Different Strokes Swimming Newsletter October 17th

I hope you’re feeling as ecstatic as I am about our lives returning to some form of normality. The new life of living with COVID. The lifting of the 5km travel restriction and the ability for swimmers to get to the water, has made an enormous difference for many. Indoor pools reopening this week has just further enhanced the mood of the swimming community. 

Unfortunately, we have to wait a little longer for our classes to recommence in the City of Sydney pools and at Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre. At this stage it looks like December for classes at Prince Alfred Park Pool, Victoria Park Pool and Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre. We’re hoping to get into Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre a little earlier at the end of this month (this is yet to be reconfirmed). All the details are further down in the newsletter.

In exciting news we are starting classes at Rockdale from next weekend. Yes, we are expanding into the Bayside suburbs. If you’re at the Beginner, Beginner 1 or at the Stroke Foundation level, jump on to MindBody and book into these classes. We’ll be opening up the Stroke Development classes for stroke correction in the coming weeks, so watch this space. For more information read on below.

As we roll out our classes over the next couple of months we will reinstating our COVID Safety plan, including teaching from the pool deck, maintaining the 1.5m distance and the cleaning practises we integrated into our operations last year.

I was very fortunate recently to catch – up with the lovely Lorraine Poulos, one of our regular swimmers from Prince Alfred Park Pool. We chatted about all things swimming. You’ll find the link to our conversation in this newsletter. Fix yourself a cup of tea, get comfortable, settle down and take a look.

It’s not long now. We’ll have you back in the water before you know it.

I really look forward to seeing you all very soon.

As always, yours in swimming, 

Kari Baynes
Director 

Photo: Me, swimming at Dawn Fraser Baths PC: Sinclair Croft 

While we prepare ourselves for an eventual return to classes, we have a few updates and announcements to share with you, plus an updated COVID Safety plan detailed below. 

Most importantly, we’re expecting that the spring/summer season will be extremely busy for both the pools and our classes. With this in mind, if you’re keen to grab a spot in our classes before Christmas, please get in touch with us ASAP so that we can book a spot for you, or book into a class online before they fill up! 

Class Locations
In super exciting news, we’re launching classes in Rockdale from Saturday the 23rd of October! Read on for more details further down in the newsletter. 

At the moment, we are taking private lesson bookings and group classes for Beginners, Beginner 1 and Stroke Foundations at Rockdale.

We will be returning to Prince Alfred Park Pool, Victoria Park Pool, Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre from Wednesday, 1st December and the Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre from 30th October subject to confirmation by pool management.

Teachers
Sadly, post-lockdown we’re saying goodbye to two of our amazing teachers Shayne and Pat. We’re very sad to see them go and know many of you will miss them.

In happier news, Rachelle will be returning, taking her Friday night classes again at Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre from 3rd December. We know many of our clients at Ian Thorpe will be very pleased to see her.

Payment Changes
In light of the COVID-19 situation that we have been in for the past two years, we will be moving all our packs to an autopay-based system for class payments. This will be better for many of you, as it will be smaller, regular weekly payments. It will also allow us to turn payments off should we encounter another lockdown. 

The class packs will still available for the next few weeks. If you wish to purchase a pack, contact us directly or go online to the MindBody website/app. We will continue to provide details of the changeover well before it comes into effect.

Please note: never send us credit card details through email, SMS or any unsecured communication. The best way to organise payment is to fill in payment details online at MindBody so that they are fully secure. Or if you prefer, call the office. 

If you’re keen to book classes or have any questions about what the upcoming season might look like for you, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! You can send a quick inquiry email by clicking the link below, and we’ll be happy to help with any questions you have. 

Photo: Classes running at Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre. PC: Kari Baynes

Currently it is a requirement for all patrons at aquatic facilities to produce their COVID vaccination certificate to gain entry on each occasion. You must also wear a mask when indoors and through the reception at each pool location.  

We’re delighted to inform you our entire team is fully vaccinated. 

Below, you will find a overview of the steps we will be taking upon our return to classes and what you need to do before joining a class:

• Please do not come to the pool or classes if you have tested positive to COVID -19, or someone in your household has tested positive to COVID-19.
• Please do not come to the pool or classes if you’re suffering any COVID-19 related symptoms.
• We urge you to maintain 1.5m physical distance at all times in the facility and in the water. You will be given an allocated space in the lane for your class, and we ask you as much as possible to stick to it. 
• Once again, we will be adopting ‘contactless teaching’ which means your instructor will be out of the water, teaching from pool deck. If you are an absolute beginner and require your instructor to be in the water with you, you must be fully vaccinated (post 1st December).  
• When you attend class you will be issued with a set of numbered equipment to be used during the class. Please don’t share equipment.
• Equipment will be cleaned by your instructor between classes. 
• We encourage you to arrive at the pool directly before your class with your swimmers on, ready to get in the water.
• We strongly encourage you to shower at home to ease the numbers in the communal facilities. 
• You will be asked by each facility to sign in for Contact Tracing purposes and show your COVID vaccination certificate. Please allow time for this when you arrive.
• Class sizes will be based on NSW Govt restrictions. We expect that this will mean 4 – 6 people per 25m lane. 

There will be more details to follow. We will be updating our COVID – 19 Safety Plan on to the Different Strokes Swimming website along with our COVID Safe Business certification, once we know more. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions by emailing this address.

If you’d be up for having a similar conversation with Kari, please do let us know- we love to hear everyone’s stories. It’s got to be one of the best ways to stay in touch when we can’t be in classes. You can email us here if you’re interested. 

We have some exciting news for our DSS swimmers: starting next weekend on Saturday the 23rd of October we will be running classes at the Rockdale Fitness First indoor 25m pool! They will be running every Saturday and Sunday mornings, with room to grow into afternoon classes on the Saturdays as we need.

Classes will run for the full 45 minutes, with sizes between 4 – 5 people depending on the class level. 

Our instructor, Rachelle along with new teacher, Fiona will be teaching at this location. This pool has a maximum depth of 1.5m, and is perfect for Beginner, Beginner 1 and Stroke Foundations level swimmers!

Please note: the pricing for Rockdale classes also covers the $6 pool entry fee.

If you’re keen to book in and get your swimming back on track, get in touch with our team by either calling the office at 0431 571 161, or clicking the button below to send an email inquiry.

Here are a few ways that you can make bookings with us, either by: 

• Getting in contact with the office by emailing us here or giving us a ring on 0431 571 161.
• Purchasing a class pack or autopay contract through MindBody. 

To book using MindBody: 

1. Click the link above (or this one here).
2. Search for Different Strokes Swimming, and click on the icon.
3. Click on “Create and Account”, enter your details and verify the account you have with us by the email you provided us. Please don’t create a new account! 
4. Follow the prompts to view the Different Strokes Swimming schedule. 

To make payments through MindBody:

1. Go to the online store (following above links), and select services or contracts based on your requirement. 
2. Select “Different Strokes Swimming” and then the appropriate pack or auto payment option from the menu, and proceed to checkout. 

Please remember: never send credit card details through an email or SMS to anyone. Keep your information secure.