Aqua Elite

What a great turn out today. Almost full attendance which is always great to see. A wonderful display of swimming. I often get compliments from members and hotel guests who watch the lessons, all saying what great swimmers they are.
Today's Swimmer of the Term has come on so much this year. He started the year with me in the pool with him and now he's flying it without me. His frontcrawl, backstroke and now breaststroke have all developed so much. I see a new found sense of confidence in him. Every week he tries his best and if he's ever in doubt he'll talk to me. He's great for taking direction. Well done Aaron, all your hard work has paid off our Swimmer of the Term.
Our Swimmer of the Year is a very impressive Swimmer. His stamina knows no bounds. He's extremely diligent, competitive, and very strong. To hold your form and technique for long sets is not easy but he always swims to a high standard. No matter what I throw at him he always gets on with it. He didn't start his swim journey like this but watching him grow into such a beautiful Swimmer makes me very proud. So well done to James our Swimmer of the Year.

Last Saturday of the year tomorrow.

Thursday complete. Well done to all our swimmers today. It was a lovely occasion today. Two of our swimmers have become such good pals of the last few months. They have brought out the best in each other. They love the chats, the laughs and most importantly they encourage each other all the time. They bounce off each other so well and I've really enjoyed watching their friendship grow.
Besides that their swimming has come on leaps and bounds.
Today's Swimmer of the Term has really grown in confidence in both his frontcrawl breathing and his backstroke. This term he's worked really hard for me and I'm delighted to call Finn our Swimmer of the Term. Well done Finn.
Out next Swimmer was very nervous when he started with me. He found it hard to relax and trust the process. He didn't trust the board and thought fast was the only option. Get there as quick as possible. All year he's worked with me. We've built his confidence, he's started believing in himself and his swimming has come on leaps and bounds. For someone who hated backstroke he's done so well. I'm really proud of you Aaron our Swimmer of the Year.
I was delighted to award these good pals both prizes today and they were both so happy for each other. Well done boys.

I love the last week of term. Showcasing all we have learnt throughout the term. The end of year is extra special as I can see how much everyone has progressed. Thank you for making me proud.
Time for our Swimmer of the Term. Today's Swimmer has worked very hard for me this term. We have been focusing hard on her frontcrawl breathing and the penny has dropped for her. I see her confidence has come on so much and she's really enjoying her swimming now. To top it off she told me it was her birthday today. So well done Poppy, very well deserved and a huge Happy Birthday.
Now time to our Swimmer of the Year. Today's Swimmer is an absolute pleasure to teach. From the first day she started with me she has always given me 100%. She has tried her best week in week out. Once she mastered her frontcrawl breathing she moved up a level to where I'm no longer in the water. She was slightly nervous with the step up, but true to form she gave it her all and tried her best, with a smile on her face. Her backstroke has become very strong and she has also added breaststroke to her bow. So well done Aurora, our Swimmer of the Year, this was so well deserved.

Last Week kicks off today..... let's do this

What a week so far. I haven't put my swimmers togs on once this week. Seeing the faces of those I'm normally in the pool with is quite comical. I have to say I have been extremely proud all week. From our confident swimmers, to our nervous swimmers everyone has exceeded all expectations.
All our swimmers now know they can swim on their fronts and easily switch to their backs. They know how to enter the water safely. Swim out and change direction. For our more experienced swimmers they have even mastered the art of getting safely through water without their goggles.
I am extremely proud of every single swimmer for embracing the week.
Knowing they can now enjoy the simmer armed with all the tools makes me happy.
Last day of water safety tomorrow.

Slightly different style of class this week. As summer approaches it's important all our swimmers know how to be safe around water and how to cope when caught off guard. Today's groups had the first insight today and all coped really well. It will be a fun safe week.

Another great week completed. Focus this week was on blocks of 3. Leg action, arm action then swim action. Building confidence at each stage, then putting it altogether to complete the stroke. Well done everyone our frontcrawl is improving week after week. I can see already those who are ready to progress after this term.

Everyone's swim journey is different. Some take to it easy and move through the stages with little or no issue. Some progress easy but as they move on they hit setbacks and struggle for a few weeks but gain confidence and then move up without issue. Some struggle from the start. There may be tears, push backs and reluctance. The thing to remember here is the swimmer won't remember this stage. It is much harder on the parent navigating it. I have years and years of experience and seen it all. If you stick with it these hard times pass.
A perfect example of this is from my first class this morning. Two sisters in the ones class. One happy attending each week and progressing week in, week out. The other more reluctant, cautious, nervous. However we have stuck at it. Ear infections, haven't helped but with new hat and goggles the past number of weeks the confidence has grown. From avoiding jumping in, not wanting to do parts of the class. This morning our Swimmer Aisling was just super. She listened, understood and tried her best in all aspects. At the end of the class she jumped in full of determination and swam to me. Well done Aisling I'm super proud of you.
If we fast forward to 6months I can guarantee if we ask Aisling do you remember the tears, the fear, she will just laugh. As they never do. Perseverance, patience is all that is needed. They all get their in the end.
Happy Weekend Guys.

The are in Limerick tomorrow leaving Arthur's Quay at 10am to run their marthaon. Anyone around to support them get behind them. They deserve a huge crowd, I just wish I could support them myself.

Great to be back after a short break last weekend. Hope everyone enjoyed the bank holiday weekend. Our Friday and Saturday more advanced swimmers have been working on breaststroke this week. Frog legs as it's better known as. Timing and patience is key. Everyone worked really hard so thank you.
Some great feedback from our younger swimmers today. When reminding Rodhan that he must kick his legs, he informed "but I was so good he was at blowing my bubbles." Zach also informed how good he's getting at swimming. I just love their correct feedback. As they both are improving week in and week out. As are all our swimmers.
Finally happy Birthday to Abby for tomorrow. Enjoy your special day.
Back to the pool Monday.

A big thank you to Holly for this fabulous picture she gave me on Friday. Showing her love of swimming, makes me so happy. This week we worked hard on our backstroke. A real love or hate stroke. Two swimmers stick out. Both moved up a level this term where I'm no longer in the water with them. Both had an adverse reaction to backstroke. Neither liked it and there were tears, push backs and heels dug in. However I knew they would come good and low and behold I had that full circle moment this week watching them flourish and enjoy swimming the backstroke happily and with ease. Patience is always the keys with swimming. Yes their may be tears, reluctance, unwillingness but I always see the small wins, and the bigger picture. Consistency is key. I actually said to one of these swimmers this week, " do you remember when you hated backstroke and they struggled their shoulders. Kids never remember.
So well done Fia and Elise two examples of how fears can be overcome.
Gentle reminder no swimming on Friday 1st or Saturday 2nd this week. A welcome beak for the bank holiday weekend.