Learn to Swim

Office Hours during the holidays will be 9am - 3pm.

APRIL SCHOOL HOLIDAY BLOCK COURSES:

We are running courses in April for some swimming levels. These can be of benefit if your child has plateaued at a certain level and you want to help them to gain the required skills to move up to the next level.

MINIDIPPERS COURSE:

Introduce your child to the fantastic underwater world of snorkelling. This course teaches your child how to snorkel and the basic skills to snorkel confidently and safety. For more information on courses running in April please contact someone in the office.

TERM DATES AND INFORMATION:

School Holiday Level and Stroke Development courses:
AT GALLAGHER AQUATIC CENTRE & WATERWORLD

Waterworld – Monday 22nd April - Saturday 27th April 2013. (note : 5day course)
Gallagher – Monday 29th April - Saturday 4th May 2013. (note : 6day course).

TERM 2 2013 DATES:

The dates for Term 2 2013 will be Monday 6th May– Friday 12th July with the following things to note:

Term 2 classes will run for 10 weeks.
We will run lessons on Monday 3rd June - Queens Birthday.
Exsisting Clients (children enrolled term 1 2013) bookings can be taken from Monday 15th April.

New enrolements, bookings can be taken from Monday 22nd April 2013.

EMAIL UPDATE:

We are using email more and more as a preferred form of keeping everyone informed of important information and dates.
Please see someone in the office if you are not already receiving our newsletter by email so that we can add you to our email list.

Do you have a child with needs that would benefit from using the Hydrotherapy pool ???

Our Hydrotherapy pool caters for people with disabilities providing therapy and rehabilitation for many users. Our purpose built pool at 35 degrees has specialised facilities to cater for extra needs.
We have teachers that have qualifications suitable to teach in this pool and we are currently catering for children with Cerebral Palsy, Autism, and various other physical and learning needs. We are keen to enable every child to reach their potential in swimming, accessing funding from various organisations where possible.
Please come and see someone in the LTS office to find out how we can help you..........

Come and check out our new playground at Waterworld.......A fantastic place to relax after your children’s swim lessons.......

“How long does my child stay in one level?”

Is a common question we hear, and one that is very difficult to answer. Each level has a specific set of skills/criteria that the children need to meet before moving to the next level. Due to different ages and learning rates of children there is no set time limit for children in the classes.

The learning of a physical skill firstly requires the relevant movements to be assembled. For example learning to roll and breathe first requires the roll of the head to be learnt, then the correct timing to take a breath and blow bubbles, then finally coordinating this with the arm strokes. After initial movements and co-ordination, feedback must be provided to shape and perfect the skill. Our teachers are all trained to give correct feedback, hence why the children come to lessons. Finally practicing the skill must be done regularly and correctly, which highlights the importance of regular attendance.
There are of course other factors which play an important part in the learning process. There include age, interpretation of instruction, motor skill ability, and natural ability ! However by far the most important way to improve a skill is to practice, the more practice the great the improvement. It is very important to practice correct technique, before increasing the distance that children swim.

We have a promise to you

“if your child has spent 4 or more continuous terms in the same level, then we will look at extra tuition to cater to your child’s needs and to assist them to move to the next level” !
If you are concerned at the length of time your child has spent in a level, please do not hesitate to see Chrissy, Sally or Kathie.

ARE YOU READY FOR SUMMER ?

As we approach the holiday season we need to be aware that while your child has undoubtedly gained some great swimming skills throughout the term by no means does it make your child DROWN PROOF !!!
After swimming in lessons your child will have gained a sense of confidence, even “over confidence” but may be unaware of the dangers that lurk in our waterways (beaches, lakes and rivers)
Please, ensure you follow a few simple guidelines when recreating in on and around water this summer to ensure your child’s safety is maintained.
• Never let your children swim unsupervised.
• Currents at beaches can sweep children off their feet in a blink of an eye, so make sure your children are in arms reach at all times
• Always swim between the flags
• Never let children swim unsupervised in water deeper that themselves

PARENTS & INSTRUCTORS CORNER:

The importance of Water Safety Lessons.......

We often get feedback such as “the children have done this before, why are they doing it again?” Please remember that like learning to swim, it is important that water safety skills are practiced and reinforced if they are to one day use the skills to save their lives. The activities are carefully planned to become more challenging as they move through the levels. The children are learning how to get out of difficult situations, personal and group survival techniques and most importantly they are being taught in a controlled and safe environment which makes it a perfect time for them to realize their personal limitations. Please do not under value the importance of this lesson (PLEASE NOTE that children must attend and pass the Water Safety lesson to move to the next level).

                SWIM SCHOOL GIFT VOUCHERS:

$20....$50....$100..........

What a wonderful gift from the grandparents, or as a thank-you to someone who might otherwise not have the opportunity to learn to swim.......

To purchase your Learn to Swim Gift Voucher simply give us a call in the office. Gift vouchers are available from our office right now.

Wishing you a safe and enjoyable Summer
Chrissy and the Learn to Swim Team........