Newsletter No. 15

Dear ZOGS SWIM SCHOOL Clients   

I pray that you have all had a wonderful summer season and enjoyed yourself as much as I have.

PLEASE TAKE NOTE OF THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT INFORMATION

ZOGS Swim School DOES NOT CLOSE over the school holidays and we will remain open as per our normal lesson times. If you are not going away, please ensure that you do not miss your lessons and if you are going away, please travel safely.

We have put up our “winter blinds” and can already feel the difference in temperature. We will also be turning up the heat on the pool water and making sure that the children are comfortable and warm.  I kindly ask that no one plays with/touches the plastic blinds as they are very delicate and expensive to repair.

TERM DATES
SUMMER SEASON ENDS 30th APRIL 2015 
WINTER SEASON BEGINS 1st MAY 2015 

HOW IMPORTANT IS WINTER SWIMMING?

I know that the thought of winter swimming makes some parents nervous and they feel that their child may catch colds by continuing to swim throughout winter. Colds and flu, however, are transmitted by casual contact with an infected person, not by exposure to cold air or water.  Children are more likely to catch a cold from playing with their friends and siblings rather than from swimming.  

While summer classes certainly help to build strong swimming and the water safety skills children need, year-round lessons allow them to better retain those skills – and move on to mastering more advanced skills faster. I like to use the analogy of playing an instrument, you

would not expect to take piano for a few months out of the year and be a proficient pianist. Swimming is very much the same. While it may be a typical summertime activity, the more you learn in the winter and the spring, the more prepared you are to be a confident and safe swimmer during summer. Those who do not continue and choose to take a break during the winter months often need to spend time reviewing or relearning skills they had previously mastered. 

Studies have shown that a three month break, for example over winter, will result in a 6 week regression in ones skillset.

Most importantly learning to swim is not only a sport but an important lifesaving skill! Drowning can happen at any time during the year, not just in the spring and summer.  Ensuring that your child is a STRONG swimmer, will give them that extra advantage in the future.

I strongly encourage all swimmers to persevere throughout the year!

CANCELLATION POLICY

As per our policy, we require 30 days’ notice before ending lessons at ZOGS. All children are assumed to be swimming throughout winter unless notice is received. I ask that those who will be not be swimming over the winter period, please mail us before the 5th April to ensure that you are not charged for May.

JEWELLERY

I would like to bring to your attention the increase in jewelry theft in the Northern Suburbs. There seems to be a definite trend, where woman are followed while doing their rounds and are approached while in a drive way for specifically their jewelry. These encounters can be violent and are extremely traumatizing for all involved. I implore that all parents coming to the ZOGS facilities, to please not wear big rings/extravagant jewelry. I hope that you can respect our wishes and grant the children the safety they deserve by leaving your jewelry at home.

All the best and see you next week.

Grant Zoghby
grant@zogs.co.za 
082 334 6973