Swimmers will be able to have a go at swimming the equivalent of the English Channel and track their progress by downloading an iPhone app.
Splashpath is being introduced for users of Stoke-on-Trent City Council’s three pools, to make the venues even more user-friendly.
It will give swimmers at Fenton Manor Sports Complex, Dimensions Leisure Centre and New Horizons Sport and Leisure Centre comprehensive pool information on their iPhones at the touch of a button.
The app allows users to check the latest timetables and pool information, wherever they are or whatever they are doing.
Swimmers can take up challenges including ‘swim the channel’, ‘Loch Ness swim’ and ‘the great London swim’, and the app lets them record their visits and work towards the distances.
It also allows swimmers to communicate their swimming activities to friends via social media features.
Councillor Mark Meredith, cabinet member for economic development, culture and sport, said: “This app is a great way to increase participation in swimming and make our facilities even more accessible by giving people clear and simple information on where and when they can swim.
“The swimming challenges and achievement tracking programmes are ideal for people to set themselves fitness goals and have fun at the same time.”
The app, which costs nothing to download, will be launched on Monday, February 18 and an interactive pool programme linked to the app will also be added to the websites and Facebook pages of each participating pool.
There are more than 4,000 swimming pools across the country signed up on Splashpath.
For more details, call one of the centres involved or visit www.stoke.gov.uk/swimming
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For all media enquiries please contact Adam Blakeman in the Communications Department at Stoke-on-Trent City Council on 01782
232987.