New Pool Building

Planning permission has now been applied for and work should start before Christmas. The major, six week, shutdown will take place in July 2009. Details of the plan are on the notice board and the website.

Swimathon 2008

On the weekend of September 13 th Shirley Pool will hold an event to raise money for our nominated Cancer charity and our own “Raise the Roof” appeal. The challenge is to complete 5,000m, (200 lengths, 3 miles) anyway you can: on your own or as a team, in one go or over a period of time. The main aim is to set a personal challenge and raise as much sponsorship as possible. There are awards for the fastest team, individual and best sponsorship effort. This is your chance to have your name in lights. Anyone raising over £100 will have their name, or that of a loved one, engraved on a brick in the new building. Forms are at reception.

Club Championships

Fantastic night! Thanks to everyone that helped make it a memorable event. Presentations by Olympic swimmers and past record holders took place on a lovely day at the Foyes Festival. There are lots of medals, all engraved with names, still waiting for collection behind reception. £150 was raised for our Cancer charity with the sale of sunflowers. Well done kids!

Badges

The next distance badge testing is at 11.30am on Saturday June 28 th and then July 26th. These are now limited in numbers, booking is essential. 2000m badge is the longest that may be attempted.

At 2.30pm on the same dates is a members only inflatable session when child members of the lesson program can swim for £3.00 or use their birthday vouchers .(Every child in lessons receives a card and voucher on their birthday. Let us know if we don't send one.)

Swim Team on Tour and other events

Off to the Isle of Wight to defend the trophy we won last year. Under 12 are on May 31 st , teenagers July 12 th . Our first Water Polo match against CSSC takes place soon. Look out for team sheets. A new lifesaving and Water Polo class for teenagers will start in September on Friday nights, 8.00-9.30pm

Teacher's news

A presentation was made this month to Jane to recognize her remarkable twenty years of swimming teaching. Originally engaged as a part time receptionist, Jane discovered a real talent for relating to children, pre-school in particular, and was quickly established as a qualified swimming teacher. Thousands of toddlers later, Jane is off cycling for two weeks on the new bike presented to mark her twenty years. Well done Jane!

Chris is planning to take on the Swimathon 2008 on his own – using only butterfly! David is doing the swim on his own, as well as swimming from Ryde on the Isle Of Wight to Stokes Bay , Gosport on July 6 th and running the New York Marathon in November. Watch out, both are looking for sponsors.

Phil is to give up his full time employment to take on more regular teaching from September.

We recently held a meeting for the swimming teachers to allow them to voice any opinions on how we can improve our service. Several positive ideas were adopted, including a reduction in the number of children in lessons.

Most parents realize the importance of regular attendance with the same teacher. Teachers have asked that parents make a real effort to get the children to poolside in good time. The lessons are only thirty minutes and the first few minutes warm up are an integral part of the teaching plans. Just as frustrating for the teachers can be children being sent through 15 minutes early ; children get bored and cold, please send them through two minutes before the start.

Pool hygiene

Recently there have been several incidents of children being sick during a lesson and it is clear that they have been fed without enough time for digestion. This is distressing for everyone in the pool and disruptive. No food or drink should be consumed a minimum of one hour before swimming. Any crisps, chocolate, fizzy drinks are out of bounds before swimming. If in doubt, go without!

If your child has had diarrhoeal illness recently they should not swim - we have a flexible system that allows you to rearrange lessons, so if in doubt, please postpone the lesson.

Feeding toddlers in the changing room is a good way to keep them content while you change, this we understand. It is, however, unpleasant to step on a soggy raisin or soppy sandwich. If you have to feed in the changing area please check the floor afterwards.

Direct Debits

This system is very popular and is now the only way to pay. The system relies on you telling us when you cannot attend. If you cannot give us notice, it is not the end of the world, it just means you are not allowed to arrange a “make up” lesson. Although you are allowed to rearrange lessons to suit, you may only do this once. If you take up a “ make up” spot and then miss the lesson, please don't ask to change it again.

Thank you also for your kind recommendations to friends and family; it is an invaluable source of promotion for the pool.