David Walliams launches British Gas SwimBritain

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Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams has donned his wetsuit to launch the British Gas SwimBritain challenge.

Channel-conqueror and Britain’s Got Talent judge David Walliams is joining a host of swimming stars including London 2012 medallists Rebecca Adlington, Michael Jamieson and Ellie Simmonds to take on the SwimBritain challenge this summer.

The initiative, which aims to encourage half a million more people to become regular swimmers by 2015, consists of a 1,000m swimming relay for teams of four.

Also inspiring the country to team up and take on SwimBritain – and appearing at one of the 11 events taking place in September – are Olympians Keri-anne Payne, Hannah Miley, Steve Parry, Duncan Goodhew and Mark Foster.

The event takes place at ten pools, and one open water venue, around the country between August 31st and September 29th (2013), and is open to swimmers of all abilities.

David and Olympian Keri-Anne Payne will be leading their own teams at the Blenheim Palace event (September 1st 2013).

British Gas has been supporting British Swimming at every level since 2009, from teaching children to swim to helping our top athletes perform on the world stage. In 2013, British Gas want everyone to get involved with the SwimBritain events taking place throughout the country in August and September.

There is a SwimBritain challenge for both adults and children, designed for teams of four or solo:

SwimBritain: a relay in 250m legs. Each team member swims four legs, 1000m in total, to reach the team goal of 4000m. Ten SwimBritain events are taking place in 50m pools around the country and there is an open water event taking place at Blenheim Palace.

Little SwimBritain: a relay in 125m legs for families and children aged between 8 and 16. Each team must include at least one adult. Each team member swims four legs, 500m total, to reach the team goal of 2000m.

SwimBritain DIY: solo swimmers can also take on the challenge by signing up to SwimBritain DIY at your local pool.

You don’t have to be an expert to take part, SwimBritain will help you swim further and better. With quality coaching sessions, motivation and encouragement from Britain’s swimming stars, and online training materials to support you along the way, SwimBritain provides everything you need to reach your goal.

For all fitness levels, swimming is also a great wat to get in shape. A gentle half-hour swim burns over 200 calories and a fast front crawl as many as an 8mph run! Swimming is a safe, low-impact exercise – with the water supporting your body, you can improve your aerobic fitness without putting any strain on your joints.

But the best thing about swimming is the relaxing, refreshing and liberating feeling of being in the water – the perfect way to wind down after a day at work or at school, or to spend the day during your holidays.