September 2018 Newsletter
Winter Wrap up
Pool Program
The consistent warm water over winter from the new heaters saw an increase in the number of swimmers from 2017. It was especially great to see the increase in the number of learn to swim pupils over the cooler months. The swim school now boasts participants attending coming from ten different schools and five surf clubs.
This winter the squad focused on light endurance, technique and some speed work. This not only assisted efficiency in the water but also helped with overall aerobic fitness for other sports. Many of the kids have built great physiques as a result.
In the learn to swim program, although I teach all four strokes, towards the end of winter we concentrated heavily on freestyle development. Improvement in this area will allow participation in other summer water sports such as nippers. We are about to start our third summer at the facility and its great to see a broad range of community engagement.
Run Program
The run program was offered for ALL our pupils over the winter months. It was designed to provide opportunity for the kids to build strength in alternative areas of their body, increase motivation and help with land-based sports. The kids just loved it. We did four formats that changed weekly. Pupils engaged in beeps tests, sprints, distance training and fun relays. The outcomes were just fantastic.
Most schools had athletics carnivals late winter and our kids just dominated smashing personal goals and gaining a tremendous amount of confidence from their self-improvement. We are in our last week of the run program and based on the positive feedback I will offer it again next winter starting in April 2019.
Pic: Lucca Pither
Surf Sports
Most of you know I coach the Junior Surf Sports Team (competition squad) for Mermaid Surf Club. This is the only club on the coast that has a twelve- month program of its type. It is encouraged as a “lifestyle” program for families who want their kids to grow up amongst the beach culture. A number of kids from the swim school have enrolled and are experiencing the benefits.
The Mermaid Surf Club program also provides pathways in sports excellence and we have some of QLD’s best juniors as members. Mermaid was the biggest improver in the region last season, earning a number of medals at the youth surf lifesaving state titles. Further we had Alyssa Bailey win the regions top honour as the 11-14-age competitor of the year.
The Junior Coolangatta Gold Ironman Challenge is held in early October and a number of the swim school pupils are training hard for this and will be participating. I look forward to sharing their great results. Good Luck Guys!
Pic: Mermaid Surf Sports Squad 2017-18 Summer
Here Comes Summer
The change to Summer Program starts this Monday September 2nd 2018.
Swim lessons are now on every day (Mon-Fri).
Weekend lessons will start in October.
Learn to swim lesson changes will be confirmed this week.
A combination of our summer pupils and new arrivals has resulted in much of the swim school filling up already. If you have friends/family wanting to join the program it’s probably best to advise them to enrol now or risk missing out. Current pupils who wish to fast-track improvement are encouraged to attend an extra day each week.
I am doing best to spread the levels out across the week and at same time allow for families to attend consecutive lessons with multiple children on same day.
Please note the following lesson times:
Learn to swim: 3:10pm- 4:40pm
Intermediate Squad: 4:30pm-5:30pm
Top Squad: 4:30pm-6:10pm
School Swim carnivals
School swimming carnivals are coming. If you want your child to feature at the carnivals then we need to see them at swimming. Many parents come into the centre and ask me to perform miracles just days before school carnivals. Whilst I do teach race dives and tumble turns as part of our program I am unable to change lesson plans at the last minute. Please be aware that in order to race well, pupils need to be consistent with attendance, so we can work on their race techniques and skills in advance.
My New Surf Safety Program
I know the primary reason parents send their children to nippers is to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to be surf safe. Unfortunately, most nipper programs are delivered by unqualified volunteers/parents and surf coaches that lack child-centred practice. These volunteers do their best with the limited knowledge they have but often fall short of meeting expectations in terms of surf safety. It is a common theme for families to express that their children were placed in terrifying circumstances at Nippers, and as a result refuse to attend. This is a real shame. For that reason I have embarked on a crusade to change the way Nippers is delivered and to ensure a more structured, child focused and holistic program.
In addition to coaching the Mermaid Surf Clubs's Junior Surf Sports team I recently joined forces with Trevor Hendy/Surfers Paradise Surf Club to deliver Australia’s leading Surf Safety Program. This is part of a larger vision to create Australia’s leading club operational template, which will roll out across all clubs, resulting in improved holistic outcomes for members and the community.
At Surfers Paradise Sunday Nippers my program will operate similar to the swim school structure. I will be implementing a level-based program for the entire junior club. Participants will be grouped based on their ability, instead of age and will work through a specially designed curriculum to fast-track improvement “at the child’s pace”. At the completion each member will possess the necessary knowledge and skills to safely and confidently engage in recreational and competitive surf sports.
Details:
Format- Group lessons
· Age- 6-14yrs
· Free for all financial club members
· Sunday 8:30am-10:30am.
· Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaving Club (beach)
Parking is Free for members (under the surf club via the Paradise Centre Car Park entrance)
For more details- Contact Surfers Paradise Surf Lifesaving Club -Nippers
Swim lessons at DG Swim are designed to work in conjunction and support nippers surf programs at all clubs.
Free Surf Safety Holiday Intensive- Announcement
Due to cooler beach temperatures at this time, I have decided to hold the next surf safety course in the first week of the December school holidays. This is a great opportunity for children to fast track their improvement.
This program is open to all swim school pupils, though there are limited positions available.
I will send out a link next week for pupils to be able to submit expressions of interest.
Note all participants must pass a swim pool proficiency test to be able to participate.
Facilities
If you see kids alone in the toilets for lengthy periods of time or if a mess has been left please advise me asap.
Please encourage your children to behave in toilets and to pick up after themselves.
Pupils/parents are not permitted in the pumproom or storeroom. It’s a liability issue, please wait at the door or yell out if looking for me.
Swim Gear
Goggles- everyone in swim lessons needs goggles. Don’t just buy any goggles, as many brands don’t fit children’s faces. Goggle problems during class result in child fiddling with the goggles instead of swimming and me fixing the goggles instead of coaching. Have a chat to me before buying and I will advise what is suitable and where to get it. In the near future I’ll put something on the website to assist.
Caps- every child is supposed to have a swim cap on in the class (school rules). In summer the lycra caps are better as they are not hot and fit well. Most caps are fine, but I recommend the lycra caps for lessons above the silicone material.
Flippers- if your child is in squad then they need their own fins. If your child does surf with me then they will also use these for learning to body surf. Amart Sports is the where most the parents buy them. They cost between $30-$40 depending on the deals at the time. Note, feet shrink in the water, buy them to fit now, don’t buy them big or they fall off the foot when swimming and pushing off the wall. Usually you only get 6 months before having to buy the next size up. I have some spares at the pool for new clients but please be aware that there is not enough to go round.
Togs- Kids can wear whatever they feel comfortable in provided its not holding then back. Don’t send kids in wet shirts or rash vests as they slow the child down and make it hard. Also if boys are going to wear shorts then stay away from shorts with pockets.
Communication with the coach
Lastly, we are getting to the busy time of the year. If I could please ask parents to discuss issues with me over the phone, during day or in person before 3pm or after 6:10pm (out of class time).
Whilst I appreciate that parents wish to ask questions or clarify issues at lessons, please note that lengthy discussions just before or during classes can affect my ability to start lessons on time or deliver lessons effectively. My advice is, if you wish have to chat to me about your child’s development etc please call me during the day. M-0431216932
Lesson changes- Please do not expect me to remember all details of conversations had at lesson changeover as often I forget. Please text or email me any information related to lesson changes.
Dogs
The school has advised on numerous occasions that dogs are not permitted on school grounds. Every time a dog is seen at the pool the headmaster has advised that I am in breach of the lease. Please be aware that having a dog in the centre is putting our business at risk.
Also note at beach session’s lifeguards have requested that I advise parents not to bring dogs down to the beach inside the dog-free zones.
Thank you for assistance in this area.
Children behaviours
Some pupils waiting for swim classes have been misbehaving and the headmaster has asked for me to sort it out. The kids are getting bored and parents need to be aware they need things to do while waiting. They can’t be climbing the structures and fences etc.
Please also advise your child not to exit the facility (past the gate) until you arrive to pick them up.
Race Night
The kids are now showing some interest in pool racing. We are looking at forming a recognised swim club at the pool, with a view of commencing Friday race nights this summer (5:30pm-6:30pm). This will be open to the community not just the swim school members. The format will be short one or two lap sprint races with times recorded. The aim is to provide motivation for training and encourage the community to get involved. Race night can also act as a stepping-stone towards interclub competition at a later point.
Make up Lessons and Holidays
There are a number of pupils requesting make up lessons.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING as per our enrolment conditions:
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This swim school operates similar to a child-care centre. Your fees pay for your spot in the class on the allocated day.
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If you don’t attend there are no make-ups, refunds or credits for lessons missed.
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If you go on holidays we do not “hold” your spot unless payment continues.
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If you temporarily resign (turn of debit) to go on holidays we are obligated to offer that spot to the next pupil on the waiting list. Note there is already a waiting list for pupils wanting particular days/times.
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There is no “casual” rate or casual attendance at the swim school.
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Please advise your spouse or child’s other carer of the conditions, thank you.
Please note, we operate on all public holidays except Easter and Xmas
Xmas Holidays Swim Intensive
I anticipate running the Intensive again this year. Just waiting on confirmation from the school to be able to use facility. I will send out a message advising times next week. Intensive will be open to all swim school members, school students and public, conditions apply.