Teachers take the plunge

At long last the children at Seriously Fun are going to get the chance to see some of their swimming teachers in action!

Not only are the teachers going to be swimming, but they're going to be swimming a mile for charity in various open water locations around the UK including the very cold and murky River Thames.

Lianne Allen, Hayley Stamp and Phillip Madden of Seriously Fun will be taking the plunge at the Great London Swim in the River Thames on July 3rd 2010.

We fully expect to see all of you down at the start line with Seriously Fun banners, t-shirts and anything else you can make. There will be a prize for the biggest and most colourful Seriously Fun banner! The events will be televised, so even if you can’t get down to the waters edge to cheer us on then you can still support us from the comfort of your sofa.

Please support the Seriously Fun swim team on our Just Giving Page and making a donation, every penny helps!

Become our fan on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest updates on our training!

January's FREE Crash course WINNER

Congratulations to Gary Voice who has won himself a FREE crash course simply by signing up as our fan on Facebook during January. It really is that simple. All you have to do is become a fan of Seriously Fun on Facebook and every month we pick a winner for a FREE holiday crash course. So why not log on now and become our friend and you could be February's winner!

Konfidence Swim Jacket

If you're kids are learning to swim or you're looking for peace of mind on holiday then take a look at the Original Konfidence Float Jacket.

The Konfidence Swim Jacket is designed specifically to help children learn to swim and gain confidence in the water.

These swim vests for kids to adults feature removable floats to adjust the buoyancy of the swim jacket as the swimmer becomes more confident in the water.

The Konfidence Jacket promotes correct swimming position and helps both children and adults achieve a face forward position while swimming.

Water Noodles

Water noodles, swim noodles or pool noodles are a flexible, fun, foam water toy and exercise float that has unlimited uses.

Water noodles can be used for floating, splashing, making waves, water exercising, or riding like a seahorse.

Foam noodle floats are ideal as floating and buoyancy devices, for rehabilitation and therapy exercises.

Large pool noodles are great for kids water play and other outdoor activities such as birthday parties.

The SwimFin Back Float

Looking for a new learn to swim aid that's fun and actually works? The new SwimFin is a

revolutionary swimming aid that's worn on the back and is great for beginners and swimmers.

SwimFin is the first truly new development in swimming aids for decades. The SwimFin back float does not restrict the ability to move in the water.

SwimFin is a flotation device that provides as much buoyancy as the swimmer needs and helps maintain good body position.

If the body is low in the water, the SwimFin swimming aid provides more support, ideal for beginners. The higher you are in the water the less support SwimFin provides, great for improvers.

Ear Band-It Swimmers Ear Protection

If you or your child are having problems with gromets or want to keep the water out of your ears then the Ear Band-It original ear band for swimming is just what you're looking for.

The Ear Band-It is the original swimmer's headband, designed to hold ear plugs in while engaging in water activities.

Recommended by doctors worldwide, the comfortable neoprene swimming ear band with Velcro protects ears for swimming.

The original swimmer's headband, designed to hold ear plugs or ear moulds in place while engaging in water activities.

Extra durable neoprene with adjustable Velcro type closure. The Ear Band It unique design offers ultimate comfort and protection for the ears.

Splash About Swim Nappy

We've found a great piece of kit for Mum's who take their little ones baby swimming, the Splash About Happy Nappy is the essential baby swimming nappy.

This revolutionary new SplashAbout Swim Nappy Cover is so simple and so effective, has no ties, no Velcro, no elastic and it's environmentally friendly being washable and reusable.

These neoprene swim nappies for babies and toddlers are made of supple, stretchy neoprene and finished with super soft, snug fitting, deep bands of fabric around the waist and legs that ensure everything is kept inside.

We think you'll love em!

Haiti Earthquake Appeal

A devastating earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck Haiti on 12 January 2010, killing hundreds and affecting thousands more.

Please give what you can today to help thousands of people in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.

Swimming Lessons Resume

Luckily there's been no significant snow fall over the weekend so lessons will run as normal at all venues from Monday 11th January.

Please take extra care in your cars and on foot as roads and paths are still a bit slippy!

Lessons Cancelled Until 10th Jan

Due to the snow (with more expected over the weekend) and in the interest of keeping you all safe, lessons have been cancelled until Sunday 10th January.

We will of course do our best to keep you updated over the coming days.

We were thinking about having a mass snowball fight and snowman building competition if anyone's interested?

Be Water Safe

Be sure to check out our water safety guide by the STA and learn the Water Safety Code.

Kids, please make sure parents pay attention (tell them they'll be a test).

Look out for your water safety lesson at the end of term, it's serious but loads of FUN too!

Happy New Year!

Welcome back and Happy New Year to all our fantastic swimmers.

We're looking forward to seeing you, snow permitting that is. We will of course do our best to keep you up to speed if lessons are affected by the weather.

Assuming we can make our way past the snow men and snow ball fights we very much look forward to getting back into the swim of things and having a FUN filled 2010!

About (Hayley Stamp)

Contact
Email Hayley
Biography
Hayley Stamp: Teacher & Administrator

Hayley loves teaching children to swim, watching them achieve something and also teaching water safety skills that may one day save a life.

Hayley started swimming when she was 5 years old and went on to compete in the County and National Championships. She now spends most of my spare time kayaking down White Water Rivers and snorkelling in clear blue seas during the summer.

About (Phillip Madden)

Contact Me
Email: phillipmadden@seriouslyfun.com
Tel: 01753 251 023
Twitter: @PhillMadden
Facebook: facebook.com/PhillipMadden

Bio
Phillip Madden is Director and co-founder of Seriously Fun, a leading swimming school in the UK.

Phillip has many years experience in the swimming industry providing swimming tuition to babies and children in the UK and USA via Seriously Fun Swimming Schools. Founded in 1990 by Janet Madden, Phillip continues to run the family business along with his mother Janet and brother Jonathon.

Phillip is also a fully qualified FA Football Coach and has been involved with the set-up and development of various sports related companies including soccer schools for children in the UK.

About (Janet Madden)

Contact
Email Janet
Biography
Janet Madden: Director - Founder

Janet Madden is Director and co-founder of Seriously Fun, a leading swimming school in the UK.

Janet has many years experience in the swimming industry providing swimming tuition to babies and children in the UK and USA via Seriously Fun Swimming Schools. Janet founded the swim school in 1990 and continues to run the family business along with her sons Jonathon and Phillip.

Janet has a background in swimming having excelled as a diver and synchronised swimmer and peformed in the Bournemouth aqua show. She has recently developed the Seriously Fun Swim Babies 123 baby swimming programme and is an STA and NARS tutor.

About (Jonathon Madden)

Contact
Email Jonathon
Biography
Jonathon Madden: Director - Founder

Jonathon Madden is Director and co-founder of Seriously Fun, a leading swimming school in the UK.

Jonathon has many years experience in the swimming industry providing swimming tuition to babies and children in the UK and USA via Seriously Fun Swimming Schools. Founded in 1990 by Janet Madden, Jonathon continues to run the family business along with his mother Janet and brother Phillip.

Jonathon has a background in media and has been involved with the set-up and development of various sports related companies including soccer schools for children in the UK.

Children and Ice Safety - KEEP OFF! Supervise, Supervise, Supervise!

In the last 10 years over twenty people have drowned after falling through ice into water, while many others have had to be rescued and revived.

Individuals most at risk are young children and males of any age. Children are obviously attracted to frozen lakes and canals as they present natural ice skating opportunities.

However, over 50 per cent of ice related drowning involved an attempted rescue of another person or a dog. In many instances the dog managed to scramble ashore unaided while the owner did not. It is therefore prudent not to throw sticks or balls for dogs near frozen water and if they do get into trouble, not to attempt to rescue them by venturing onto the ice!

Incident Response

Although the message should be getting through to people that the only way to stay safe near frozen water is to KEEP OFF, every year individuals repeatedly dice with death and venture out onto frozen lakes, canals and other areas of inland water.

The inevitable result is that some fall through or become stranded on islands unable to return to safety.

So what action should be taken in these circumstances to assist the casualty without putting the rescuer at risk?

􀂃 Call for assistance from the emergency services.

􀂃 Do not attempt to go out onto the ice yourself.

􀂃 Instruct the casualty to keep still to maintain heat and energy.

􀂃 Try to find something that will extend your reach, such as a rope, pole, branch or item of clothing.

􀂃 Throw this or reach out to the casualty with it. Then, making sure you are stable on the bank, by lying down or getting someone to hold onto you, attempt to pull the person to the shore.

􀂃 It is advisable for staff who are working at such sites to carry with them (or in their vehicle) a throw line for this purpose.

􀂃 If you cannot find something with which to perform a reach or throw rescue, try to find something that will float to throw or push out to them. This will help to keep the casualty afloat until assistance arrives.

􀂃 Through your rescue KEEP OFF THE ICE, continue to reassure the casualty and keep them talking until help arrives.

􀂃 If the rescue is successful the casualty will need to be kept warm and treated for shock. All casualties should be taken to hospital even if they appear to be unaffected by their ordeal.

Information from the ROSPA web site

It’s Officicial!

A recent study conducted by America’s National Institute of Health, reveals that participating in formal swimming lessons is associated with an 88% reduction in the risk of drowning in children aged 1 to 4 years (Archives Paediatric Medicine, Vol 163 No 3, March 2009).