Thursday, November 27, 2014

Christmas Holidays and Fees

Dear Swimmers

Wow! What a weird few days it's been weather-wise - we even got evacuated from Challenge Stadium yesterday thinking it was due to the lightening but discovered there had been a chlorine gas leak! Seeing the lifeguards come running out with full-on gas masks on was slightly disconcerting I have to say! Anyway we escaped unscathed and were well looked after…

As is the norm we will be pausing the squad sessions over the Christmas period for just under 2 weeks to allow everyone a little R&R and time with their families etc. If you don't like to slow down over this period, don't panic either, I have a very-soon-to-be-announced solution which will appeal to you tremendously too! Watch this space.

Down Time

Currently we're looking at the last session being Saturday 20th December (1-2pm open water skills session) and then re-booting on Monday 5th January with the 7-8am technique session. However, I just need to clarify availability with the coaches for Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd December and subject to their availability - and your interest (which you don't need to inform me via email but please let me know casually next Monday / Tuesday in the appropriate squads) - we may run these sessions as well. 

I will keep you posted after next week.

Fees

As mentioned back in June, our lane hire fees were again increased this year by another 10% on the already substantial increase last year of 33%. I mentioned in June that as attendance numbers were looking good for the winter (which they have proven to be), I would hold off increasing PAYG Card and 1-2-1 Video Analysis & Stroke Correction fees and see how things panned out until the end of the 1st quarter as a token of my appreciation for all your support. That quarter has been and gone and with an annual increase of approximately $6k in my lane fee costs this year, I can report that we have covered 80% of the increased costs for this 6 month pro-rata period with your attendance, but I will regrettably have to increase our fees from 1st January 2015 onwards. 

The following fees will be:

  • 10 session card = $150 (or $15 per session) with a 12 week expiry
  • 25 session card = $330 (or $13.20 per session) with a 20 week expiry
  • 50 session card = $590 (or $11.80 per session) with a 25 week expiry
  • Casual Session = $18
  • 121 Video Analysis & Stroke Correction Session (75 minutes) = $219
  • 121 Stroke Correction Follow-Up Session (60 minutes) = $169

Please note currently my first 121 session availability is mid-April 2015 if you were thinking of enquiring on a session. All swimmers currently booked in for a 121 session will be sent a separate email offering them the 2013/14 prices if payment is made prior to 1st January 2015.

Thanks for your understanding and support on these matters. I've held off increasing our fees for 18 months but inevitably we have had to make this adjustment owing to the increased lane fees at the pool. They tell me it's a "fact of business" but it has to be my least favourite thing to do! Sorry.

Paul




Friday, November 21, 2014

Proudest day of my life...well, after the birth of Jackson and Isla of course!

Dear Swimmers

I am so excited to let you know that today we announced a long-term partnership with the International Triathlon Union (the ITU) - the world's governing body for the Olympic sport of triathlon. Swim Smooth have been selected to be the ITU's official coaching partner to help educate and train up their fleet of affiliated coaches from 119 countries around the world!

It's almost precisely 10 years to the day since I founded Swim Smooth right here in sunny Perth and now all the great coaching that you receive on a day-2-day basis at Claremont Swimming Pool will now be accessible to swimmers and triathletes all around the world. I am so proud I'm just bursting (sorry for the big head!).

I would like to add in a special thanks to all of you whom have supported me over the years, through 1-2-1 sessions, attending the squads and just being the great people that you are. I love my career and wouldn't rather be doing anything else in any other sector for any amount of mullah!

Without what we do here in Perth day-in/day-out none of this would be possible, so in your own special way you too are very much part of this partnership too and I cannot thank you enough!

Have a great weekend,

Paul

P.S here's the full announcement: http://www.feelforthewater.com/2014/11/announcing-swim-smooths-partnership.html

Thursday, November 20, 2014

CSS Results - Better Late Than Never!

Dear Swimmers

Sincerest apologies for the lengthy wait for these CSS results from a few weeks ago (eek!) - sorry!

Ranked alphabetically:


Ranked by CSS:


I haven't linked in / compared with our last set of results in July, but you can reference them here:


…and the entire back-list of archival results here:


Well done to the 132 of you who participated and sincere thanks for your patience at what has been a monumentally busy time for me (nearly at the end of that tunnel!)

Cheers

Paul




Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Don't be down-hearted if you didn't get into Rotto...

Dear Swimmers

It's been a week of contrasts - from the high-highs of those who successfully secured a place for a Rottnest Duo or Team or who have registered to complete their very first Solo swim, to the low-lows of those who sadly missed out in the ballot. However, fret not! You might have never thought about attempting a 5k or 10k ocean swim and now could be the perfect opportunity to set your goals on one of these events instead!

The full 2014/15 open water series calendar can be found at http://www.mswa.asn.au/Events/-HBF-2014-15-OWS-Calendar

…a really cool event in it's second year is the 7km point-to-point swim from Leighton Beach to Swanbourne on the 11th January. These events and others can be entered here http://swimsmoothperth.blogspot.com.au/2014/11/4-for-3-deal-on-ows-series-races.html and advantage of the 4 for 3 deal offered by Swimming WA.

So why not target something a little different this season and who knows, it could be your stepping-stone to a full solo crossing of the Rottnest Channel in February 2016 where you'd be guaranteed an entry at least!

See you out there!

Paul

PS super sorry for the delays in getting the CSS results from a few weeks ago out to you all - having my parents over and also a big coaching project with a major governing body that we're due to announce later next week has meant I've been side-tracked on this. Very sorry! Most of you who were interested in knowing the results have already got their info from me direct on the pool deck and those who haven't have been "happy" to attempt the newly updated lane times. All being well I should get these completed tomorrow. Massive thanks for your patience!



Wednesday, November 5, 2014

Kalbarri - you've got to go if you never have!


Nature's Window, Kalbarri National Park

**JUST BECOME AVAILABLE** I have a coveted 1-2-1 Video Analysis session that's become available at 8am next Wednesday 12th November. Cost is $189 and available to the first applicant. Be quick though, as future bookings are being taken from the 3rd week in February currently.

Dear Swimmers

Please excuse me whilst I indulge my photo hobby with you - we've just had a wonderful 4 nights stay at the Kalbarri Beach Resort and I am hoping some of you will like to see the photos if you've never been before!

The resort even had a 25m 2-lane outdoor pool at a perfect 27ÂșC which I used to smash out several 5k "Red Mist" sets too whilst I was there, and the Murchison River was awesome for a couple of open water swims too. We loved it so much we're off back for Christmas for 6 nights with Michelle's parents - I can't wait!


A quick dip in Moore River on the way up!


Just hanging out!


Such beauty!


He-Men!


Waiting for the Pelicans, 8.45am (precisely)


Feeding time!


Au Revoir!


View from the hill!


Wallaroo...can you see him? Jackson spotted him!


No one mentioned the crocs!


My new favourite pool - the kids LOVED it!


Mother Smooth and Papa Smooth at The Pinnacles


Acrobats at Sunset!


Check out Isla's splits!


Jackson didn't want to go home!


Blue Holes! Amazing!


Getting all zinced up for the sun!


The owners of the great Finlay's Fish BBQ gave Isla a wig which she then never removed all holiday!


The view to Kalbarri


Island Rock


How we started every morning...a ride along the coast!



Tuesday, November 4, 2014

4 for 3 deal on OWS series races, exclusive to the Perth Swim Smooth Squad!


Dear swimmers

Please be advised that Swimming WA and the Perth Swim Smooth Squad have joined forces to bring you a great deal if you plan to compete in multiple Open Water Series races this season. Simply enter:

  • City Beach on 16/11/14
  • Champion Lakes on 14/12/14
  • Point to Point on 11/1/15
...and your application will be flagged to receive a free entry to the Sorrento event on 26/1/15 - every little helps, right?!

To take advantage of this great offer, simply sign up for those 3 events at http://www.openwaterswimming.com.au and the IT boffins will do the rest!

P.S don't delay if you're planning to enter City Beach, as Cottesloe last Sunday was a sell-out with 550 entries!!

Cheers

Paul


Monday, November 3, 2014

More Room At The Inn Kindly Requested

Dear swimmers

I've had a great stay in Kalbarri - such an amazing place - and will be back on pool deck tomorrow morning (Tuesday, 530am).

One of our studying coaches from Hong Kong (Fenella Ng, female) will be arriving on the morning of Monday 21st November and leaving to watch the Ironman in Busselton on 5th December. She's kindly seeking a homestay relatively close to the pool whilst she visits and wonder if you could help out? If so, please drop me a return email. Any help / suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Fenella was on our last coaches course in Oxfordshire back in July.

Many thanks

Paul