Summer is over..  

Welcome back, hope you had a lovely summer.

The busiest summer ever at Shirley Pool was also the most successful. Children came from across the city as beginners, having failed to learn to swim with their school swimming lessons. Every child on the five day government sponsored scheme achieved the minimum standard of Key Stage 2 and as high as 800m.

Sponsored by the Southampton Schools Sport partnership in a bid to halt the decline in childrens health, it is hoped that the great success of the pilot “Top Up” scheme will be extended across the country.. Pictures of the children that have joined the One mile club are now posted on the website, along with group pictures from the Crash Courses. Well done to all the teachers who worked hard to make this summer a success.

Thanks also go to Wendy Davis, who is leaving to spend more time with her family, as they say. Thank you for giving up your Saturday mornings for the last two years Kym Smith will take over Wendy's classes. Kym originally qualified at Shirley Pool and has been working in Camp America and at Hamble pool as a teacher. We all understand the importance of consistency in teaching staff, high standards and avoiding unnecessary changes. Please be patient when your regular teacher is away or a new teacher is introduced.

Congratulations to: Joe Tellett. Oliver Summers and Alexander Diamond, who learnt to swim at Shirley and made the finals at this years National Swimming Championship;Harriet Pierce who has just completed a Cross Channel Swim as part of a team from Oxford University and to Harriet Killen 200 lengths, just under 4 hours, 5,000metres. Not bad for a six year old! Well done all of you.

Major changes to the plant room and a new liner for the main pool will be taking place at Xmas. Ultra Violet systems in the small pool have proved to be a great success, so a £20,000 installation of UV and new filters will give us a sparkling pool in January. We are expecting to close the main pool for two weeks before Christmas and will let you know exact dates as soon as possible

Baby & Toddler

Abbie is starting a new under 5 class on Saturday afternoons at 2.30 and, for the first time, a Parent & Baby Class at 3.00pm .

Bookings are mow being taken for October Crash Courses. The kids love these weeks, one hour of lesson followed by an hour of play and they always come away with heaps of badges…. and you can leave the children for the two hours. Because they swim every day for an hour, the children remember and build their skills and stamina quickly.

New Dolphins Session

Saturday 11.00-11.30 Racing starts, 11.30-12.30 Stroke technique session with Brett. All Dolphins must learn to perform a racing dive. Only twenty positive replies, (from a possible fifty) have been received from the letters home regarding the ASA registration. Is this a no or just apathy?

Pool Refurbishment

A shortlist of Architects is underway and the start is in sight. Current plans will give us a new building, with larger changing and reception areas, a health Club and café. Building is expected to start in 2008.

On Tour .. David and a team of older swimmers from Shirley Pool (Southampton Seadogs) took part in Bournemouth pier to Pier, Calshot Open, Penrith to Penzance , Padstow to Rock and the River Itchen Biathlon. Gary Robb, a teacher at the pool was third at Calshot and won the Penzance swim; David was sixth overall at Calshot and was first veteran home in the Solent Open Water Championships. A squad of youngsters from Shirley Pool will be competing in a modern Pentathlon Event for the first time on October 7 th . This race involves a swim and a run.

Free Swimming

If you are paying by direct debit for the baby lessons, you may swim together free at small pool public swimming times. Adults and children having lessons and paying by direct debit also swim free. There is no charge for children under five. 10.00am-12.00am on Sunday morning is reserved for family swimming. Practice makes perfect…..

Abbies's Aquafit classes are on a Tuesday 8.00-9.00pm and Thursdays from 7.00pm – 8.00pm . Classes cost £3.75, just turn up.

Parking… It is sometimes necessary to park in the road at busy times, please be considerate to our neighbours. It is acceptable to use the Health Centre car park after 5.00pm

Swipe Cards… Our computer holds up to date personal records, medical history and emergency contacts on all swimmers . Every child should have a personalised membership card which they swipe on entry to the pool at the desk. If you don't have a card, it probably means that we don't have any contact information. Please ask at reception.

Distance badges… Two lanes are reserved on the last Saturday of the month for children to attempt distance awards. Check with their teacher first and then reserve a space at reception. There is no extra charge. ( 11.30am-12.30am )

Thank you for your continued support, your recommendations to friends and family are very important for us.