Dear parents,
Classes are now in great demand at Howell’s following the final closure of Sophia gardens swimming pool, and the temporary closure of Ely leisure and Fitzallan swimming pools. Therfore it would be wise to pay for your childs course next week to ensure their places are booked for the next 10 week course which starts on May 26th 2008.
Charges remain the same at £35 .00 per child for 3/4 hour lessons and awards at £2.00 per certificate and badge. Please let your coach know at the end of the course if you wish to have an award. We keep records of all skills achieved and you can also purchase record cards for your own use from the ASA.
Im pleased to see that both parents and children enjoy our sessions and we look forward to seeing you all again on the next course.
Kind Regards
Jean
Chief cook and bottle washer! 
Dear parents.
I am sorry to say that the estimated date for the pool opening will now be September First 2008.
This set back is due to recent unexpected structural problems discovered by the builders, and that they will need all the summer months to complete the project. The good news is that, in addition to refubishment of the changing rooms and pool surround, a brand new heating and ventilation system is being considered.
I will contact all those parents who have left their telephone numbers with me and post you on the water dragons site to confirmation the estimated opening date on the First September 2008.
I have vacancies at Howell’s school pool in Llandaff, on Saturdays: These are in the Beginner group 10.15 -11.00 and 11.00-11.45. Please telephone 02920 253784 if you wish to transfer until Fitzalan re- opens.
Have a safe and happy summer.
Kind regards
Jean
Swimmng classes are now filling up. Spring and its promise of warmer weather, prompts sensible parents to think about booking their childen on a learn to swim course in readiness for summer holidays- all of which are mainly centered around water where the fear of your child drowning is ever present!
Our courses are designed to teach survival in water- treading water, sculling and techniques in swimming stroke improvement are some: in addition, new to all classes, a short introduction to basic land- based rescues and the teaching of water safety will be in-coporated into all ability levels, including beginners. Rope throws, lifebelts and reaching aids will be introduced together with basic resuscitation.
These will be fun based and will take place on the last 8-10 minutes of the class in place of “free time” Parents will be invited to participate in these land based rescue skills - if they wish.
I am pleased to welcome Gloria Dunn as our new level 2 teacher and who has taken over Helen’s class (group 2) beginner /Improver.
It is possible that a teachers will leave and we try our hardest not to spoil the continuity of teaching by keeping the same teacher throughout the groupings; You will note that we have been very successful over the years in that aspect.
There are some spaces in the beginner group at 11.00-11.45 Please contact me at 20 253784 if you wish to book, alternatively, pop into the pool on any Saturday.
If you have any problems you wish to discuss on any aspects of our club in confidence or otherwise, please do not hesitate to see me. I need feed back as our aim is to make the lessons enjoyable interesting and educational.
It is very important that you inform us of any illness your child may suffer in order that we can respond in the most suitable way necessary should a problem occur.
All water dragon s/c staff are fully qualified in lifesaving rescue, resuscitation and first aid.
Please note that Howels school will close the pool to our club on Saturday 21 March 2008, but we will resume at the normal time slot therafter.
My thanks to all members for paying for their children’s swimming course on time, it is greatly appreciated.
Kind regards
Jean.
Refubishment of the whole swimming pool complex is under-way and we cannot wait to return to a much improved environment where the changing rooms, showers and locker rooms are being up- graded.
We have been notified that space around the swimming pool is to be greatly reduced and consequently viewing parents will be limited to a much smaller area.
I look forward to a full return to club activities towards the end of March 2008 Updates will be posted as soon as any news comes in and by which time, all our swimmers should be “champing at the bit” to return
Hope to see you all again soon
Kind regards
Jean
CLOSURE OF FITZALAN SWIMMING POOL
FROM MONDAY 11TH FEBRUARY and will re-open during APRIL 2008
Dear Members
I am sorry to notify all members that we have no choice but to cancel classes from the 8th of February.
As you are aware we have always intended keeping the swimming pool open during the building works. However, the school pool has now been served with a closure notice by the LEA as a result of possible dust polution around the poolside area.
Our 10 week swimming classes, were to be completed on the 15th of February but due to closure of the pool, our last class session will be on the 8th February 2008.
I have been notified that the pool may be closed for approximately eight weeks from that date.
I can arrange a refund on Friday 8th February for the one session which has to be cancelled on the 15th February 2008
We will keep you updated on the progress of this refubrishment on the site Please do not hesitate to telephone me if you need any further information.
During this enforced close down, I will be considering a change af day for our pool bookings as Friday evenings are a favourite night out for most people.
A questionaire will be at our last two sessions (1st and 8th Feb) and perhaps you could write down your preferences
We can then approach the bookings office and see if a change can be made should the demand be high enough.
We look forward to seeing you all for the final two weeks and hope you will come back to our courses once the pool has re- opened. Please try to keep the children swimming during our close down to maintain the progress they have already made with us.
With Kind Regards
Jean
Dear members,
I am pleased to say we have a new coach who will be joining Water dragons at Fitzalan school pool on the first of February 2008.
Gloria will be taking over Helen’s Improver Group and I am sure she will be as well liked as Helen: She is A level 2 asa coach and is also qualified to teach in schools, disabled and special needs children.
Our swimming groups now are:
Beginners:
Level: 0- 10 m ability
Coach: Jean Davies ASA Grade 2, RLSS national rescue trainer assessor.
Improvers:
Level: 10m + ability
Coach : Gloria Dunn ASA Grade 2
Advanced:
Level: 25m+ ability
Coach : Brian Jones (ASA Grade2, National pool lifeguard qualified)
Classes are building quietly and there are still places in the 5.30 - 6.15 and the 6.15-7.00pm classes.
With spring on its way classes will start filling up, so make sure you reserve your childs place on the new course of 10 weeks on the 15th February 2008.
Kind regards
Jean
Happy New Year to all.
I do hope your Christmas celebrations went well!
We start back on January 12th 2008. There are four weeks remaining to complete the November 10 week swimming course, and this will take us to February 2nd 2008. There are awards to be given out on that date but only if they have been ordered. Please see Eileen or myself by the 19th January to order and pay for the certificate and badge.
News just in. Helen Our Level 2/3 coach will not be returning to teach at the club, she will be needing more time at home as she is expecting her first baby in July. We are very sorry to lose her and will miss her dedication and expertise. Helen is also sad to be leaving but I am sure you will share with me our best wishes to her and her coming happy event. Beverley, who is currently taking the beginner group, will take on Helens classes, and I for my sins, will be taking the beginner group.
The new ASA format for 2008 in teaching the skills of movement in water is now to be started in earnest by our club. This will involve the chidren in all aspects of movement in water Do not be surprised to see them practicing the skills of ball handling, for water polo practice, movement to music, water rescue, water safety practices, survival, resuscitation together with much more concentrated work on all stroke techniques. The theory behind the above practices is that it will help them understand how correct movement of hands, feet, and body position in water can hone the skills needed in all swimming strokes. In its turn this will hold the children in their groups for longer, or until the skills are well learned. In the past the tendancy has been to move them “up” too soon, and when they are moved into the more advanced classes they then find they are unable to attain the higher standard expected, often resulting in loss of confidence and self worth. This appears to be the reason why so may children with promise drop out. Variation is now the “go” word, which aims to make swimming classes more fun, and at the same time improves stamina and teaches a much higher level of understanding in all aspects of the sport. I will be bringing in the new ASA folder for anyone interested to look through on Jan 12th.
I look forward to another successful year at Howells’ pool and look forward to seeing all your little “cherubs” once again
Kind regards,
Jean