Hi there everybody

This year has flown and we are into the summer holidays already.

Water Dragons will close for three weeks starting  7th of August and re-open on 4th September – 2010

I would rather keep the pool session going  throughout the year but most parents take the children away on holidays during this month consequently bookings  are way down and maintaining the courses throughout August are not cost effective.

Members may have noticed that we have now brought in flippers and masks for the children to practice with during “Free time”  and it has been a favourite activity for all the children.  The little one are loosing out because we do not have flippers for the smaller sizes.  I am sorry but  funds will not reach to further purchases at the moment and,  if you are a parent of a child wearing the smaller size perhaps you would purchase a set for your child in one of the stores and bring them along to the sessions.?

Regarding the groups advanced improver and beginner–

Firstly-  we will not be taking any under 5′s year group from September–Those who are members will remain if they wish but  they will join the beginner group.

Improver’s and advanced groups all continue as normal.

New–  A recent  directive from the ASA has advised all coaches to  enforce   floating skills  as  an aid to survival during swimming lessons and that  research has shown that this skill is more important than swimming for survival,   we will be following that directive throughout our courses.

I am still concerned that parents are  talking to the coaches during the classes .  I cannot emphasize enough,  the dangers this causes to the children in the water-   The coach  is diverting his/her attention from  the children to the parent  and a near drowning incident can occur

Please do not hesitate to let me know of any problems / feedback/ ideas you may have which may help in  the continual improvement of  our club

Thank you all for your enthusistic  and continual  support.

Kind regards

Jean,  Richard , Pat ,  Gloria,   Zoe

HI

On Saturday the 30th January Howell’s  school are holding an open day.

Expect a build up of traffic at the entrance, where helpers will be  directing drivers  to the car park within the  grounds.

In past years parking has not been a problem on these occasions but    when entering the grounds of the school  let the helpers know that you are using the pool and you should  be  able to travel to your normal parking area.

We may have  parents visiting  the pool while we are there,  so please ensure that any non swimming children are sitting  with you,  and keep push- chairs and baggage  clear of the surrounding area.

Saturday the 30th I hope to bring along some  Resusci-Annies to introduce  the children to water rescue and resuscitation practice.  We will us very brief sessions over the next 10 weeks, this will be as addons to swimming classe s,  and by the end of the course,  a basic understanding will have started  to be established.    Awards for these learned skills will be presented when the children have reached the standards  set.

We have had a good response from the children who say that they are looking forward to  the new activities which they should fnd enjoyable

Kind Regards

Jean