Olympic champion Duncan Goodhew is set to pass on some of his water skills to youngsters.

The swimming hero will be at Medway Park in Gillingham on Thursday, September 18, to launch the second Big Splash.

Children will be taking to the pool for swimming lessons with Goodhew on the day that registration opens for the two-day event.

It will take place at all of the Towns’ swimming pools over the weekend of January 17 and 18 2015.

It’s a free family weekend of fun in the water with lots of activities to get involved in. They will include free family pool parties, water-based activity sessions and the Big Swim Challenge.

The challenge, sponsored by Southern Water, encourages the people to come together and see how far Medway can swim collectively in one day.

Participants can choose to swim a range of distances from one length to one mile – 16 lengths, 32 lengths, 48 lengths or 64 lengths.

It is free to enter and every participant will receive a free Big Splash T-shirt, medal and certificate.

Event sponsors Southern Water said: “We are proud to support the Medway Big Splash 2015 and with the support of our Learn to Swim ambassador, Olympic gold medallist Duncan Goodhew. We continue to work to ensure the safety of children in and around water.”

The Big Splash was held for the first time in January this year, when around 2,000 took part.

• For more information or to register visit www.medway.gov.uk/bigsplash