They might be unlikely swimming buddies, but 68-year-old Pam Adams and 10-year-old Jewel Jose share something in common – just ten weeks ago, neither was comfortable in the water.

A unique swimming programme at Cromwell’s council pool brought them together, along with more than a dozen other wāhine toa. 

Every Wednesday, they gathered for a women’s-only swim club to face their fears and, with support from local lifeguards and instructors, take the plunge – both literally and figuratively.

“I’ve been trying to swim all my life,” Pam said. 

“But I didn’t do enough of it to get confident. I saw this advertised and thought, ‘Better late than never’.”

Pam, who lives in Clyde, said her childhood in Southland shaped her attitude toward water.

“We had this inherent fear of water,” she said. 

Rajbir Kaur and Sandeep Kaur in the pool. Image: Supplied

“We’d go to the river and Mum couldn’t swim. She would say, ‘Be careful, don’t go deep,’ because she couldn’t help us if she had to.”

Jewel’s story is different, yet similar.

Her life started in Kerala, India, with its long coastline and network of backwaters, but swimming wasn’t part of her early childhood.

“I wanted to learn to swim,” Jewel said, recalling what drew her to the programme.

The scariest part? “Jumping into the deep end.” The proudest? “Learning everyone’s names.”

This week, instead of bringing their togs and towels, the group met for a celebration – sharing kai, stories, and certificates to mark how far they’d come.

“It was about much more than swimming,” Pam said. 

“We laughed and hooted and splashed and played games. For me, it was about the connection. It’s a really valuable thing to have that connection with others.”

Lifeguard Kim Townsend said she was quick to put up her hand to be involved in the programme.

“You see the smiles and the confidence grow,” she said.

The Women’s Wednesdays crew celebrate growing connections and confidence in the water. Image: The Central App

“Just women uplifting women - it’s really powerful.”

Swim instructor Karen Courtney said she kept sessions relaxed, knowing some participants had never been in a pool before, and making it a women’s-only space was important.

“You didn’t have to worry about what you looked like,” she said. 

For Karen, the reward was huge.

“Seeing them floating on their backs, floating through [fake] seaweed - it was just so cool.”

Now, there are plans for a WhatsApp group to keep the friendships afloat through social swims. Jewel hopes to continue improving her technique and one day join the Cromwell Swim Club.

The future of Women’s Wednesdays – a collaboration between Central Otago District Council’s Welcoming Communities, Sport Central, and the pool team – is still being discussed, but key organiser Heather Harries is determined to keep it going.

“We’ve all said this needs to continue,” she said. 

Plans are underway for a “give-it-a-go” night at Alexandra Pool, with “no pressure, no expectations”, aimed at adults who aren’t confident in the water, and interest in a men’s only option is being gauged.

Recalling watching someone master the art of floating on their back for the first time, Heather said she had goosebumps: “It was pretty amazing to witness those moments”.