Why keeping your “get in shape” resolution may be easier than you think:

Looking for a way to stay fit without all the fanfare? Something that’s easy on both your knees and budget?

You’ve probably been told many times that swimming is “the only sport that exercises all your muscles”, “risk free” and “harder to forget than it is to learn.” Newsflash:

Whoever told you was right.

“Swimming is a healthy activity that can be continued for a lifetime,” said Fitness and Sports Instructor Joanna Jarrett, listing things such as heart and lung fitness and a relatively low impact on joints as excellent reasons to start swimming.

According to Jarrett, any healthy individual who can swim a minimum of 100m (four times across the pool) can join a team without problems. Now that’s settled, the next step is research – finding a team that’s right for you; affordable, well coached and not loaded with Speedo-clad, muscle-flexing University students (unless you like that sort of thing)

In your search you’ll probably come across “dolphins” and “sharks”, “swordfish” and “guppies”, so when you discover

“The Flying Tigers Swim Team” you may want to do a double take. Don’t judge a book by its cover, or in this case its title. FTST is a competitive team that trains four times a week at the 17 Wing Community Recreation Center.

“The environment is friendly and welcoming,” said Flying Tiger, Leonie Todd, 13. “Although there are swim meets, and practices are taken seriously – most of the time – the team is not as competitive as other teams and therefore there is not as much pressure.”

As one of three age-group swimmers, Todd has the opportunity of improving her skills without the hassle of an overcrowded pool – and with an average of one coach for every three athletes, there is no shortage of instruction. The coaching and hard work paid off at Pan-Am Pool’s invitational swim meet in December.

“I was a little nervous at first but later realized that it was a lot of fun and a chance for me to find out my weaknesses and strengths,” said Todd, who won her free-style heat. “My trainers took time and prepared me well.”With seven 18+ swimmers, the Masters team is somewhat more lively than the age-group lane, and also attends meets regularly.

“There are different levels of fitness with the Flying Tigers,” said Jarrett, 37, who began swimming with the Flying Tigers recently. “If you feel like you aren’t good enough to join, Flying Tigers will help you get there. Its atmosphere is very encouraging.

”Of course no team is complete without coaches, and FTST is no exception; a total of four trainers motivate swimmers throughout the week with stroke improvement, drills and mock relays.

“Being a coach is very rewarding,” said George Meldrum, who helps train the team. “Seeing people take what you teach and improve as a swimmer and as a person…Plus the fees are really inexpensive and it is a small team so swimmers get lots of individual attention.

”If you’re interested in learning new skills or perhaps polishing some old ones, drop by the 17 Wing pool and test the water, you won’t be disappointed.

Training times are Mondays & Tuesdays 20:00 – 21:30, Friday 6:30 – 7:30 and Sunday 10:00 – 11:30.

For more information contact George Meldrum at 415-1797 or 833-2500 ext 5598