The Southern Swimming Club celebrates its 40th birthday next week and has invited all members past and present to its birthday bash in Castletown.

Given the thousands of young people the club has instructed in the art of the perfect crawl and backstroke, this could be a very big birthday bash.

The club was formed when the swimming pool was built and now has 140 members who are as young as six years old.

’It was decided there ought to be a club,’ said club chairman Ian Harrop, who joined 35 years ago, when his daughter began learning to swim with the club.

’There were clubs elsewhere (in the island) and living in an island it’s important people learn to swim.’

Since then, Ian and others such as Jackie Kelly, a founding member, have given thousands of hours to the club.

Ian alone gives eight hours of instruction a week.

He put the club’s success ’down to the dedication of people’.

When asked what inspired him to continue his involvement, he said: ’You see them progress.

’It’s wonderful the kids you see in the Commonwealth Games - there have been five from the club - and lots in the Island Games.

’You see the kids develop and do well.’

The anniversary celebration takes place on Tuesday, January 8, from 5.30pm to 9pm at the pool on Arbory Road.

There will be fun sessions, prizes, games, a raffle and buffet.