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Monica Bodden visited and found herself like a fish out of water:....

Monica Bodden, Reporting
This morning the YWCA pool was over-run with primary schoolers - showing off their best swimming techniques for the camera - while getting prepared for a swim race.

Nicole Cavlovich - Pool Coordinator
"Each school will race against each other and from there we'll pick the top ones from their school will advance to go the next round. Then they will race against all the schools that are here and then the ones who win sideways race will win small medals then we will have the long ways race and we will take the top six and then they will have a race and then the top 4. The top 4 whoever is the overall top swimmers will race for big medals and also for a trophy for their school."

And then it was "on the mark - get set - go "as the students splashed off in a blur. It's clearly not the Olympics but for these youngsters the competition is just as big. Many have learned how to swim, dive and float - skills they wouldn't have imagined mastering 9 weeks ago.

Monica Bodden
"Can you tell me a little bit about the swimming program? How has it been for you?"

Shamika Reid - Ebenezer Methodist Primary School
"Fun. I finally learn how to swim."

Monica Bodden
"When you first started in February was it difficult, challenging a bit?"

Shamika Reid
"Difficult."

Monica Bodden
"You didn't know how to swim then?"

Shamika Reid
"No."

Monica Bodden
"And now you are competing in a competition."

Shamika Reid
"Pretty much, yes."

Monica Bodden
"You think you are ready for it?"

Shamika Reid
"No."

Monica Bodden
"No? Were you a little bit scared of the water when you just came to the Y in February."

Shamika Reid
"Yes mam."

Monica Bodden
"But now I see you are splashing around and having fun."

Shamika Reid
"Yes mam."

Monica Bodden
"Different feel now. Now what's your favourite thing to do in the water?"

Shamika Reid
"Float."

Monica Bodden
"What are some of the techniques that you have learnt?"

Shamika Reid
"The jellyfish and the float and how to doggy paddle."

Monica Bodden
"You're a part of this competition right?"

Lucilla Bartley, Stella Maris Primary School
"Yes ma'am."

Monica Bodden
"Are you ready for it?"

Lucilla Bartley
"Yes ma'am."

Monica Bodden
"You think you are going to walk away with one of the medals?"

Lucilla Bartley
"Yes."

Monica Bodden "What's the most fun thing to do in the pool for you?"

Lucilla Bartley
"Swimming and diving."

Monica Bodden
"When you came here in February, were you swimming already or you just learn to swim?"

Britney Reid - Ebenezer Methodist Primary School
"Just learn to swim."

Monica Bodden
"Were you scared of the water?"

Britney Reid
"No ma'am."

Monica Bodden
"Not at all?"

Britney Reid
"No ma'am."

Monica Bodden
"What are the some of the stuff that you learned here at the Y?"

Britney Reid
"The float, jellyfish, diving and how to swim."

Monica Bodden
"You are taking part in today's competition?"

Britney Reid
"Yes ma'am."

Today's swimming competition is a part of a swimming program funded by the Fiona Stevenson Organization in the UK. Since February, four schools including - Queen Street Baptist, Stella Maris, Ebenezer Methodist and Central Assembly have been taking swimming lessons at the YWCA swimming pool.

Nicole Cavlovich
"They came once a week, each school had their designated time they come once a week and they get pick up and they come for an hour and they do swimming and then they leave and now it's the final time."

Reporting for Seven news, Monica Bodden.

82 Primary School students took part in the swimming program at the YWCA. The 9 week program wrapped up today with the swimming competition.