Alarming Statistics
Beach Hazards:
Get a Grip on Rips Many beach visitors are aware that rips are dangerous but do you know how to spot one?
Remember:
Surf Life Saving NSW CEO Steven Pearce urges all beachgoers to listen to the advice of surf lifesavers, and follow the signs, “We make no apologies for continuing to push our safety messages. It’s really simple, we encourage all beachgoers to stop, think and plan. Don’t swim at unpatrolled locations, know your limitations and learn how to spot and avoid rip currents.” Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator) Students who are afraid or not comfortable submerging their faces can practice in the shower or bath.
The key is to start with a small amount of water (soap and shampoo free of course!) trickling down from the top of their heads – only some will reach their faces and is a great way to slowly introduce them to water on their faces in a familiar and fun environment. You can even encourage your children to wear their goggles in the bath and let them explore at their own pace – they will probably be having so much fun they don’t even realise they have submerged their face! Remember to remain encouraging, do not force it and always supervise them! Every child learns at their own pace. Out of the water you can also help your children develop their skills. The Supervisors are full of tips on how you can help at home – often you’ll find them giving out homework to students and their parents on a range of levels! The important point to remember here is to seek advice from our Supervisors – you may look at the class and think you know how to help but you would be surprised at how many parents have accidentally confused their child with their own (very well intended!) advice. The Supervisors will be able to explain the correct technique to practice at home without jeopardising the efforts achieved in the lesson. Come and see the Supervisors at any time (you’ll find them on pool deck every day in the red shirts) for some extra guidance. They would love to help! Myth: I should give my child a break if they seem ‘over’ swimming Fact: Children go through phases of enjoying an activity and often when they show signs of being ‘over’ it, it is not the end of the world. In fact, there may be reasons for a change in enthusiasm which have very little to do with swimming at all! Perhaps their school or preschool day is busy and they are worn out by the time they arrive at their lesson – in this case a different day may suit them better. The time may also not be suitable for them – if they are swimming late in the evening or during typical nap time, another time slot may see greater enjoyment. It may even be that it is time for a change of teacher. All of our teachers are trained using the same method and deliver the same program, regardless of the time slot you book in for. They of course all have different personalities and therefore slightly different teaching styles. Some of our teachers have a gentle approach, others use a more firm approach. Whatever the style, there will be a teacher to suit your child’s needs. Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator) Do we dunk children under the water? Read on for our position on forced submersions and our philosophy on learn to swim. We have always taught with the belief that learning the skills of swimming must occur in a safe, caring and supportive environment for all students. In accordance with this philosophy, we strongly believe that forced submersions (also known as dunking) do not have a place in our curriculum. Whilst our policy is generally considered industry best practice, some swim schools continue to teach through forced submersions resulting in students developing a long-term fear of swimming.
Two of Australia’s leading bodies on learn to swim, ASCTA and Swim Australia, have recently released a Position Statement on Submersions. We are affiliated with both ASCTA and Swim Australia and are pleased to see that their position statement reflects what we have been teaching for years. ASCTA and Swim Australia “places the willingness and acceptance of the baby or toddler at the forefront of its submersion policy.” As evident here at Col Jones Swim School Hurstville, forcing any student’s (from baby all the way through to adults) head under the water is not practiced by our teachers. In fact, “submersion practices which are carried out on a baby or toddler without their obvious willingness is likened to enforced behaviour and is not ethically acceptable.” Instead, here at Col Jones Swim School Hurstville, we work to each student’s pace. We familiarise our youngest students in our baby and toddler classes with getting their faces wet in a fun environment using toys, songs and cueing. Our older students are taught to blow bubbles correctly at their own pace alongside learning other skills such as kicking and floating. We find this gradual method to be successful for students of all ages to confidently and independently submerge their faces under water. There is a real sense of achievement when a student learns to put their face under the water on their own terms. Learning to swim is a skill for life and we are committed to developing students who feel confident, safer and supported in the water. Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator) The Defence Force If you dream of a career in the Navy you will need to demonstrate your swimming ability. But it is not just water based jobs in the Defence Force which require personnel to be competent swimmers. Prospective applicants for the Army and the Airforce also need to undertake a swim test to ensure that they are suitable for the diverse roles that are undertaken in these careers. Up in the Air Flight attendants and pilots are careers which also require a proficient level of swimming. Not only is a swim test required, but training includes simulation of emergency water landings to ensure the cabin crew can assist you to safety. Oceans and Beyond Do you love working with animals? Have you considered a career working with sea creatures? There are a multitude of careers that work with our friends from the ocean and those in our aquariums and zoos. Dolphin trainers and marine biologists are some exciting examples where budding swimmers can put their skills to use. Emergency Services Our local heroes also require swimming skills to help those in sticky situations. Police don’t just encounter criminals or road accidents; they are often called to respond to water emergencies such as on the beach, in creeks and waterways, and also in the case of flooding. Lifeguard Perhaps one of the more well known careers to rely on strong swimming skills is that of a lifeguard. Lifeguards battle some of the roughest conditions to keep us safe at the beach and pool deck lifeguards work tirelessly to keep dozens of swimmers safe at once. Lifeguards have to pass some of the most rigorous swim tests to volunteer or start their careers in the field. Tourism and Leisure For those looking for a more ‘out there’ profession, swimming skills are deeply relied upon in the tourism and leisure industry by professions including diving instructors, tour boat guides and operators, surfing instructors, and those employed as either operators or instructors of water sports. Flood Rescue Operator with the SES The SES relies upon volunteers and permanent staff who are expert swimmers to help in times of water emergencies. These heroes work in some treacherous conditions and having strong swimming skills is essential. Professional Swimmer or Surfer Continue your swimming here at Col Jones and you could be following in the footsteps of many of our swimmers who have made it through to State and National Championships! Perhaps you’ll even be in the Olympics one day! If you have dreams of becoming a pro surfer, continuing your swimming journey will help get you there too. Swim Teacher and Coach We might be a little biased but we think the best jobs in the world are as a Swim Teacher or Coach here at Col Jones! If you have a love of swimming you might find yourself seeking a career with us! Underwater Photographer Perhaps your dream is to work with National Geographic or go out on your own taking photos of the amazing creatures that roam our oceans and all there is to see under the sea? Swimming of course will take you there! WE HAVE THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS... Swimming doesn’t stop at the Gold Medal level – in fact it continues through Club Squads and Seniors where our students really develop their endurance through swimming longer laps and distances. We also have our Competitive stream for those following that path! Swimming isn’t something that is only for children – adults can start their swimming journey at any time.
Whatever your career path might be, don’t discount the importance of knowing how to swim! Where will swimming take YOU? Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator) Our popular school holiday programs are back! Our school holiday specials provide our students with the opportunity to immerse themselves into swimming and gives them that little push along they need!
Due to restrictions on class sizes spaces are very limited compared to previous holiday programs, so book in quickly to secure your position! Have you ever stopped to ponder just how many hours per year children spend learning to swim? It’s probably much less than you think! Swimming in a half-hour lesson once per week will give you 26 hours of swimming... a year. That is assuming that no holidays are taken, no lessons are missed due to illness, and that the children swim every single week including through winter. Do your children swim 26 hours a year? If they do, what a massive achievement it is that they learn the skills they do! Do they swim less than 26 hours? The accomplishments are even all the more remarkable. Josh Kaufman, a bestselling author on skill acquisition ‘The First 20 Hours: How to Learn Anything... Fast!’, delivered a TEDTalk delving in to how long it takes for somebody to learn a new skill, and be able to perform it quite well. He posed that it takes 20 hours. So how exactly can we learn and practice a skill successfully in this amount of time? Kaufman encourages us to do the following:
What does this look like in our swim school program? Let’s break it down. 1. Remove Distractions Our lessons are designed to maximise learning by providing students with as few distractions as possible. We keep our class sizes to 4-5 students in our half-hour classes to make the most of learning time. You may notice that our classes are also incredibly active. This is because we are aiming to keep our students engaged in learning, even if they are waiting for their turn. There are of course moments when this falters but this is where you can help! Reminding your kids about putting goggles back on (or even speaking to them about not taking them off in the first place!) and not encouraging them to play underwater are some of the most useful ways you can help your child remain on task. 2. Deconstruct the Skill Our students progress through a structured and graded program that is divided into more than 25 levels. By incorporating so many stages, achievement can be rewarded more often which is paramount for children’s self esteem and sense of progression. Kaufman explains that “most of the things we think of as skills are actually bundles of smaller sub-skills. Once you’ve identified a skill to focus on, the next step is to deconstruct it – to break it down into the smallest possible parts... By focusing on the critical sub-skills first, you’ll make more progress with less effort.” Each level focuses on not only learning just one new skill but learning this new skill broken down into sub-skills. On our Blue Octopus level for example, we teach students how to breathe to the side, how to complete arms over on the board and off the board. Freestyle is comprised of all of these sub-skills but is far too difficult to grasp in its entirety. 3. Self-correct Another way to enhance skill acquisition is through feedback and self-correction according to Kaufman. He states that “fast feedback naturally leads to rapid skill acquisition. If feedback arrives immediately, or with a very short delay, it’s much easier to connect that information to your actions and name the appropriate adjustments.” Our teachers are experts at correcting students whilst they are swimming through both verbal and visual feedback. This enables children to try and correct their technique immediately, resulting in correct technique developing faster. Our squad levels use this same approach with students swimming shorter distances initially. By self-correcting over a shorter distance, students are able to achieve the correct technique with less risk of tiring (when technique typically diminishes). 4. Immerse Yourself Have you ever noticed that during the summer months or a family holiday that involves being in the pool or at the beach every day sees immense progress in not only confidence but also in ability? According to Kaufman, this is because "the most well-known general method of rapid skill acquisition is immersion... If you want to learn to speak French, for example, learning through immersion would involve living in France for a few weeks or months." How are we able to help our children immerse themselves in swimming throughout the year? In summer it may seem 'easier' - taking them to the beach often, visiting friends and family with backyard pools, and enjoying family holidays where the kids are in the water every day. But it's certainly a feat that can be achieved year-round! Immersing your kids in 2 lessons a week throughout the year is a beneficial way to increase the opportunity to practice and progress skill acquisition.
Swimming so often isn't always achievable however there are times of the year when it is possible. Our School Holiday Programs run intensive classes to truly immerse our swimmers and help their skill acquisition progress more rapidly. We have 2 courses running these October school holidays for beginners right through to Senior Squads.
Find out more information on our October School Holiday Program here. Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator) 50% of drownings of children under 5 years old occurred in a backyard pool. How safe is your pool? The weather is warming up which means that pool parties, BBQ’s and outdoor playdates are just around the corner. Before it is too late we urge you to check the safety of your home swimming pool to minimise the risk of drowning.
The Royal Life Saving Society (Australia) has developed a checklist to help ensure all areas of owning a pool are made safer. They include advice on Supervision, Fencing, Gates, Pool Machinery, Emergency Preparation, Chemical Use and Storage, and Electricity. Included is the full checklist provided by Royal Life Saving Society (Australia). Pool owners should also ensure they get a professional inspection of their pool’s compliance. To download the full checklist, visit Royal Life Saving Society's website. Making your pool safer is an essential aspect of being a pool owner however, there is no substitute for active supervision. Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator) 0-12 months:
Three quarters of drowning deaths in this age group occur around the home. Bath time in particular is one of the highest dangers in this age group. A lack of constant active adult supervision is the main cause. Reduce the risk:
12-36 months: More than 50% of drowning deaths in this age group occur in home swimming pools. Often children in this age group gain access to home pools without an adult realising. Reduce the risk:
3-5 years: More than 50% of drowning deaths in this age group occur in home swimming pools, with boys twice as likely to drown than girls. Reduce the risk:
6-10 years: Almost three quarters of children who drown in this age group are boys. The highest number of drowning deaths occur at inland waterways such as rivers and lakes. In this age group, children may overestimate their own ability. Reduce the risk:
11-16 years: In this lifestage, inland waterways pose the highest risk of drowning, with half of drowning deaths occurring in these locations. More than two thirds of these drownings are males. This lifestage sees teenagers participating in risk taking behaviour, with less supervision. Reduce the risk:
Whatever the lifestage, active adult supervision is a critical component to reducing drowning risks. For more information, visit the Royal Life Saving Society Australia Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator) It is very common for students to perfect one part of the skill (the kick for example) but then as they are concentrating on learning another dimension (such as turning the head correctly to breathe), often the ‘perfected’ part of the skill suddenly looks ‘worse’. This is a very normal part of the learning process, and does not signify regression. With time and practice, these skills will solidify and all parts of the skill set will begin to work together seamlessly.
If you are concerned with how your child is progressing in our program, we invite you to speak with our Supervisors (in the red shirts) at any time. We are more than happy to let you know how your child is swimming, discuss your concerns, and explain what you should expect next. Myth: “I can’t start bringing my child to lessons yet because they are too scared” Fact: You won’t know until you have tried! We often hear of parents who have delayed starting lessons because their children are too scared, or not showing an interest. However, rarely is this fear alleviated by avoiding swimming lessons. Instead, getting children into lessons which are fun, make them feel safe, and prove to be a positive experience will begin to override these fears. One of our most received concerns is “they will scream the house down!” but we can assure you that for every time we have heard that, there are very few occasions where this has actually transpired. And for those children who are upset, it doesn’t phase us! Our Supervisors love to help students settle in to their classes, and are experts at replacing tears with smiles, as well as ensuring that the rest of the class is not disadvantaged. If you are still unsure, we recommend booking in to a casual class – just one class with no further commitments. Give it a try and you may be surprised! Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator) Our phone lines are now live! From 8am today we have been taking phone calls to book you back into our program. Our centre remains closed until Saturday 1st August, and as such we are not open for walk ins. We would like to thank everyone for their patience as the phones have been inundated. Our phone line hours from Monday 20th July are: Monday - Friday: 8am-12pm & 4pm-7pm Saturday: 9am-12pm It's not long now until our much awaited re-opening on Saturday 1st August! We are working hard to make our centre as safe and healthy as ever, and invite you to take a look at some of our most frequently asked questions, the health and safety measures we will be continuing to implement, and the current NSW guidelines we are adhering to. How can I make a booking? Bookings can only be made with payment over the phone; unfortunately at this time we cannot accept bookings or payment in person. We are currently accepting card payments and Active Kids Vouchers over the phone.
If you had already used your first Active Kids voucher before we closed - good news! The second voucher (available from July 1st) can now be applied for at Service NSW. I had an active booking when you closed, can I still have the same time? All lessons must be rebooked over the phone. Your previously booked lesson times in March do not automatically carry over when we re-open. We are running to a similar timetable we previously had but have had to reduce the number of classes we provide to meet current requirements. In the months we have been closed, we are also aware that our customers schedules have changed. To make it fair for all of our customers, all classes are currently empty and ready for you to secure a time and day that suits your current needs. Are all classes returning in August? Due to NSW Health restrictions on physical distancing in classes with adults, we will not be running our Aquatot (baby and parent) or Adult classes at this stage. We will be sure to let you know when the guidelines allow us to bring these classes back! All other classes will be resuming, with a slightly altered timetable. Is lap swimming returning in August? Yes! Lap swimming will be available weekdays between 7am - 11am. Upon entry, you will need to record your details with our staff for record keeping purposes. In line with current requirements, and to help keep you safer, we are implementing the following health and safety measures: Have you ever wondered how we keep our water so crystal clear and clean? Earlier this year we filmed a behind the scenes look at the science and machinery that is at work - we think it's magic! What exactly is allowed in NSW swimming pools under the current restrictions? We will be adhering to all these guidelines upon our re-opening, and kindly ask you to follow the advice of staff at all times to keep you safer. The covers have lifted! All that's left to do is add the all important water! It's the announcement we've been waiting to share - it's almost time to dive back in! We are so excited to announce that we are re-opening on Saturday 1st August. In the next month, we are finalising the refurbishments that have been taking place (check out the photos below), and implementing the necessary changes so that we are ready to welcome you back! Included below are all the details about bookings, lessons and what to expect upon our return. We are counting down the days and can't wait to see you back from Saturday 1st August! Booking ProtocolsTo secure your spot, a booking must be made over the phone. If you previously had an active booking when we closed, you will need to call to rebook into your preferred day and time. Our phone lines will be open from Monday 20th July. Bookings can only be made with payment over the phone; unfortunately at this time we cannot accept bookings or payment in person. Our phone line hours from Monday 20th July are: Monday - Friday: 8am-12pm & 4pm-7pm Saturday: 9am-12pm I had an active booking when you closed, can I still have the same time? All lessons must be rebooked over the phone. Lessons in August will not automatically carry over from bookings in March. We are running to a similar timetable we previously had but have had to reduce the number of classes we provide to meet current requirements. In the months we have been closed, we are also aware that our customers schedules have changed. To make it fair for all of our customers, all classes are currently empty and ready for you to secure a time and day that suits your current needs. Keeping You SafeIn line with current requirements, and to help keep you safer, we are implementing the following health and safety measures: What to ExpectWhilst we are so excited to be returning to some sort of normality when we re-open in August, you might find things a little bit different. With some restrictions still in place, such as social distancing on pool deck and a restricted number of customers, the pool won't be quite back to normal. And after such a long time of no swimming, you might find your child to be acting a little differently too. Here are just some of the scenarios we are expecting to see when we return:
We strive to provide an environment that is positive, supportive and fun for our learners and encourage you to be patient, expect the unexpected and celebrate every success with your child - big or small! New LookTake a look at our Big Pool without any water! We have been busy doing maintenance work and are finishing off with a coat of fresh paint.
We hope everyone is safe and well and coping as best they can under these difficult and troubled times. We would like to thank all our families for their patience with regards to the restarting of swimming lessons and squads.
We are excited to announce that we are working towards a mid- July re-opening. With community sport starting back again and restrictions slowly easing we are hopeful that this is the time we can re-open. We are also awaiting on clarification from the NSW Health Department regarding restrictions for the swim school industry. Once we have an exact date, it will be communicated via email as well as posted on our website (www.coljonesswimhurstville.com.au) and our facebook page (www.facebook.com/coljoneshurstville). Currently renovations are rejuvenating our 25 metre pool and teachers and coaches are bursting at the seams to teach their students again. We can’t wait to welcome everyone back. Stay safe The Col Jones Team For many of us, it feels like the world has been put on hold during COVID-19. With the extra time we are spending at home, increasing numbers of people are learning a new skill - like picking up an instrument or teaching themselves how to paint. But there is one skill that might just be the most important of all - knowing how to help in an emergency situation. Knowing first aid and CPR gives you a set of skills that is critical in many emergency situations, not just aquatic emergencies. According to the Royal Life Saving Society (Australia), in most drowning or near-drowning events, a family member is usually the first on the scene. Knowing what to do in an emergency situation and responding quickly is paramount to increasing a patient's chance of survival. Many children have their parents to thank for saving their lives, as they knew how to perform CPR. Approximately 60% of injuries requiring first aid treatment occur in the home, meaning that it is likely to be your own family who require your help in an emergency situation. Learning First Aid and CPR normally requires a face-to-face course, however due to COVID-19 many are now being taught remotely. Some companies are offering courses entirely online, some are mostly online with just the practical component face-to-face, and others are allowing the theory to be completed online now with the practical component to be completed once restrictions ease. There are many organisations who teach these life saving skills - check out the links below for more information:
To download and print a copy of a CPR chart, free of charge, visit NSW Ambulance. The information provided in the chart is not intended as a substitute for completing a First Aid or CPR course. DRS ABCD(This information is not intended to substitute the lifesaving skills learnt through participating in a First Aid or CPR course. Col Jones Hurstville urges all our parents and carers to enrol in a course today.)
Danger - Check for danger Response - Is the patient unresponsive? Send for help - Shout for help, call 000 for an ambulance, and ask for a defibrillator if there is one available Airway - Check airway is open and unobstructed Breathing - Look, listen and feel for breathing CPR - Start CPR (30 compressions : 2 breaths) Defibrillator - Attach a defibrillator as soon as it is available Backyard pools are perhaps the most obvious places which pose a risk of drowning, but even if you do not have a pool at home, the risk of drowning around the home is still very much present. There are many areas both inside the home and around the garden which present as dangers to young children. The Royal Lifesaving Society Australia (RLSA) have found that drowning deaths have occurred in the following places:
Often, it is young children and toddlers who are most at risk of drowning in these places and it is often when supervision is lacking and parents or carers attention is diverted. RLSA recommends that when there are known bodies of water around the home, that supervision is constant. Where possible, bodies of water should be removed - bathtubs emptied immediately, ice and liquids removed from eskies, and buckets emptied (particularly following rain). The Royal Lifesaving Society Australia also highlights the importance of supervision in social settings, where bodies of water around the home may not always be known and where attention may be divided. On many occasions there may be confusion as to who is watching the children, with adults wrongly assuming somebody else is. To avoid confusion, RLSA advise that in social settings at least one responsible adult is designated the 'child supervisor' at all times. For more advice and fact sheets, and to read a real life tragic story on an esky drowning death, head to the Royal Life Society Australia's website. There are many ways you can help your children at home to gain confidence and skills – and they’re not all water based! Blowing Bubbles
Play in the Shower or Bath Students who are afraid or not comfortable submerging their faces can practice in the shower or bath. The key is to start with a small amount of water (soap and shampoo free of course!) trickling down from the top of their heads – only some will reach their faces and is a great way to slowly introduce them to water on their faces in a familiar and fun environment. You can even encourage your children to wear their goggles in the bath and let them explore at their own pace – they will probably be having so much fun they don’t even realise they have submerged their face! Remember to remain encouraging, do not force it and always supervise them! Every child learns at their own pace. Kicking
Arms
Breaststroke
Taking small steps (to retain the correct position) they can practice walking and soon you will have a penguin in the house!
Summer may have ended but the risk of drowning still remains. It is so important that parents remain vigilant with their children around water, not just at pools and beaches in the warmer months but around the home, especially the bath year-round. Ross Gage, Chief Executive of the Australian Swim Schools Association (ASSA) states that “drowning doesn’t discriminate, and as accidents can occur in nearly any body of water, in any season, and to almost anyone, maintaining skills is paramount.” According to Royal Life Saving Australia, the majority of bathtub drowning deaths occur when there is an interruption to routine, such as the phone or doorbell ringing. Many parents and carers believe that they’ll only be gone for a minute - but this is enough time for a tragedy to occur. In Australia, on average, 5 children under the age of five drown, and 47 are hospitalized due to bathtub drowning incidents each year. One in four hospitalizations results in permanent injury such as brain damage. As a parent or carer it is hard to be in all places at once and bath time poses one of the highest risk of drowning for babies and toddlers. Like Col Jones Swim School, Royal Life Saving are committed to educating parents to reduce the number of drownings. They have developed the Keep Watch @ Bath Time program which informs parents and carers on ways to prevent their children from drowning through Active Supervision. It has four key elements:
Actions to help prevent your child drowning during bath time:
AuthorJosephine Moss, Swim School Coordinator.
Josephine and the team at Col Jones Swim School at Hurstville are committed to educating our families on water safety. To see more of the Royal Life Saving Society's bath time safety advice, please visit www.keepwatch.com.au. Myth: My child can swim now so I can just drop them off to their lesson. Fact: All children aged 12 years and under, must be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian at all times in the centre. Whilst our pool deck supervisors and teaching staff are an important safety feature in our programs, they are not intended to replace the close and active supervision of parents or caregivers. This is regardless of ability. Your child may be able to swim very well, however parental supervision is still required. Often we have students who need to use the toilet during their class and need their parent to accompany them. There are also times when first aid needs to be provided (such as for a nosebleed for example), which calls for mum or dad's support. Myth: Teaching Aids are only for young children and beginners. Fact: Teaching aids are used in every single level at Col Jones Hurstville, including in our competitive stream and our adults program! Teaching aids are not just arm floaties or back bubbles - they also include kickboards, pull buoys, flippers, and noodles. All of our teaching devices serve an important purpose in our program, whether that's helping to build confidence, or isolating a particular skill to work those muscles harder. We've detailed some of their uses below: Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator)
On average, one child dies each year from a portable pool related drowning in Australia. Many more are hospitalised and are left with severe, life-long conditions including brain injuries. Portable pools may seem safer - they are generally not as deep as in ground pools, are often temporary, and may appear less of a drowning risk. The fact is though, they are just as dangerous as below-ground pools. These pools include inflatable wading pools, plastic kiddie pools and even larger plastic pools with a frame. Summer may be over, but until portable pools have been emptied and stored safely, the risk remains.
To read more on the Don’t duck out - Make it SAFE campaign, and read a first-hand recount on a portable pool tragedy, head to Royal Life Saving Society's website. Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator) We live by the motto that swimming is a gift for life because learning how to swim not only teaches important life skills, it creates oodles of fun for the whole family with precious memories created along the way. But did you know swimming is also a gift for a HEALTHY life? Learning to swim strengthens our bodies, our minds and our immune systems.
We had a very successful summer season this year, many swimmers achieving personal bests.
School's Competition: It's great to hear so many stories in our swim school of children competing for the first time at their school swimming carnival. It's wonderful to hear the parents talk about the increase in their child's self esteem and self confidence. We have had many children progress on through to Zone / Cluster and onto Mackillop / Regionals. Well done to everyone for giving it your all! 2020 NSW Junior Metropolitan Championships: Earlier this month we had 6 swimmers qualify for the NSW Metropolitan Junior Swimming Championships. We saw all their hard work pay off with sensational swimming and huge PB's across 9 events. Congratulations Chloe, Jacqueline, Maya, Samantha, Samuel and Thomas! These swimmers are all members of our competitive squads and have trained hard to achieve such an amazing feat! All the best for another successful swim at the NSW Junior State Age Championships! It has been a real pleasure talking to our students and their parents and listening to stories of triumph, place-getting as well as the fun they had in participating. One of the recurring conversations with parents was the fact that they "just wanted their child to participate and not be sitting all day being just a spectator".
If your child is nearing the age when they can become eligible or weren't quite ready to compete this time round, here are some tips to get your child ready for the school swimming carnival the next time it comes around. 1. Consistency is the key: Turning up regularly to your lessons is extremely important in skill acquisition. Just like learning other physical skills such as tennis, surfboard riding, ice-skating etc swimming requires time and practice. Turning up to your lessons is vital to the learning process! 2. No Breaks over Winter: The next block of school swimming carnivals start again in December 2020 (Catholic Primary Schools) and in February 2021 (Public Schools). So, we have roughly 10-12 months to prepare. By "taking a 3-4 month break over winter" and returning in September/ October it leaves only 8-12 weeks to "catch-up" to lost skill practice and swimming fitness levels. It's even less if you take into account a summer holiday vacation. This places a child's preparation at a disadvantage compared to the child who swims all year round maintaining and further developing their swim skills and swimming fitness levels. So my tip is to swim through winter for the best possible preparation. We have indoor heated facilities all year round, so no matter what the weather outside the learner will be comfortable. 3. Dives and Turns Classes: Enroll your child in our dives and turns classes to prepare their diving and tumble turning skills for race day. These classes teach your child how to do a dive and tumble turn and they run all year round. We have classes on both weekdays and weekends so check with our reception staff for further details and availability. 4. Race Skills Course: Over the January school holiday period we had amazing success with students participating in our "Race Skills Course". Many students benefited from our coaches expertise and tuition in further advancing their race starts, turns and streamline skills in all four competitive strokes. We will be running a Race Skills Course every school holidays. 5. Swim Club / Friday Night Races: Turning up to a school swimming carnival for the first time can be quite daunting. To help make the experience easier and more enjoyable why not come along to our Friday night races with Jones Swim Club. Everyone is welcome. Jones swim club is a caring and supportive environment and a great way to be introduced to swim races. The races are held every second Friday night. Please check with our reception staff for more details. Hopefully the above tips help in giving parents a few suggestions on how to best prepare your child to prepare for the next swimming carnival. As always if you have any further questions, please contact one of our friendly staff who will be more than happy to help you. We want to see your child excel! Author: John Sortwell - Centre Manager, ex-competitive swimmer, father of 3 and aquatic educator for over 25 years. Royal Life Saving Society Australia (RLSS Australia) released a survey report into parents' and carers' behaviour around home swimming pools. RLSS Australia in conjunction with Griffith University surveyed more than 500 parents of children under 5 in NSW who have access to a home swimming pool. This included both owners of backyard swimming pools and those living in apartment complexes with a pool.
For children aged under 5 years old, home swimming pools are the leading location for drowning. There were two key safety messages which were the focus of this survey: 1. Supervision around home swimming pools 2. Restriction of access around home swimming pools The results revealed that among parents of children under 5 years old, there is a greater value placed on supervision than restricting access to this age group. Whilst 63% of respondents reported always supervising children around their pool in the previous month, only 45% reported always restricting access to their pool in the previous month. This is a major concern as statistics show that lacking either of these factors contributes to drowning deaths. RLSS Australia have previously published data following a 13 year study into drowning deaths in NSW. Looking at children under 5 years old who had drowned in a home swimming pool, supervision was completely absent in the majority of cases. Regarding access to the pools, data revealed that of those children who had drowned in this period:
This data confirms the absolute necessity of both constant active supervision and restricting access with compliant, well maintained fencing. Royal Life Saving Society’s Keep Watch Advice: 1. Supervise: All your attention, all of the time 2. Restrict Access: Ensure there is an adequate barrier between the water and your child 3. Water Awareness: Enrol in swim lessons to gain familiarity and water confidence 4. Resuscitate: Learn the life saving skills of CPR Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator) Myth: Children who have not upgraded to a new level in a while are not progressing.
Fact: For a student to upgrade to the next level, they need to learn several small skills to master the overall 'goal' of the current level. A student does not acquire all these skills immediately. Rather, learning is a process in which skills are acquired in increments which may seem small or insignificant but which are in fact vital to mastering each level. For example, in our White Stingray level where students are learning the Breaststroke kick, there are several components to mastering the correct technique. Students need to be able to turn their feet out, perfect the motion and build the strength required to generate the 'push' (and this is only the basics!) Our teachers and supervisors know how tricky it is to master just one of these skills and understand the importance of celebrating with a child when they do. From a parents point of view it may seem as though the progression is non-existent, when in fact your child is working hard at making small (but still significant!) gains within their level. We encourage you to speak with our pool deck supervisors who monitor our students' progress closely. They will be able to explain the achievements already made in your child's level as well as the skills still to be attained, and will even be able to provide you and your child with some extra tips and encouragement. Look for them on pool deck in the red shirts! Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator) In previous months, we have shared the results of Royal Life Saving Society’s National Drowning Report 2019 revealing some pleasing statistics such as a 30% reduction in drowning of children under the age of five compared to the 10 year average.
Whilst this is a positive step in the right direction, the latest statistics are concerning. Alarmingly, adults accounted for the most drowning deaths in the 2018 - 2019 period, with more than 85% of drowning deaths occurring in people aged 18 and older. Some of the risk factors identified in drowning deaths for adults include pre-existing medical conditions, alcohol use and drug use - overwhelmingly from legal medications. What message can we take from this horrific figure? The first, and perhaps most obvious is that learning to swim is an essential skill for any age group, including adults. It is never too late to learn. Another important message is to take the time to survey your surroundings, particularly at the beach and inland waterways such as rivers and creeks. Follow the advice of lifeguards by swimming between the red and yellow flags. Educate yourself on how to spot a rip and how to get yourself to safety if you find yourself caught in one. The Sydney Morning Herald recently released an interactive guide on how to spot a rip. We urge our families to view this article and even share with your children. It includes visuals of some of Sydney’s most popular beaches, including beaches our families frequent, clearly showing rips along the shore. Along with teaching adults how to swim and surveying and supervising the scene in aquatic environments, have you considered the importance of continued swimming? Perhaps one of the most misguided thoughts in regards to swimming, and certainly one we hear from parents far too often is that “I just want my child to know how to save themselves.” This is problematic for several reasons, particularly because parents view swimming lessons as a way to make their children ‘drown proof.’ There is no such thing as a child being ‘drown proof,’ nor water safe. Swimming in any environment ALWAYS carries a risk and an element of danger, and these are heightened outside of the controlled environment of a swimming lesson. The National Water Safety Strategy 2008-2011 identified that there are falling swimming and water safety achievement levels in children across Australia. A key reason for this is parents stopping swimming lessons too early. Some parents see that their child has hit a ‘plateau’ – a naturally occurring stage when learning any skill, not just those in swimming – and stop swimming. Others see their children reach a benchmark such as being able to swim independently, or master freestyle and cease lessons. Another common misconception amongst parents is that squads are for those who want to pursue a competitive career in swimming. We often hear “I don’t want my child to go to the Olympics, I just want them to learn how to swim!” as though swimming in a squad is only for ‘serious’ swimmers and not simply an extension of what is learnt in the learn-to-swim program. Whilst there is a focus nationwide on learn-to-swim, that should not signal the end of an aquatic education. Skills are quickly lost in times of danger and panic and even strong swimmers can find themselves struggling in difficult and life threatening situations. Shane Daw, Surf Life Saving Australia's Coastal Safety Manager, points out that "there's a big disconnect where we need people to stop overestimating their ability. Things can go wrong and they can go wrong very quickly." To give your child the best aquatic education, children are encouraged to continue developing their skills, fitness and technique well beyond the learn-to-swim program. Squads provide students with the chance to consolidate their skills to take into adulthood. Learning to swim is similar to learning a language – to become proficient and fluent in a language requires an initial learning period followed by a consolidation period. If a student ceases to speak in that language (even if they were once proficient at it) their ability to converse easily decreases over time. To truly be fluent in a language requires regular practice over a long period of time, just like swimming. Author: Josephine Moss (Swim School Coordinator) To check out the interactive guide to spotting a rip, see: https://www.smh.com.au/interactive/2018/how-to-spot-a-rip/ |
Details
Archives
June 2023
Categories |