Isabella wins lesson from Aussie swimming legend

Isabella Leggett this week had a once-in-a-lifetime swimming lesson – with four-time Olympian Emily Seebohm.

The 11-year-old from Lawnton won the lesson in a draw and on Tuesday Seebohm was at Albany Creek Leisure Centre to deliver the prize.

Before a sizeable crowd Seebohm, who has more than 30 international medals including gold and bronze from the Tokyo Games, covered “a mix of everything”.

“We started with the basics then kicking, strokes, underwater … it was fantastic to get in there, talk to everyone and have a swim with Isabella,” she said.

“I was really surprised how many people there were, it was quite a large group, but I love giving back to the sport which has given me so much.”

The lesson was a dream come true for Isabella, who is part of the Belgravia Leisure and Swimming Australia GOswim Swimming and Water Safety Program.

“When I first finished my sticker card, I had been asking nearly every swim lesson ‘has the competition been drawn’?” she said. “And then they said, ‘yes, it’s been drawn, and you might have been the winner'!"

Isabella has been in GOswim at Lawnton Aquatic Centre - which was part of the GOswim Little Champions campaign - since she was eight and is now in the Academy Squad.

Mum Brooke described the competition as “such an amazing initiative”.

“To meet an Olympian at their age and talk to their idols, it’s something to aim for and keep pushing further in their swimming career,” she said.

Cheryl McLennan, manager of Albany Creek Leisure Centre added: “Isabella is aspiring to go to the Olympics and this is an amazing opportunity for her and her squad.

“With drowning statistics on the increase, this comes at a perfect time to highlight the importance of swimming and water safety to the community.”