Category: Uncategorized

Swimming lessons suspended until further notice

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Swimcentral has taken the difficult decision to suspend our lessons with immediate effect for both our RUH and Prior Park College swimming lessons.

We have spoken with both venues today and decided this is the best course of action to avoid all non-essential contact and travel.

Swimcentral also delivers swimming lessons to Roundhill Primary School as part of their curriculum and currently those internal lessons are continuing as normal.

We hope to be back in the water as soon as possible so that we can finish the last three weeks of this term, give out certificates and celebrate the kids’ (and adults!) achievements.

Summer term will follow on, after the three remaining weeks of spring term are complete. We will email you with a date for your priority booking once the pools have reopened.

We will stay in touch and communicate news about our lessons as soon as we have it. We are waiting for the day when we can finish off this term and see you all again at the pool, until then, stay safe.

Regards,

Swimcentral team

Swim England’s latest position regarding Novel coronavirus (COVID-19)

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We have been receiving a number of emails regarding swimming lessons and we understand the concerns of our parents and swimmers. Swimcentral is following the advice of Swim England, the Government and are we speak regularly with our schools and Bath NHS Trust.

The welfare of our learners is of paramount importance.

The current advice from Swim England is that there is still no requirement to cancel lessons, although we appreciate that some organisations in the UK have taken the decision to so.

Hygiene advice for swimmers and visitors

While our classes remain open, we encourage everyone to enjoy the lessons and be mindful of the advice from the Government and Public Health England.

The guidance we have received is that water and the chlorine within swimming pools will help to kill the virus. It’s important, however, to ensure that everyone visiting pools follows the latest hygiene advice to help reduce the risk of infection.

Swimmers should shower before and after entering the water, while everyone, visitors and swimmers should regularly wash their hands for 20 seconds using soap and water or a sanitiser gel.

Most importantly, if you feel unwell, please do not attend lessons and seek appropriate medical advice.

If circumstances change

We continue to evaluate what is an ongoing situation and regularly review the guidance from Swim England and the Government.  If circumstances change and we are advised to close, we will credit all swimmer accounts with the remaining lessons. Credits will be carried over once swimming lessons resume.

We are speaking to our schools and the NHS Trust to see if we can run additional, catch-up lessons over the summer holidays. We will keep you informed of any news.

Links to most up-to-date guidance from Public Health England

Below, you’ll find relevant links to the most up-to-date guidance from the Government and Public Health England regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

  • Find out the number of cases and risk level in the UK, what to do if you have symptoms, and what the government is doing about the virus. Please read the latest here. This is updated regularly.
  • We’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to take hygiene precautions to help reduce the spread of infection. This also applies to session spectators (parents/guardians). For the latest infection control advice, please click here.
  • As a Swim England Member, Swimcentral Ltd will adhere to the latest Government and NHS guidance. This can be found on the Public Health England website.

Many thanks for your cooperation

Swimming basics: Star float on the front | Swimcentral

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Swimming basics: Star float on the front

Stage 1

Learning to float face-down—the star float on the front—is an important foundational skill in swimming. That’s because it helps the swimmer prepare the correct body position for the more advanced strokes they’ll be learning in the later stages!

To give it a go, a swimmer should already be able to:

  • Place their whole face in the water
  • Extend arms and legs away from their bodies
  • Hold a position for a few seconds

Holding arms and legs out wide helps keep balance and buoyancy so the swimmer stays on the top of the water!

Put your face into the water between your arms and let legs float up behind you

Our Guide to Star Float on the Front

  • Feet on the floor, facing the wall
  • Stretch arms out wide and straight, and hold onto the wall for support
  • Put your face into the water between your arms and let legs float up behind you
  • Let go of the wall and float for a few seconds, arms and legs out wide. Relaxing!
  • Alternatively, use a noodle float to get into position instead of the wall

How to stop

  •  Push down on the water with your hands and lift your head

….and at the same time…

  • Bring your knees up to your chest
  • Feet flat on the floor
  • Pat yourself on the back, well done!

Practicing with children?

  • Get in position side by side at the wall to show them how to do it
  • Make it fun: Pretend to be parachutists who have just jumped out of an airplane!
  • Kids might want help coming out of the float position the first few times. Encourage them to tuck their knees to the body while also providing support.

Mastered the Star Float on the Front? Why not try the Push and Glide?

Finding this skill tricky? Have a go at Blowing Bubbles and Kicking Legs

 

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance from Swim England

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Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance

We are following the advice of Swim England who have provided the details and links below. The welfare of our learners is of paramount importance.

This communication is designed to inform, rather than alarm, and contains relevant links to the most up-to-date guidance from the Government and Public Health England regarding novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

  • The Government has issued advice around travel to and from certain areas as the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation develops. Please read the latest advice here. This is updated regularly.
  • We’d like to take this opportunity to remind everyone to take hygiene precautions to help reduce the spread of infection. This also applies to session spectators (parents/guardians). For the latest infection control advice, please click here.
  • As a Swim England Member, Swimcentral Ltd will adhere to the latest Government and NHS guidance. This can be found on the Public Health England website. If you feel unwell, please call NHS 111 for advice.
  • Swimcentral will be continuing to plan for our lessons as normal but we will be following Swim England and Government guidance and assessing risk as appropriate.

Many thanks for your cooperation

Swimmer of the week!

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Swimmer of the week!

This week goes to Tess Chate.

Tess has managed to kick and breathe at the same time while doing front crawl!.

Big congratulations Tess!

Special mentions go to…

  • Isaac Asplin – Gemma says: ‘He always gives 110% effort and has improved his breaststroke technique’
  • Nora Baker for trying a tuck jump today for the first time
  • Harriet Morton – for making a safe entry into the water all by herself

Water confidence in 3 simple steps

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Putting your face in the water is the first step to a perfect swim position.

Try these 3 simple steps to getting comfortable with water… You Can Do This!

Remove the ‘fear factor’

  • Dislike getting water up your nose?
  • Do you hate it when water fills, or half-fills your ear canal?
  • Do you feel claustrophobic when your head is underwater?

Think it through and narrow it down – what exactly is it that’s causing you distress?

There will be a point for you where it switches from ‘I’m Okay‘ to ‘I’m really NOT Okay – get me outta here!’

Find that point for you. When you find it, work away at it. Imagine it’s like a knot in your shoulders. You must work at it, even massage it a little bit before it eases and then eventually disappears.

If we’ve described how you feel then read on because these tips are for you…

Hold on… crouch down… get wet… and FOCUS

Don’t try to swim before you can float. Floating is key and Getting Your Face Wet is the place to start.

How to get confident with water
Hold on, plant your feet. Breathe in – face in, completely – blow out through your nose.
  1. Hold onto the side and plant your feet
  2. Take a breath in
  3. Focus on the area that dislikes the water THE MOST
  4. Get that bit wet: nose, ears, forehead, eyes, chin, eyebrows
  5. Submerge your head completely
  6. Breathe out, S.l.o.w.l.y through your nose.
  7. Then back up

Focus, Soak and REPEAT

The third step? Repeat.

  1. Keep your feet planted and hold on.
  2. Don’t be tempted to do any floating – not until you’ve reduced panic to almost ZERO
  3. We always say – keep doing it until you’re bored… oh so bored. That tells you that you are no longer anxious. Tells you that the water near your ears (eyes, nose etc.) is no longer uncomfortable for you and we have cracked it!

Congratulations and Welcome to the Water

 

Swimming teacher position available

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Are you lively and enthusiastic about swimming?

We are looking for creative swimming teachers who can inspire children and build up their swim skills.

ASA Level 2 Swimming Teacher (or STA equivalent)
£15.00 an hour


Now Recruiting…
ASA Level 2 Swimming Teacher
PART TIME: Mon-Fri 1-3pm during term time only.
Deadline for applications: 30th July 2016
Additional hours are available. Extra pay for blog articles on swimming-related topics.

The Role:

We are super proud of our reputation and we know it’s all thanks to the dedication of our team. We’re looking for a knowledgeable teacher with an appetite for fun to come and join us! We believe children learn best when they are engaged and enjoying themselves. If you enjoy games, creating under-water adventures and love to swim, then we’d be delighted to hear from you.

We will support you with training and professional development opportunities. There’s also a chance to earn more with blog writing and extra teaching hours where available.

The job:

We are looking for a committed, confident and passionate teacher with a driving license and access to a car.

As the lead teacher and the first person parents and children meet, you are very approachable, take charge when necessary and deal with any enquiries.

As a Level 2 Swimming Teacher we expect you to teach structured lessons, mostly to school-age children but also to pre-schoolers and adults too. You’ll only have 8 swimmers or less in your group so you can really dedicate your time to their needs. With your games and focused practices, the swimmers will gain buckets of confidence and develop great strokes.

You will track your pupils’ progress and give face-to-face feedback to parents. At the end of term, you’ll provide customers with an end-of-term report. Your enthusiasm for swimming will create such a buzz that parents will be pleased to recommend your lessons to their friends.

Skills and qualifications:

  • Level 2 ASA Swimming Instructor Qualification (or STA equivalent)
  • Experience teaching a variety of abilities and ages in and out of the water
  • You will be computer literate, familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel and social media
  • Demonstrate you can make decisions, plan effectively and be great with customers
  • Good writing and communication skills
  • Use your own initiative, be flexible and bring forward your ideas
  • Create imaginative swimming lessons and overall… have fun!

Extra stuff:

  • Additional swimming qualifications
  • Have first aid or lifeguard training

Questions?

Contact Kelly Deakin on 07790 210401 or email [email protected].

Next steps?

Apply for the post before 30th July with your CV and a covering letter to [email protected]. Tell us why you are the best person to do this job and what makes you interested in the position.

We will review your application and if successful, one of our team may be in contact to schedule an interview. We look forward to hearing from you!