COACH Ed Stevens has described the teaching groups at the Tornadoes of South Dorset as the club's lifeblood'.

The successful swimming outfit is based at The Osprey Centre on Portland and is renowned not only for its top-class teaching methods but also its friendly atmosphere.

Whether people are learning to swim, taking part purely for fitness or competing in club or national competitions, the Tornadoes are there to help and Stevens is delighted with the growing numbers attending the various sessions on offer.

He said: "The squads are getting bigger and bigger because of the hard work that is being carried out in the teaching groups, which are the club's lifeblood.

"It is the teaching groups that bring in the new swimmers and keep the club progressing, and we welcome everyone.

"The benefits of swimming are fantastic. It is an awesome activity for keeping fit and of course it is also an important skill for children to learn in terms of family holidays and beach safety.

"There is also a tremendous team ethic at the club and those who join are sure to make some fantastic friends."

The Portland-based club is also ideal for those swimmers who wish to take their skills on to a more competitive level. There is no more evidence for that than the recent accomplishments of youngsters Tom Mules and Jazmine Hepburn.

Stevens added: "Tom qualified for the Nationals last year which is the biggest event for his age group and saw him compete against the best in the country.

"The Nationals only happen once a year and although Jaz is not old enough yet, it is a case of when rather than if with her. She will compete in them one day and that is something that she can really look forward to.

"There are others who are doing really well as well which is fantastic. Although we are quite a big club people tend to look at places like Millfield and the city clubs as the places to be if you want to progress but as Tom and Jaz are proving that is not necessarily the case.

"We have got a national squad, a junior squad and a development squad and as long as the swim- mers show the commitment and determination that is needed they will always have a great chance of doing well in the sport."

The Tornadoes of South Dorset run sessions for five-year-old and upwards, and anyone interested in joining should contact club secretary Sharon Howe on 814105.