body Swim England, who said that more than 5million swimming sessions were lost during the pandemic. This has then been exacerbated by the lack of swim teachers and lifeguards nationally when trying to relaunch.

The aim now is to reopen pool on Monday 11th October for Junior swim lessons and in November relaunch a full programme of activities including junior swim lessons, school swimming, aqua classes and some casual swimming once full team has been recruited and trained. 1610 have obtained some funding which allows it to relaunch the pool and trial a range of sessions in the hope they will become self-sustaining if the local community regularly use the pool.

For more information on South Molton Pool visit https://www.1610.org.uk/centres/south_molton/ . All enquiries about swimming lessons, school support and private hire to go to southmolton@1610.org.uk.

Notes for Editors: 1610 is a non-profit making leisure trust which manages 10 leisure facilities across Somerset, Devon and Dorset. 1610 aims to help people live fuller, richer lives through having an active body and an active mind.

For more information about 1610 or if you require further information or images associated with this press release contact Rebecca Sawtell rsawtell@1610.org.uk  or on 07808767468