The initiative is to tackle Non Communicable Diseases (NCD's) across Oceania and beyond with a Swimming Program that uses a focus on swimming and diet to manage or avoid NCD's. The Swimming365 program uses a strong evidence based medical focus to ensure a safe approach to track progress of participants using key measures. The program has been running successfully for the past three years with outstanding results in some instances checking and reversing diabetes type 2. Swimming365 has recently completed a successful and cost effective initiative to tackle NCDs in Vanuatu in collaboration with FINA and the Vanuatu Aquatics Federation.

The Swimming365 program is conducted with FINA and the Vanuatu Aquatics Federation. The Swimming365 program provides: professional water aerobics instruction, swimming lessons and instruction on advanced swimming technique, presentations on diet and nutrition and events provided per program to encourage social interaction within the group. measurements of participant health and fitness to track progress during the program The Swimming365 Vanuatu 2017 program was run at Mele beach and involved music and dancing during the water aerobics sessions. It was run in collaboration with Wan Smolbag and the Vanuatu Aquatics Federation and was a great success with 20 participants enjoying physical and mental benefits as assessed by the Wan Smolbag clinic. The participants were all women from the Mele area which has a high incidence of Diabetes Type 2 relative to the general Vanuatu population. Wan Smolbag and the Vanuatu Aquatics Federation are also engaged to provide messaging around avoiding sugary drinks and the benefits and cost effectiveness of drinking water instead. The Swimming365 program has focused on making the exercise sessions fun with the use of popular Vanuatu music and dance. It uses a boom box for creating an enjoyable experience with a focus on inclusive social engagement.

The Swimming365 program was run entirely by local resources from the Vanuatu Aquatics Federation. The Swimming365 program provided training and instruction as part of preparation. Training videos and instruction from accredited exercise physiologists and swimming coaches are incorporated into the program to build capacity and enable local instruction and sell sufficiency. The aim is to provide a safe environment for participants to build up their strength and fitness. The intention is to provide dietary guidance using qualified subject matter experts and gain the assistance of medical resources.

The Swimming365 Program was operated and governed as follows: Program Start Date: 15/03/2017 concluded on the 31/05/2016 Location: Mele Beach Audience: 20 Mamas of Wan Smolbag Vanuatu Aquatics Federation teamed up with Swimming 365 to adapt an exercise and nutrition program to suit the Mamas of Vanuatu. With the support of the Australian High Commission, VAF was able to run a small pilot mamas aqua program alongside the learn to swim outreach program. The program involved participating in an aqua aerobics class 1 time a week. Prior to commencing the program the mamas were surveyed to determine a suitable time and day that would see the highest number of attendance as all the mamas work. 20 mamas registered for the program with all being weighed, measured and blood pressure recorded before the first session.

Thomas Picton-Warlow, Vanuatu Aquatics Federation