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New 29 June

After much foofing about, the results from both gala weeks are now updated.

Remember to buy your tickets for this weeks Presentation Evening this week, £4 per adult, £2 per child, £10 for a family ticket (2 adults, 2 children).  The Pavilion's kitchen will be open this year, so you can eat at the venue if you wish.  Please remember that children are the responsibilty of their parents or carers - we don't want any accidents caused by collisions between children and hot food! 

We've got some great raffle prizes on offer, and some surprise trophies too - the Endeavour awards, for instance, and will Stone Bay, the defending Champions for the overall gala winners, be claiming the trophy again this year??

New 24 June

The Personal Survival groups for the courses in the main pool have now been finalised apart from teacher allocation - click here to see the final list of who is doing what.

The results of the second gala week (17 June) are up now, we are having a lot of technical problems with things at the mo so the first weeks results will follow as soon as we can! 

We've put up a survey form to assess the gala this year.  Please take just 2 mins to complete it for us to let us know what you think (in a nice way!).

A lot of you will remember Chloe Gambrill, who swum with us a little while ago.  She is up to her old fundraising tricks again, this time for Cancer Research UK in the Race for Life on 4th July in Herne Bay.  She is running it with her mum Kelly and others.  Their fundraising target is £750 - a fairly modest sum that can really make a difference.  Chloe has some very famous followers - click here  to have a look at her page, her reasons for running and just who the superstar fans are - oh, and maybe sponsor her too so she can hit the target! Thanks. 

New 19 June

We've sorted out the Personal Survival groups for 8, 15, 22 and 29 July (the last week is assessment week) - click here to see who is doing what, but keep checking during this week for updated session times for some swimmers & for an updated list once we've checked it against the main pool register.

Presentation Evening - 2 July, Broadstairs Pavilion - tickets will be on sale next week!!!

New 18 June

We've heard a few comments about the gala so here's a quick couple of responses:

It looked like some swimmers were racing against others a couple of years older - the races were divided into age groups of 9 and under, 10 and under, 11-12, 13-14, 15-16 and Ladies/Mens.  These are the standard Amateur Swimming Association age groups.  It might have been that, due to a small amount of swimmers in some age groups, that 2 events were swum at the same time, for instance we might have swum the 11-12 year olds at the same time as the 13-14 year olds to save a bit of time.  Age for the groupings is the age of the swimmer on New Years Eve.  The swimmers will still be sorted out in their age groups for results, medals, etc. 

Disqualifications - pretty much every week, swimmers in the main pool are reminded that they must touch the wall with both hands at the end of a breaststroke length, and they must stay on their back at the end of a backstroke length (unless they are tumble turning).  There were several disqualifications for these this week, as we feel these are basic things that we often teach.  The swimmers were also reminded about the two hand touch rule on the bench before the breaststroke race, and again before the race started.

Heats - where there were more than 6 swimmers in an age group for an event, they are sorted into 2 (or more) heats.  The swimmer likely to be fastest is put in to heat 1, the next fastest into heat 2, the next into heat 1, and so on.  The swimmers finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd in all heats receive a medal, and the fastest swimmers overall receives the trophy.

Format - holding the gala in club time was, this year, a last resort.  We had a fair amount of hitches along the way, not least the first England World Cup football match being on the evening of the planned date, which we could not have foreseen!  We were already 3 qualified volunteers down on that date, without the football clashing.  We tried other dates, which meant moving the gala AND Presentation Evening, but still needed the large amount of volunteers (skilled and unskilled) to put on the full formal gala as usual.  This was proving to be extremely difficult so the decision was made to try the gala in normal session time.  This takes a lot less organising but obviously there are plus and minus points apart from that!  Some parents have commented that the atmosphere was competitive but in a friendlier way as it was the familiar faces on poolside, and that their children responded well to this. 

Special Race - this has traditionally been for swimmers who have just moved into or are about to move into the main pool, to bridge the gap, so that they are swimming against others who are also not necessarily strong enough to compete against their age group swimmers with any equality.  Due to the change in Stages in the main pool, meaning that swimmers are in the main pool slightly sooner but remaining in that Stage for a while, the criteria was changed just before the gala to include Stage 4 swimmers only.  Some of these swimmers have been in the main pool for a few months, which runs contrary to the original concept of the event.

We'll be reviewing the gala at the Committee meeting on Tuesday and will be asking for constructive feedback from swimmers, parents etc over the next couple of weeks.  Look out for the surveys in the website and at reception.

It might be an odd thing to put on the website, but if you don't do computers and need updates by other means than we usually use (this website, Facebook, email), please let us know so that we can appoint a Committee member to keep you in touch.

We'll be doing some main pool trials over the next couple of weeks and hope to have some new swimmers on board soon.

And finally - Presentation Evening - 2 July, Broadstairs Pavilion - tickets will be on sale this week!!!

New 16 June

As we've got a funny old format for this year's gala, we'd like to invite the Stage 4 swimmers who took part in last week's Special Race, to come along in their normal 7.30 session for a special backstroke 25m event.  This is so that they are taking part in both of the gala weeks.  Please note that this will NOT be for medals or a trophy, but swimmers taking part will be awarded points for their Bay.

Remember that we will need timekeepers again this week, so if you are free please either email us on broadstairsswim@sky.com or come along and make yourself known on poolside.

Final results will be posted on the website sometime after this Friday.  Boys, Girls, Mens and Ladies Champion results will not be published to keep up the suspense for Presentation Evening on 2 July. 

The Endeavour Awards are for swimmers in the small pool and each of the main pool groups.  Teachers nominate swimmers who rise to the challenges that they are set with a positive attitude.  The winners of these awards are closely guarded secrets and are only announced on Presentation Evening!

New 10 June

Firstly, well done to the swimmers who took part in the first half of the 'streamlined' gala this evening - and a huge thank you to the volunteers on poolside and out in reception who make it all happen.

We need some help from swimmers and parents/carers in relation to the gala:

  • Please, please make sure that your child is at the pool for the correct time next week if they wish to do the breaststroke, butterfly and the younger individual medley races
  • Remember that the Boys and Girls Bay relays are next week in the 8.15 session - if one swimmer fails to attend, the whole team has to withdraw so PLEASE make sure you are either there if needed (even as a reserve) OR you let us know that you won't be coming.  It's very stressful for the Bay Captains to try to sort out a new team at the last minute! 
  • Swimmers - you need to pay attention when you are waiting on the bench as your name will be called to line you up for a race.  You need to listen carefully so that you don't miss your chance to shine!
  • Talking of the relays, please keep checking the selections as they are liable to change over the next few days.

Have you found us on Facebook yet?  It's the quickest way for us to get messages out so have a look for us if you're on FB.

Special Race in the annual gala - this is aimed at swimmers who have recently come up to the main pool from the small pool, which now translates to the Stage 4 group.  The current rule is that swimmers taking part in the Special Race may not take part in the other races.  Due to a combination of factors, we will review this after the gala, but maybe not in time for Presentation Evening on 2 July, so please watch this space for updates. 

Presentation Evening tickets will be on sale over the next few weeks, make sure you buy early as we've booked a beautiful warm Broadstairs evening - we'll be at the Broadstairs Pavillion again, with a disco, raffle, medals, trophies, hopefully food from their kitchen - it's all good!

Personal Survival - this is booked in to start on the last Thursday of June for 4 weeks so keep checking for who is doing what - broadly speaking though, start finding some old pyjamas or long sleeved tops & trousers that can go in the pool.

New 3 June

Firstly, congratulations to our volunteers who have achieved Swim21 accreditation again this year.  This is a 'charter mark' type award to recognise good standards of teaching, planning, development, fund raising, range of activities, etc.

Click here to see the Relay team selections for the Bay relays over the next couple of weeks.

Congratulations to the swimmers in the small pool who have achieved the standards needed for some recent awards. Click here for the results.

New 2 June

Click here for the current version of the gala - BUT this is being reworked tonight and tomorrow so look out for more info either on Facebook, Gala Information page on this website or on paper tomorrow at the pool

New 27 May

A big thank you to the parents who attended the Club's AGM earlier this month.  Read the minutes here

We welcome new members to the Committee - check out the Who's Who page in a couple of days for updated profiles!

Remember that the reworked gala will be taking place in normal sessions on 10 and 17 June BUT some swimmers will need to switch session times for those two weeks only - more details to follow

New 8 May

Please note that with immediate effect, the club's new email address is

broadstairsswim@sky.com

Any emails sent to the previous email address between March and May may NOT have been received or accessed so please send again or contact a Committee member at the AGM on Tuesday.

New 30 April

Annual General Meeting - Tues 11 may, 7.30pm at the Racing Greyhound, Hereson Rd, Ramsgate

- please make every effort to attend as we will be discussing the future of the club.

We've had a few hitches in planning this years gala, and have had to change our plans again - click here to see the final outline

..... and breaking news - the final count for the sponsored swim earlier this month has just been published - last time, we swum up Mount Everest and back down again - check out this years feat!

New 7 April 2010

At long last the waiting list page has been updated, so have a look to check progress!

Remember there is a sponsored swim later this month, forms are available from the front desk.  As usual on sponsored swim nights, we will only be counting lengths, distances will not count for awards.

We're lucky to have a couple of volunteers for some of our vacancies so watch this space for new names and faces!

                                                                                                                                         New 7 January 2010

Welcome to a new decade! 

Unfortunately due to the freezing conditions and snow, we will NOT be opening this evening.  An email has been sent to everyone that we have details for but please pass this message on.

New 19 December

We are welcoming some new members in January so the waiting list page has been amended.

We still urgently need a new Treasurer to come forward.  The AGM is around May 2010 and we would like to have a volunteer who has already shadowed the current Treasurer for a while, by then.  Please talk to Alan at the desk if you would like more info.

We'll see you all on 7 January - hope you have happy holidays.

New 26 November

Congratulations to all the swimmers who completed their distances this evening, and good luck for next time to those who missed it this time round.  Click here to see the results.

Most of the awards were ready this evening but lots of swimmers hit the mile marker and so those badges will be ordered & hopefully we'll have them ready for next week.  Remember that at the moment the cost of the badges is included in your monthly subs!

Thanks to the willing volunteers who offered to count lengths for the swimmers tonight, it's a great help and we hope you enjoyed it.

Next week, 3 December, will be polo for main pool swimmers, normal session times.  Lawrence Arnold will be joining us, and we're hoping Stuart might be able to make it too.

10 December will be aquacise for 9.00pm group only (this time round, anyway) and will be for an hour - so finishing in the water at 10pm, not 9.45pm.  Please make sure that the lift-givers are aware! 

17 December is splash night, see the update below for more details. 

We won't be swimming on 24th or 31st December, back to normal the following week.

New 30 October

Just a few short updates at the mo - firstly, there has been quite a lot of noise from the changing rooms, particularly the boys, when the 7.30 and 8.15 swimmers have been getting changed, which has sometimes led to disruption of the lessons in the Main Pool.  This is a reminded that swimmers in the changing rooms are the responsibility of and under the control of their parents or carers - the Club is not responsible for swimmers once they have left poolside.  We want all swimmers to be happy and safe during their time at the pool.

The annual review of emergency contact numbers and school info is well underway.  We collect the school info so that we can identify suitable swimmers to be our Club reps at school.  Please make sure that you have completed one of the forms asap.

Hopefully the 7.30 swimmers are enjoying the new pool set up, over widths instead of lengths.  If you have any comments, please speak to one of the Parent Liaison Officers in reception - Emma Kemp, Louise English or Becki Bexley.

Christmas dates - Splash night is 17 December, which is when the big inflatables and toys come out to play!  Swimmers must be able to swim 50m (2 lengths) of the main pool before they will be allowed on the island.  Parents/carers and siblings can join in the fun for a small fee - no friends or unrelated visitors, please, for safety reasons.

We will be closed on 24 and 31 December, returning as normal the following week.

New 27 August

It's been a while since we've put any updates on! 

It's the last extended session for water polo tonight, back to normal sessions next week.  Thanks to Stuart and Lawrence for helping us out.

Next week also sees the new pool set up and time for the 7.30 main pool groups.  Please remember to pick up your envelope in reception if this affects you.

The Waiting List page has been updated today, see it via the How Do I Join button on the left

Good news - on 3 August, Sue White and the other 'Danger Ducks' set off on their channel relay in the morning, and completed the crossing in a very respectable 14hrs 23mins and 11 seconds.  Thanks to everyone who sponsored Sue to raise money for Footprints (see details below), the forms will be around in reception to collect the money so that we can get it sent off soon - thank you.

We have a Committee meeting next week so please approach a member of the Committee if there is anything that you would like to pass on, query or wish to be discussed.

New 17 July

Click here to see the information about main pool changes in the 7.30pm group from September 2009 - remember to come in to reception to pick up your booklet (and save the club some postage money!)

Some of you may have heard of the local children's hospice, Footprints, near Canterbury, who provide respite and residential care for terminally ill children and their families.  Footprints is funded ENTIRELY by charitable donations - they receive no other income.  Christy Shelley, brother of Angelica Barnes, one of the club's young swimmers, spent the last two and a half years of his life being looked after by those fantastic people at Footprints.  Sadly, Christy died at the end of May this year. 

You might remember a mention of Sue White, main pool teacher, Vice Chair, Assistant Secretary, & parent (not necessarily in that order), who is swimming the channel in a relay team in early August (just a couple of weeks time).  There is a sponsor form available in reception to raise money and awareness of Footprints, so if you would like to support the charity by sponsoring Sue, either please pledge something on the form, or to speed up your donation so that it gets where it needs to go, see justgiving.co.uk/footprintscanterbury - thank you.

New 26 June

Click here to see who passed their Personal Survival awards last night (this page now includes the Preliminary Safety Award passes from a few weeks ago), and click here to see who passed their Rubba Dubba awards in the teaching pool, too.

Unfortunately, an item of a swimmer's personal property was badly damaged in the female changing rooms last evening.  This caused upset and distress for the swimmer and family, and some embarrassment for the teachers, as only club members and families had access to the changing rooms.  If you can help shed some light on how this might have accidentally happened, or would like to pass something on, please contact us on the club's email - broadstairsswim@sky.com - you will probably need to cut and paste this into your address bar of an email as the link doesn't always work on all PCs - thanks. 

It might also be a useful time to remind parents and carers that they are responsible for their child or children's behaviour in the changing rooms.

New 29 May

We managed to put a few swimmers through their Preliminary Safety Award last evening, click here to see who achieved it, and click here to see who passed a Water Polo award in the 9.00pm group.

New 22 May

Click here to see the provisional Gala results 2009 - just one that we are still looking at, Event 102, one of the relays.  We're just going to do a final check through the others before we can OK them for sure.

We know that not all parents or carers usually come into reception to drop off or pick up swimmers, but can you please come in next week if you don't normally as we have some info for each and every member. Thanks.

The Personal Survival lists are now out so click here to see which award your child will be working towards in the Main Pool - the small pool runs slightly differently.

And lastly, have a look at the updated Who's Who page - just two people now to get pictures for!

New 19 May

Gala results to follow - but a huge THANK YOU to all the people who made the gala evening a huge success.  We've had the best feedback ever about the evening - improved sound, good visual gala due to the coloured hats, very professional, very slick - thanks you for your feedback, it helps us to work out how to improve what we do.

Thanks to the parents who attended the AGM this evening - we appreciate it that you made time to come along - click here to see the minutes and the result of a vote this evening that will have an impact on your subs and badges/certificates.

We are delighted to confirm that Cathy Tuddenham has accepted our invitation to be our Honorary President.  See the AGM minutes for a few more details about Cathy if you don't already know her.  We're very proud that Cathy has agreed to continue her connection with the club in this way.  Alan Tilbury has now become the club Secretary - he's the smiley chap behind the desk! 

Gary and Michele Hams have volunteered to take on the role of Press & Publicity Officers for the club, as they have established local links - thank you.

We also say thanks to Louise English and Jane Pond who have served on the Committee for some time and welcome Darren Sayer to the Committee.  The Who's Who page will be updated in due course.

We are in serious need of a Treasurer to replace Ian White.  A Job Description will appear on this website over the next few days.  We also need to appoint an independant Auditor, whose role is to check the books at year end in March 2010.  Please contact Alan Tilbury for details.

We'll be busy planning the Personal Survival courses in the main pool over the next couple of weeks, keep an eye out for the lists of who is doing what.

New 16 May

It's gala night tonight!  Some people say it's more interesting than the Eurovision Song Contest - come along and find out for yourself!  Please remember that photos, videos etc may NOT be taken at the pool - please make sure that everyone with your party knows about this.

Thanks to all the parents, carers and members who have donated prizes for the gala and Presentation Evening. 

On a different note, our attention was brought to unwelcome behaviour in the boy's changing room when the 7.30 male swimmers were changing after their lesson.  Please note that swimmers are the responsibility of their grown ups in the changing rooms.  The Club takes a dim view of behaviour that might bring it into disrepute and has ceased membership in the past for this reason.  It is not acceptable to throw things around or to create a mess that the pool staff are faced with at the end of their shift.  We will monitor this over the next few weeks and look forward to an improvement from now on.

New 11 May

We've written to all of the swimmers that were on the list for a tryout in the Main Pool (not the Small Pool, that list is run separately), to see if they still require a tryout.  The deadline for replies was today & we've had around 12 replies from around 30+ swimmers.  Hopefully everyone has had time to reply, as if we don't hear from people we will assume that they no longer require a tryout.  See the updated Waiting List page.

New 1 May

Just a short update today - please see the Charity survey - if you have not cast a vote to choose the charity that the Club will support from the proceeds of the gala and Presentation Evening, please either use this online survey, or the tick sheet at the reception desk - thank you.

See the long awaited Newsletter!

New 30 April

Click here to go to the warm up plan for the gala.

We'd like to pass on a big thanks to our sponsors for 2009 gala & Presentation Evening:

Gillingham Ice Bowl, Leeds Castle, P&O Ferries, Saga, Tesco Extra Westwood, Thorley Taverns and Waterstones.

Please remember to bring in your donations for raffle prizes tonight or next Thursday.  Thank you.

Bays swim caps - some people might have taken these home by mistake.  If that' you, please hand the hat back in this week or next week, thanks.

New 29 April

Annual General Meeting - we need as many people to attend the AGM as possible - if you are going to the gala, keep your entrance ticket to claim your free drink!  It's at the Racing Greyhound, Hereson Rd, Ramsgate, May 19, 7.30pm, please make every effort to attend to find out what we've been doing with your children and your money!

Following a Committee meeting last evening, there is a new Club Bye Law regarding ceasing membership of swimmers if they have attended twice or less in a consecutive 12 week period (one rotation of the register or teaching term).  This applies where subs have been paid - if subs have not been paid, the Arrears Policy applies.  Please keep checking this page for the wording of the rule. 

The background to this is that we have some swimmers who can already swim, but who only attend a couple of times every quarter.  We have an extensive waiting list of young people waiting to learn to swim and would like to be able to welcome some of these people into the club on a more regular basis - we don't want to shoo existing members out of the door, but equally we don't want to waste precious water time!

Gala updates - the programme is just about to go off to the printers - thank you to Justin Tilley, Darren & Emily Sayer & Sue White for putting all the info together.  Alan Tilbury, Louise English and Becky Bexley are your Fundraising Committee and would like all donations of quality raffle prizes to be brought along on Club nights this week or next week, please. 

Emma Kemp and Jane Pond have been busy checking all the trophies - there are still a few to come back in - please check your cupboards!

Please check the warm up plan that will be out on the desk & tables to see where you will be warming up & how long for.

New 27 April

Congratulations to Darren Sayer who completed the London Marathon yesterday in 4 hours 3 minutes - a fantastic time on such a warm day!

The Gala Committee are working hard behind the scenes to get the event running smoothly on the night.  We're almost ready to get the programme to the printers.  There's a slight change to the running order due to the addition of the TT Bay Relay.  The Age Group Bay Relay will now take place immediately after the warm up and before the small pool races.  After the small pool races, we go to the main pool for the Special Race and then the TT Bay Relay will be swum.

Here are the relay entries for the gala:

Lifesaving relay - Sophie White/Danielle Aspital, Lily Price/Beth Campbell, John Drake/Charlie Gambrill, Ben Mays/Emily Mays, Maria Steffanini/Grace Andrews

Frog Relay - Emma & Alfie Warren

Tadpole Relay - Emma & Rosie Warren

Family Race - Tuddenham, Campbell, White, Gambrill

New 23 April 

Good luck to Darren Sayer, our Membership Officer, who is running the London Marathon on Sunday to raise money for Children with Leukaemia.  He's been training really hard, and has been sighted at crikey o'clock running along the road to Sandwich in the freezing cold - one morning was minus 7 degrees and his drink froze!  Good luck, Darren, have a safe run round. 

Entries have been recieved from the following swimmers (relays TBA) - please remember that gala entry closed last weekend - we will NOT accept any further entries:

Grace Andrews, Danielle Aspital, Angelica Barnes, Jack Basson, Ethan Bexley, Hannah Burbridge, Dave Campbell, Charlie Cook, Nicole Cook,

Charlie Cotton, Daisy Cotton, Shannon Hardisty, Hannah Denny, Isabella Drake, Jon Drake, Isabel English, Olivia English, Charlie Gambrill,

Chloe Gambrill, Darren Gambrill, Curtis Hams, Tyler Hams, Lucy Kear, Ben Mays, Emily Mays, Lucas Nash, Alfie Parsons, George Parsons, Stan Pike,

Cameron Pond, James Preston, Alice Price, Eddie Price, Lily Price, Toby Rayleigh Strutt, Bethany Robinson, Henry Smallbone, Matthew Smallbone,

Katie Staines, Maria Steffanini, Josh Tilbury, Harry Tilley, Jack Tilley, Alex Tuddenham, Bronwyn Tuddenham, Alfy Warren, Emma Warren,

Sophie White, Sue White, Alice Whyley Gunning, Sean Whyley-Gunning, Toby Wood

 

              New 17 April

The Bay relays are swum in allocated lanes for each Bay - Joss are in Lane 2, Viking Lane 3, Stone Lane 4, Botany Lane 5.

Age Group Bay Relay

(1 swimmer from each of 7.30 and 8.15, plus 2 others, one Girls race, one Boys race) This race is swum immediately after the Special Race in the Main Pool.  Selections are as follows (this is not necessarily the order that the team will swim):

(see below for the TT Bay Relay, 4 x 25m)

Joss - Girls - Nicole Cook, Emily Sayer, Daisy Cotton, Danielle Aspital - (side lane needed, not in usual gala lane)

Reserve - Lucy Kear (for either Daisy or Danielle only)

Joss - Boys - Henry Smallbone, Josh Tilbury, Charlie Cotton, Tom Howard

Reserves - Matthew Smallbone, Luke Hammocks & Robert Campbell (for Josh, Charlie or Tom only), George Hammocks (for Charlie and Tom only)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Viking - Girls - Verity Jones, Alice Price, Bronwyn Tuddenham, Adele Lamb

Viking - Boys - Steven Little, Jack Pike, Alex Tuddenham, Dave Campbell

No reserves advised to date

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Stone - Girls - defending champions -  Isabelle Mounter, Sophia Steffanini, Maria Steffanini, Sophie White

Stone - Boys - defending champions - Frank Webster, Ethan Bexley, Charlie Gambrill, Jon Drake

No reserves advised to date

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Botany - Girls - Hannah Denny, Ella Bartlett, Katie Staines, Angelica Barnes

Reserves - Dacia Fortunas Matias (for Hannah)

Botany - Boys - Lucas Nash, Tyler Hams, Jack Basson, James Preston

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TT Bay Relay

(4x 25m, mixed team, no age restrictions) selections are:

Joss - Charlie Cotton, Danielle Aspital, Daisy Cotton, Tom Howard (Reserves - Lucy Kear, George Hammocks)

Viking - Dave Campbell, Alex Tuddenham, Bronwyn Tuddenham, Adele Lamb

Stone - Jon Drake, Charlie Gambrill, Sophie White, Chloe Gambrill

Botany - Jack Basson, James Preston, Katie Staines, Angelica Barnes

New 16 April

Thanks to all those who submitted their gala entries on time, before it closed this evening.  Due to low attendance numbers this evening, as an exception, we will leave entry open until noon this Saturday 18 APRIL but it must be online (see the button on the left) or by paper entry.

Some parents were advised this evening that paper entry would be accepted next week, but this does not leave us enough time to do all the whizzy behind the scenes things that need to happen before the programme can be produced, and so paper entries will not be accepted next week.  Click here to download load an entry form to print. 

The Bay Captains and Vice Captains have worked hard over the last couple of weeks to have a look at and select swimmers for the Age Group Bay Relay and the new TT Bay Relay.  The names of selected swimmers will appear on this page over the next 48 hours.  Please remember that some of the swimmers will be reserves only, until the Captain needs to replace another swimmer.  Reserves names will be shown as such.

Tickets for gala evening at Hartsdown on Saturday 16 May and programmes will be on sale 7 May and 14 May, and will also be available for sale on the night.  Please be aware, though, that the balcony has a limit on the amount of spectators allowed up there, so buy early to avoid possible disappointment!

New 2 April

We've changed to format of the Age Group Bay relay, as well as the TT Bay relay.  The Age Group relay will now be made up of a team of 4, comprising 1 swimmer from the 7.30 group, 1 swimmer from the 8.15 group and the other 2 swimmers are a free choice of the Bay Captain/Vice Captain.  Hopefully this will help make the Caps job a bit easier and mean that younger swimmers still get a go.

Have a look at the distances polished off by some of the 7.30 swimmers tonight - congratulations to those who achieved some very long distances for that session.

New 1 April

The format of the new Bay relay has changed - it's called the TT Bay relay - it's now a 4x25m mixed team, rather than 2 girls/2 boys. 

New 31 March

It's the last couple of days to bag your place at the synchro taster session on Saturday morning - see below for details.

This evening, the Committee pledged to support a charity, chosen by the members, following the club gala and Presentation Evening.  We will donate a percentage of takings from ticket sales, raffle prizes and programme sales.  The amount will be decided after the events once costs have been covered.  We'd like the members to choose the charity - so this is where you come in!

We'd like you to have a look at the three charities that we've narrowed it down to and tick a box on a form that will be on the desk on club nights.  The charities are (each link will open in a new window):

... so the more raffle tickets and gala entry tickets you buy, the more money will go to the charity chosen by the majority of members!  And if you keep your gala entry ticket you can get a free drink at ........... 

The Annual General Meeting which will be held on Tuesday 19 May 2009 7.30pm at the Racing Greyhound, Hereson Rd, Ramsgate.  All members are eligible to attend and are encouraged to attend to hear the financial situation of the club and to vote in the new Committee.  The Teachers and Committee would like to see as many parents there as possible to show some support and appreciation for the time that they donate for free to teach your children to swim, in their spare time.  The next Committee meeting will be on 28 April, please approach a Committee member or Club rep in reception if there is anything that you would like to be discussed - see the Who's Who page if you're not sure who to talk to.

Trophies - these were due back in last week - but if you still have yours, please bring it back THIS WEEK without fail.  Remember that they must be in good order and clean - we will challenge any returns that fall below the standard that the trophies were presented in, due to damage, being returned unclean or incomplete, and may request replacement or payment to cover replacement or repair.

New 28 March

                     

Synchronised swimming taster session

We are working in partnership with Hythe Aqua and Thanet School Sports Partnership to bring a FREE synchro taster session to Thanet!  It will involve moving to music in the water, making shapes, diving down and lots of things that you might not have tried before!  Here are more details:

  • Ramsgate Pool, Newington Road, Ramsgate
  • Saturday 4 April
  • Two sessions - 9.30-10.15am and 10.15-11.00am
  • Open to girls AND boys
  • Aged between 7 and 12 from Thanet Schools (if we have room we'd be happy to include young people from outside the district)
  • It's good if the swimmers can swim two widths, but it's not a problem if you can't - as long as you can swim!
  • 2 groups in each session - shallow end and deep end

Closing date is Thursday 2 April

To book your place please email us on broadstairsswim@sky.com (please copy & paste this into your email message as the link sometimes doesn't work) giving the following details:

  • childs (or childrens) name
  • age and school year group (ie Year 6)
  • school
  • whether they can swim 2 widths
  • whether they are comfortable in the deep water and able to swim there with confidence
  • which session you would prefer - we'll do our best to fit you in!
  • any learning difficulties or physical disabilities that might affect your child during their time with us
  • Your place will be confirmed by email

Please remember that we expect a good standard of behaviour in the sessions

New 26 March

Check out the Distance awards for the 7.30 group this evening

Thanks to Lawrence Arnold for coming ove to coach the water polo session for the 8.15 group and 9.00 group.  The swimmers all had a great time and are rapidly improving with Lawrence's coaching.  He said that our swimmers are a really good group of young people who listen well, behave well and learn quickly - that's great to hear from an outside coach - well done to you all.

ALL trophies should be back in by this week, but if you've still got yours, please bring it next week without fail, all clean and shiny and ready to be presented!  Please remember that trophy holders are responsible for maintenance and repair of trophies will they have got them.  All trophies are in good order and condition when they are presented and we expect them to be returned clean, undamaged and intact.  We will give dirty trophies back to the holder for cleaning if needed. 

Relay entry opened this evening - please find the forms on the Reception desk - this closes 16 April.

New 24 March

Check out the timed swim distances for last weeks 8.15 and 9.00 groups.  These distances do NOT count for an award as we do not check for stroke techniques, stoppages, etc under test conditions.

This week (26 March) the 7.30 group will be swimming for their distance awards.  To acheive this, we will need some volunteer counters please (I'm hoping the Bay Captains and Vice Caps may volunteer if they are free!)  The badges may be available to buy this week and/or next week.

The 8.15 and 9.00 groups will be playing water polo this week, in their normal session time, not tournament format. 

Relay entries will open this week for the gala in May.  Please complete the details on the appropriate form if you'd like to enter a relay.  Have a look at the Gala information Relay page to see which one is which.  Remember that there are 2 similar races - the Tadpole relay is the one for younger swimmers under age 7 on 31/12/2009, the Frog relay is for swimmers aged 10 or under on 31/12/2009.

New 5 February 

All families will be receiving a letter over the next few days or sessions.  If you haven't yet received one, please ask at the desk on Thursday. 

We'll be opening a competition this week for designing the front cover of the galal programme.  See the flyers on the reception desk for details.  Closing date is 16 April.

Info for swimmers in the Teaching Pool or who have just moved into the Main Pool or who move up between now and the closure of gala entry - we have a Special Race in the gala, just one length of the main pool, for swimmers who fit that criteria, and who are capable of swimming a length without undue stress.  The Teachers will advise you if they would like your child to enter this race, as it is a 'selection' event.  Please remember that if a swimmer is entered into the Special Race, they may NOT enter other races (except the relays).

Talking of the relays, the entry for these will open in late March.  Entry for the relays is on a written form, which will be available at the desk on a Thursday.  Have a look at the relay rules page to see how they all work. 

**NEW** There will be a new Bay relay this year - 4 x 50m freestyle - Bay Captains and Vice Captains can select any two girls and any two boys - any age, any order but all must be from their own Bay.  We're expecting this to be very exciting and will be putting in a new sparkly trophy for this event.

Darren Gambrill, Tony Taylor and Sue White - or any combination of the three! - are usually around for the 9.00 group and will mentor the Bay Captains and Vice Captains for whatever they need - please just ask - don't struggle with something if you're not sure. 

Gala entry closes for all events at 10pm on Thursday 16 April - late entries will not be accepted.

New 4 February

 We're lucky enough to have been offered �400 from Thanet School Sports Partnership, as a result of the club reps that we have in schools across Thanet.  The money is to be spent on promoting the club and attracting new members but we are looking to promote water polo and synchro with the help of some contacts.  Watch this space for more details!

We again need a new cage for the equipment on poolside - these cost us a lot and we've been disappointed with the quality of the last couple.  We're looking for a parent or carer who may be able to talk to us about building one to order - if you think that might be you or someone that you know, please talk to one of the Committee members in reception see the Who's Who page for some updated photos. 

You might have noticed that we've changed from Levels to Stages.  The asa (they are in small letters, these days) are willing to take back our stock but we wanted you to have the opportunity to buy any badges that you've missed along the way, provided that you've achieved them!  Please speak to anyone on the Committee in reception about getting hold of an elusive badges!

The gala is on May 16th, and we are already looking at ways to fund raise.  The gala and presentation evening typically cost around �1,200 - that's a lot of �9 subs!  We will be looking to approach local businesses and contacts as usual, but we will also be inviting parents and carers to support us a bit more this year.  Look out for an opportunity in the coming weeks, maybe to either donate a raffle prize, or to sponsor a race for just �5.  We really appreciate our sponsors, so that we can get the best value from the donations and subs.  To demonstrate the costs we have, our pool fees will increase by �800 per year from April, hence the plea for a bit of help - we won't be passing this increase on to the members in the short term, but will review it early 2010, unless something disastrous happens.

As always, we would like a few volunteers to be available on the evening of the gala, maybe to help sort out raffle prizes, take money on the door, sell programmes or something - please contact us if you would like to help - broadstairsswim@tesco.net - please copy this into your message as the link won't work.

New 23 January

If you have a child or children on the waiting list, please see the updated page.  We've also introduced a new policy about keeping in touch about tryouts - so check the page if this might apply to you.

New 20 January

 Check out the new Strokes page to see what we work towards for each stroke.

We need the 8.15 group swimmers to bring a soup spoon this Thursday 22 January - we won't be bringing spares for people who forget.

There is a Committee meeting on 4 Feb, so if you have any issues that you would like to bring to our attention, please either speak to a Committee member (see the Who's Who page), write us a letter and give it to a Committee member or contact us on the email - broadstairsswim@sky.com

New 10 January 2009

Welcome back to everyone after the seasonal break.  We've welcomed 4 swimmers into the Main Pool from the Teaching Pool.  The Main Pool is running at full capacity at the moment, with up to 100 swimmers in two and a half hours - phew!

The Club gala is booked for 16 May at Hartsdown - please note the change of date.  Entry is now open and will close on 16 April.  Early entries appreciated.  Click here Gala Entry 09 to submit your entry.  Remember that some races will be 25m, 50m or 100m depending your age, and also the butterfly and medley races are for age 13 and over.  Feel free to print it before you send so that you can check the programme and refresh your memory as the gala gets closer!

We're going to book another synchro evening with those fantastic ladies from Hythe Aqua and also run a water polo evening, with or without a tournament.  We may even have some special guests to give the 9.00 group something to think about!

A special request - we'd like the 9.00 group to bring a soup spoon with them next Thurs 15 Jan.  There's something we'd like to try and it promises to be good fun if we've got enough spoons .....

We've recently been asked about our complaints procedure.  If you wish to make a written complaint, please enclose it in a sealed envelope and address it to the Club Secretary, Paul Highsted.  If Paul isn't there, please hand it in to either the Treasurer, or one of the Committee, whose pictures are on the Who's Who page. 

There will be NO swimming on Thurs 25 December (obviously!) and 1 January 2009.  We return on 8 January 2009 at normal times.

The gala is booked for SATURDAY 9 MAY 2009  at Hartsdown Pool, Margate, warm up at 6.30pm.  Likely finish time is about 9.30pm-ish.  We will continue with the standard events but might add another relay just to keep the excitement level high! Entry will open in early April so look out for the online entry on the website and there will be some paper forms, too but we are trying to keep them to a minimum.

Presentation Evening is booked for Friday 12 June 2009 at the Broadstairs Pavilion.  We have ordered a fine, sunny evening to encourage you to bring guests to enjoy the evening!

Please remember that the gala and Presentation Evening are organised by about 6 people, who sort out entries, races, officials, medals, trophies, paperwork, stopwatches, volunteers, results, raffle prizes, posters, & all sorts of other things that you might not notice!  The Gala Committee have already started working on the event some 6 months ahead of time, and volunteers are always welcome.  Please see Emma Kemp in reception if you can help.

Here's some good news amidst a lot of gloom at the moment!  We have a couple of swimmers who have come to us from a competitive club via another lesson provider.  The swimmers have again been taught by their original teacher, about a year or so down the line.  She commented that she was impressed that they had maintained the quality of their strokes and are efficient swimmers.  We've taken that as a huge compliment, as we only have 40 minutes per week per session, and it's great to have some good feedback from a respected teacher.

You might have noticed that we have been short of teachers for the last few weeks so any offers of help to clear up at the end of the evening is very welcome, as the teachers have been poolside for a couple of hours by then and need all the help they can get!  Please don't wait to be asked, just come out on poolside at about 9.30 to help pack up.  Thanks. 

A big thank you is due to Lisa Andrews, who will be stepping in during the run up to Christmas to teach in the small pool - thanks, Lisa.

For those parents who pay by cheque, we are encouraging payment at the beginning of December for that month and for January.  This makes life easier for us (less trips to the bank) and hopefully easier for you, as it will be one less bill to pay in the new year!

We'd be delighted to hear from you if you have taken the skills that you have learnt with us, to another event, ie a Scouts' or Guides gala, or Rookies - email us with your story or catch us when we've got a minute on Thursday.

Talking of success the Masters went to Gillingham a couple of weeks ago for the Medway Masters.  With a very small team of Darren Gambrill, Ian Cockerell, Bryan May and Simon Turner, and no female swimmers due to injury or work commitments, the boys gained a creditable 61 points and came 11th.  Well done!  Our training partners, Dover Lifeguards, propped us up in the table, coming 12th.

If you are a Masters swimmer (age 25+) and just want a short term target to aim for, the asa have put out the details of the 2009 T30 swim.  This is where you swim for 30 mins, with someone counting your lengths on a formatted sheet.  Just send your sheet in, with £5, and you will get a placing amongst people in your age group and your name on the asa website!  It's a good easy swim if you just want something to get you in the water (maybe a bit of weight loss either side of the festive season!).  Entry starts 1st November and closes 31 January 2009.  Contact us if you would like more details - broadstairsswim@sky.com