Cats, Hats, Sunscreen and Swimming Pools

Ancient Egyptians believed that they could protect themselves from evil spirits by watching their cats. Felines could sense the invisible presence and would react to the threat, warning the living people in the home. Cats can still sense invisible threats. Their senses and their whiskers are more finely attuned to the world around them than yours and mine are.

So, take note when your mouser meows to come in and stretches out on the cool tile floor. He senses the threat of excessive sun and heat and is taking the most sensible action available for a non-swimmer. He came out of the heat and is trying to lower his body temperature. Obviously, you aren't going to spend the rest of your summer lying on the living room floor. Just don't ignore the cat's warning.

Rule #1 - Cover up. When you are outside but you aren't in the pool, cover up with loose, breathable clothing. It might seem odd to wear long sleeves in hundred degree temperatures, but the objective is to create a barrier between your skin and solar radiation. Ultraviolet rays pose a danger even on overcast days and through tinted automobile windows.

Rule #2 - Wear a hat. Three of the most painful places to have sunburn are: the part of your hair, your nose, and the back of your neck. A wide-brimmed hat will take care of these three hot spots. Consider it your hands-free parasol. Cloth hats that can be doused in water are not particularly stylish but are practical if you are fighting the double devils of sunburn and heat exhaustion.

Rule #3 - Apply sunscreen. I know you have heard this before, but it bears repeating. Apply early and often. Try to put sunscreen on 20 minutes before going outside to let it absorb into your skin before you sweat it off. Reapply every hour or so. Choose a sunscreen with a UV physical barrier such as zinc and use it even if you don't plan on being out very long. Plans change. Skin burns. Cancer gains a foothold.

Rule #4 - Drink lots of water. You are approximately 57% water by weight. If you let that percentage drop, your organs will not function as well. Dehydration doesn't just impair your judgment and make you dizzy; it can be a serious health risk. Of course, drinking water will also help you manage your weight and beautify your skin.

Rule #5 - Jump in the pool. It was 104 at 10:30 the other night and the pool water was in the 90's. We took the Solar-Breeze robotic pool skimmer out of the pool and jumped right in. That 10 degree temperature gradient made all the difference! Daytime or nighttime, a dip in the pool goes a long way to lowering your body temperature. A cool tile floor is to cats what a clean pool is to people. With a solar powered skimmer, it is clean and swim-ready 24/7.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, but safely. Even though Labor Day is practically upon us there's a lot of sun and a lot of pool-time left.

By Karen Rogers Sim

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Swimming Professionals - Essential Image Tips

The most important factor in dressing professionally

Potential clients you meet will automatically accept you as a swimming professional if you are dressed correctly. The first step in gaining a credible and professional image for a swimming professional is realizing that you can control the opinions of others, especially concerning what they think you are capable of.

Everyday, dress and act in a way that gives others a great experience of you. Now I have many friends in the swimming industry that disagree with me here and feel that wet swimmers, dripping hair, thongs and a raggedy old towel or sarong is acceptable to their clientele for our "profession".

However, I will totally disagree; perhaps 20 - 30 years ago, we could get away with it, but in this day and age, a level of professionalism is required, whether we are on pool deck or in the swimming pool, like it or not, if we do not create a great impression, then our competitors will.

As swimming school owner, swimming school managers or coordinators, even swimming teachers have to portrait a better image for desired results. Dressing the part is not shallow, vain or phony. You aren't conning people, simply setting and emotional and physical climate to impress.

Ask yourself what are the characteristic associated with the image, you want to project to future clients? The initial impression, you make on other people, comes from 55% Visual, 38% Vocal and 7% Verbal. So here are a few tips, I have put together from my experiences.

Subliminal impressions

The impression you make on others can be broken down into 4 basic components. Each is judge subliminally and by degrees. Not only will you be judged as trustworthy or not, but how trustworthy, you appear to be we'll also be determined. To a parent who is enrolling their children into swimming lesson with you, you must look trustworthy and capable. Their children are their most treasured and valued possession they own.

1. Your credibility

You may have had the luxury of a referral or a good reputation preceding your first meeting with your future clients however your level of believability, apparent qualifications,even intelligence, competence, trustworthiness, honesty and sincerity will be judged within the first 5 to 7 seconds.

2. Your likability

This is why a big smile and a great positive energy are so important to a professional swimming teacher. How likeable, endearing, emotionally, expressive and sociable your appear to be, is important. If you can establish rapport quickly, you future clients, will feel more comfortable. Through your dress, behavior, voice, tonality, seniority and experience, nationality, age, sex all makes a difference to how you are perceived. The day of being a anti-social gruff swimming coach is over. Parents or future students want to see social skills and likability.

3. Your personal attractiveness

It is important for us to present ourselves as the best we can be. I am not talking about how beautiful, slim, young or fashionable you are, but how well you manage and present yourself. Great grooming, posture and dress sense, says much about your level of self-esteem, self-respect and confidence.

By taking the time to dress in a smart polo shirt, tailored shorts and suitable footwear creates the professional appearance of your trade. If you are between sessions, instead of dripping wet with a towel around you, invest in a thick towelling white dressing gown, have it embroidered "specialist swim instructor" on the back, with your name on the front. Impressive and professional.

4. Your confidence.

If you are brimming with positive, warm, energy, it will be felt especially by young children. Again your perceived level of power, ability, personal sureness and authority comes from your appearance and carriage. So pull those shoulder back and walk tall.

Do you know what you look like through the eyes of others?

When building a successful image, let's determine what your current image really is. We all have a current image and the challenge is to develop and accurate picture of yourself as perceived by others. Have someone take several pictures of you during your normal working day, arriving to work, in the pool, behind the counter, leaving after work, all the situations where your clientele see you. I certainly remember, being shocked, when I had a critical look at myself in my work environment, many years ago.

When I was concentrating and studying a students stroke, I was actually frowning and looked very stern on pool deck. I am a very casual bubbly swim teacher so my "visual perception on pool deck" to prospective clients was terrible and quiet the opposite of my actual teaching style. So i had to make a change.

Now where can you improve?

Professional image killers

When dealing with a new parent or children these are definitely things to avoid.
    * Commencing anything with and apology.
    * A wimpy handshake or voice.
    * Being late.
    * Turning up unprepared and muddled.
    * Closed body language.
    * Forgetting names.
    * Ignoring both children and studies until the lesson starts.

As swimming professionals, we should already know the following, however I am going to include them in this articles as gentle reminders, as I often see these mistakes at swim centers' I visit.

Body Language

Swimming Teachers should be aware of the messages that our body conveys. They should also rely on vocal variety, posture and facial expressions. Avoid nervous habits such as clearing your throat, sniffing your nose, holding your hand in front of your face while talking or touching your hair constantly.

Stand up straight

Especially when teaching students be well grounded. Stand with your weight equally on both feet. This will eliminate shifting of the body and fatigue and will make you look more energized. Don't lean on the pool edge or sit down. You lose 50% of your power when you show others, that you need assistance to remain upright.

Always smile

Use open large gestures whenever possible to relax those you are talking too. Appear open, honest and communicable and never stop smiling, even when things aren't going your way. Know what your face says. It is the most controllable non-verbal cue and it also is the one people rely on most to gauge your attitude, feelings and emotional state. Learn to smile with your eyes especially with children. They feel your joy. If you frown when you concentrating, it's not a good look, use your mirror and learn to change.

Vocal Impact and Speak clearly

Speak with clarity, there is an old saying "Brevity is power", so don't talk too much. Articulate and pronounce your words well, peak using a wide pitch range and varying your rate accordingly.

Always be the best example.

Unfortunately proper etiquette and respect is not always taught to children of today, so we as aquatic professionals should always be trying to set the example. Getting along with others, demonstrating good manners and pleasantries should be exemplary. At all times, we should be showing and earning the respect of our students, not in a patronizing way, but out of genuine respect, care and thoughtfulness for others. You never know how impactful you as a teacher can be.

I always had a saying "The pool has eyes! " meaning we should always be consistent however if we are growing to do something slightly unsavory, it should done behind closed doors, away from the prying eyes of others .i.e. Smoking.

Here's to you, the professional swimming instructor creating that perfect professional image and increasing your business reputation and credibility. If you know someone who could use this knowledge, please with my blessing pass it on. Who knows wouldn't it be wonderful to have more "masters swim teachers" over the next few years. This has been Kerre Burley from the Next Generation Aquatic's for the Masters of the Aquatic Industry online Internet membership.

http://www.kerreburley.com/NextGenerationAquatics.html

Discover the secrets of becoming a master swim instructor, teacher or trainer with Next Generation Aquatics and Kerre Burley. Sign up for Next Generation's "Masters of the Aquatic Industry" newsletter or unique online membership.

Visit the website and be delighted with the innovative and creative resources now available for Swimming Instructors teachers and coaches, from around the world, wishing to improve their teaching abilities and standing in the aquatic industry. Plenty of free content and opportunities for professional development.

By K Burley

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Swimwear For Toddlers

Many health professionals and doctors now agree that infants as young as 1 month can be taken to the pool. They also say that initiating children early on to water can be beneficial to them learning to swim. So now you can have fun with your young children in the pool and also have fun choosing the right swimwear for them. Most retailers sell swimwear for toddlers beginning from the age of 3 to 12 months. It is rather difficult to find swimwear for newborns who are less than 3 months.

This may not pose a problem for most parents, as the natural consensus is that children as young as that would be far better swimming without any clothes on. There are many choices of swimwear for children and one of them is swim diapers. This is especially ideal for parents who are worried about 'accidents' that might happen in the pool. Although chlorination of the pool water would take care of any side effects of any 'accidents', parents are still unsure of the consequences. This was especially true if their infants had an 'accident' that was solid waste in nature.

Parents were embarrassed that this might happen and thus refrained from taking their infants to the pool. Thus, swim diapers were introduced. These are cotton cloth lined and are made with a polyurethane material. These diapers can be machine washed and dry-able and put the parents' minds at ease in case their infants were to 'go' in the pool. These diapers can be bought from online retailers or from most stores. There are also flotation devices that help keep children afloat and among these is the popular, 'water wings'. They fit on the arms and help to keep your child afloat. In this way, they can play in the water and splash around having fun.

These are usually not advisable or suitable for infants under 12 months of age. Although there are flotation devices for younger infants, it is recommended that infants of such a young age should be accompanied by their parents at all times. Other options are trunks and swimsuits for children. These types of swimwear are typically full body suits and are similar to the ones worn by adults and older children. In addition, you can also find wetsuits and for the girls, there is the ever popular one or two-piece swimsuits.

You can also buy UV swimwear. These types of swimwear are made with specialized fabric materials that offer UV protection. Another essential for toddlers is to ensure that if the pool is an outside pool, that hats are worn to cover the fact, neck and ears. Cancer can be caused by over-exposure to the sun's rays and one of the ways to avoid this exposure is to be cautious and wear protective clothing. One thing that should never be overlooked is the importance of sunscreen. Since infants' skin is extremely sensitive, sunscreen must be applied to avoid any incidents of sunburn. With all of these in mind and a wide selection of swimwear for toddlers now available, you and your toddler should have no trouble having a fun time at the pool.

By Indy M

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Swimming Programs Innovation - Music in Your Swimming Lessons!

A few years ago, I attended a presentation from a swim school owner from Japan, and was amazed at the innovations, they were using in their children's swim program. By implementing music and musical themes into their professional swimming classes, their results were staggering.

I remember quite vividly, my successful experimentation with music at our swim schools for our younger children. To this day, one of the most memorial "mother and baby classes" I ever participated in, was using the soundtrack of "The Lion King" as background music. It created a most incredible vibe.

Not too long later, at another overseas conference, a Mexican swim school reported similar astounding benefits and more successes from their programs involving music and musical themes. On returning back to Australia. I had to wonder, where are our innovative swim schools in our beloved Aquatic industry gone? Thirty years ago, we were leading the world trends on learn to swim and swimming development; now I seem to be travelling the world in search of new aquatic ideas and swimming materials.

Now, not everyone in Australia follows the same old patterns, but it is very rarely, I see swim schools or an aquatic center, that are willing to experiment or implement something new into their swimming program. Music in a learn to swim program is such a simple thing. Yet there are not many doing it.

Why, there are several swim schools in Brisbane, who have installed underwater speakers but don't use them during their classes? I wonder why? Yes, I will admit in a commercial pool setting, it can be noisy, but isn't it as easy as adjusting volume to have background music at the very least for the smaller children.

At our aquatic centres and swim schools, we used to play old time music 60's and 70's, first thing in the morning for our regular lap swimmers, nursery songs and fun children's music for our morning learn to swim sessions, classical relaxing music during the day for our oldies.

in the afternoon sessions it was just background music until the aqua music got everyone bopping. At any of our fun days, dive in movies or pool discos, we would crank the music up and just let everybody have fun.

The music had a definite purpose. I always had an understanding of the power of music and the invisible vibe it created. Often our clients would say, other swimming pools, just seemed dead or flat and not the same as our center. (It's all in the vibe)

So let's get back to the benefits of implementing music into your professional swimming programs and why I would highly recommend it? There is so much research out there, that I recommend all swimming professionals, do their due diligence but for now let's just stick to the basics.

Music helps small children with patterning, timing and sequencing skills, is scientifically proven to develop temporal awareness skills and much much more. Why aren't more swimming schools using it? Isn't that beneficial to our swimming development in all ages?

Let's look at other benefits: Music also assist children with listening skills, communication and social interaction. It can really enrich the aquatic experience, help children to relax or stimulate or enthuse a child and of course my favorite, music can create the right (invisible) vibe, the right energy for a master swim teacher, a swim school or a successful swimming program. If you don't believe me, just check out your parent's feet, once the aquarobics starts up. (That is, of course if your aqua teacher understands the power of great music)

According to Monica Anzueto (Mexico)

"Many swim programs around the world use children songs in baby and infant swimming sessions, but this is not music, music involves all senses and brings us the opportunity to respond to it through other sensory channels, we combine swimming and music and call it our magic class".

"All countries have beautiful traditional songs, many instructors have already included them in their baby programs but for the many swimming teachers, who do not feel comfortable with singing, couldn't music be used as the perfect replacement?

Why stop at learn to swim lessons?

"The medical profession in America has been using music interventions for years" Music interventions can be designed to promote wellness, manage stress alleviate pain, express feelings, enhance memory, improve communication and promote physical rehabilitation"

So I say why stop at the swimming lessons, if people are coming to your swimming pool for rehabilitation and relaxation: supplement your swim pool environment with music.

(Word of caution though, if you start implementing more music and musical themes into your program, whether you purchase music or make your own compilations, ensure you contact APRA or your countries similar office for all necessary licensing approval prior to staring.)

In my next "masters of the aquatic industry" newsletter, we will discuss music and it's benefits in more detail.

Discover the secrets of becoming a master swim instructor, swim teacher or master aquatic trainer with Next Generation Aquatics, Kerre Burley. Sign up for Next Generation's "Masters of the Aquatic Industry" newsletter or unique online membership. Visit the website and be delighted with the innovative and creative resources now available for Swimming Instructors teachers and coaches, from around the world, wishing to improve their teaching abilities and standing in the aquatic industry. Plenty of free content and opportunities for professional development. http://www.kerreburley.com/nextgenerationaquatics.html

By K Burley

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