Seriously FUN Blog by Phillip Madden

We've Moved

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathon Madden) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 13:58:00 +0000

We've moved...

...the Seriously FUN blog now lives here!

Wizzo - Coming Soon to a Venue Near you

noreply@blogger.com (Phillip M) — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 10:13:00 +0000

Jasmine was over the moon (as you can see) to be the first to have her picture taken with Wizzo.

Wizzo (or rather his cardboard cutout look-alike) will be making an appearance at your swimming pool this term.

Take a great pic with Wizzo, post it on our Facebook Page and you'll be entered into a draw to win a FREE holiday swimming course.

European Swimming Championships

noreply@blogger.com (Phillip M) — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 09:25:00 +0000

British swimmers brought home 18 medals from the 2010 European Championships, their best-ever European result, despite travelling to Hungary underprepared and unrested.

Great britain's swimming team is focused on the Commonwealth Games in Delhi due to be held in October, where members of the team will compete for their respective home nations against the might of the Australian team among others.

	Fran Halsall, Jo Jackson, Amy Smith And Jessica Sylvester (Silver)Women's 4X100M Freestyle Relay
	Hannah Miley (Gold) Women's 400M Individual Medley
	Liam Tancock (Bronze) Men's 100M Backstroke
	Lizzie Simmonds (Gold) And Gemma Spofforth (Silver) Women's 200M Backstroke
	Fran Halsall (Gold) Women's 100M Freestyle
	Joe Roebuck (Bronze) Men's 200M Individual Medley
	Hannah Miley (Bronze) Women's 200M Individual Medley
	Gemma Spofforth (Gold) And Lizzie Simmonds (Silver) Women's 100M Backstroke
	Liam Tancock (Silver) Men's 50M Backstroke
	Rebecca Adlington, Jazmin Carlin, Jo Jackson & Hannah Miley (Bronze) Women's 4X200M Freestyle Relay
	Fran Halsall (Silver) Women's 100M Butterfly
	Fran Halsall (Bronze) Women's 50M Freestyle
	Kate Haywood (Silver) Women's 50M Breaststroke
	Ellen Gandy (Bronze) Women's 200M Butterfly
	Rebecca Adlington (Gold) Women's 400M Freestyle
	Fran Halsall, Kate Haywood, Amy Smith & Gemma Spofforth (Gold) Women's 4X100M Medley Relay

Learn the Water Safety Code

noreply@blogger.com (Phillip M) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 22:56:00 +0000

The Water Safety Code

1. Spot the dangers
Be on the look out for potential hazards when you are around water.

2. Take safety advice
Pay attention to any signs or flags which are designed to help keep you safe.

3. Never swim alone
Always take someone with you when you go swimming, even if you are a competent swimmer.

4. Learn how to help
Call the emergency services or notify a lifeguard, never enter the water to rescue anyone.

2010 What's On Winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Phillip M) — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 23:27:00 +0000

Seriously FUN have have been voted Best Local Activity for children aged 5 to 12 in the What's On Awards 2010.

Many thanks to all of our amazing customers and friends who voted for us!

The award is open to all kids activities and Seriously FUN Swimming Schools fought off serious competition to be crowned best of the best for 2010.

Seriously FUN's award winning learn to swim programme is special because it offers continuous development from babies aged 4 months to children aged 16.

Our Baby Swimming lessons cater for little ones aged 4 months to 3 years, Kids Swimming lessons for 3 to 12 years and then graduation to the Seriously FUN Academy Swim Club for serious swimmers aged 12 and over.

What's On Awards 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathon Madden) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 02:30:00 +0000

We need Your vote!

We've been short listed from over 2500 nominations in the 'Best Local Activity for the Under 5s' and 'Best Local Activity for children aged 5 to 12' categories of this year's What's on For Little Ones Awards.

We'd love your vote (as long as you think we deserve it) plus you could win the chance to meet Phil Gallagher from CBEEBIES Mister Maker!

Cast your vote NOW! (closes 30th April 2010)

1. Visit:
www.whatson4littleones.co.uk/awards.asp

2. Scroll down to:
Best Local Activity for the Under 5s

3. Select:
Seriously Fun Swim Babies

4. Scroll down to:
Best Local Activity for children aged 5 to 12

5. Select:
Seriously Fun Swimming Schools

Many thanks, we appreciate it!

Hannah Thears Up the Field

noreply@blogger.com (Phillip M) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 06:43:00 +0000

Congratulations go to Hannah Thear (left) who swims at our St. Piran's Venue for winning the Bronze Medal at the Buckinghamshire Schools Cross Country Championships earlier this month.

Hannah completed her 1.7k run in a fantastic time of 7 minutes and 11 seconds, just missing out on the silver medal by a second.

Hannah also competed in the Buckinghamshire Cross Country Championships on the 20th February. This was only her second time running a 3k course. After an outstanding effort she finished in 8th place against many experienced 3k runners.

Hannah's achievements have been just as impressive in the swimming pool. She has been swimming with Seriously Fun at St. Piran's School, Maidenhead for over four years and has progressed through to the Advanced Class.

NaRS Pool Safety Award Course

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 11:15:00 +0000

Seriously Fun are running a NaRS Pool safety award course on the 11th April 2010, in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

The NaRS Pool Safety Award (National Rescue Standard Pool Safety Award) is a specialist, fit-for-purpose qualification designed specifically to equip teachers with a range of key skills to deal competently with poolside aquatic emergencies.

Award overview:
- Rescue techniques, including spinal injury and aquatic first aid
- Emergency procedures
- Pool hazards and risk assessments
- Operational duties and responsibilities
- Relevant legislation

Entry Requirements:
- Be 16 years of age, or older, at the time of the examination
- Be involved with either teaching, assisting or supervising swimming or pool activities

Book your place on the NaRS Pool Safety Course today!

STA Baby Swimming Teacher Course

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 10:44:00 +0000

Would you like to teach babies to swim and be safe around water?

Seriously Fun are holding an STA Level 2 Baby and Pre-School teachers course from the 13th to 15th April 2010 in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

STA Baby and Pre-school instructors are qualified in the special skills required to introduce babies and very young children to aquatic activities.

You can help a child learn safe behaviour routines, under water swimming and essential water safety skills.

Teaching babies to swim is incredibly fun and rewarding, get yourself on a Baby Swim Teaching course today!

STA Swimming Teacher Courses

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:03:00 +0000

Do you enjoy swimming and feel brave enough to become a swimming teacher?

Seriously Fun are holding an STA Full Swimming Teacher Course from the 5th to 11th April 2010, in High Wycombe.

Teaching babies, children or adults to swim is such a rewarding job, knowing that you have passed on a life saving skill. Another big plus to becoming a swimming teacher is that most swim schools will run on a term time basis so you have the flexibility to work around your own lives and routines.

Have a Seriously Fun Pancake Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 11:37:00 +0000

Pancake Day is here again, so why not add a little bit of serious fun to your Pancakes.

Yesterday afternoon the seriously fun team decided to make some seriously fun pancakes in the shape of our team mascot, Wizzo the starfish. Don't panic, apart from a few dropped pancakes it went very well and tasted even better!

Now here's the challenge:
We want to see who can make the best look alike Wizzo pancake. So before you tuck in, take a quick picture and email it to hayley@seriouslyfun.com so we can chose a winner.

Check out these some sneaky tips on how to make star shaped pancakes.

Have a safe and Seriously FUN pancake day!

Christmas Party 2009 Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:16:00 +0000

Go to our Facebook page to check out what the Seriously Fun team got up to at our 2009 Christmas party! Let's see who can make the funniest comment "catch phrase" to match our photos of our Seriously fun party divas.

Teachers take the plunge

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:09:00 +0000

At long last the children at Seriously Fun are going to get the chance to see some of their swimming teachers in action!

Not only are the teachers going to be swimming, but they're going to be swimming a mile for charity in various open water locations around the UK including the very cold and murky River Thames.

Lianne Allen, Hayley Stamp and Phillip Madden of Seriously Fun will be taking the plunge at the Great London Swim in the River Thames on July 3rd 2010.

We fully expect to see all of you down at the start line with Seriously Fun banners, t-shirts and anything else you can make. There will be a prize for the biggest and most colourful Seriously Fun banner! The events will be televised, so even if you can’t get down to the waters edge to cheer us on then you can still support us from the comfort of your sofa.

Please support the Seriously Fun swim team on our Just Giving Page and making a donation, every penny helps!

Become our fan on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest updates on our training!

January's FREE Crash course WINNER

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:29:00 +0000

Congratulations to Gary Voice who has won himself a FREE crash course simply by signing up as our fan on Facebook during January. It really is that simple. All you have to do is become a fan of Seriously Fun on Facebook and every month we pick a winner for a FREE holiday crash course. So why not log on now and become our friend and you could be February's winner!

Konfidence Swim Jacket

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:46:00 +0000

If you're kids are learning to swim or you're looking for peace of mind on holiday then take a look at the Original Konfidence Float Jacket.

The Konfidence Swim Jacket is designed specifically to help children learn to swim and gain confidence in the water.

These swim vests for kids to adults feature removable floats to adjust the buoyancy of the swim jacket as the swimmer becomes more confident in the water.

The Konfidence Jacket promotes correct swimming position and helps both children and adults achieve a face forward position while swimming.

Water Noodles

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 15:40:00 +0000

Water noodles, swim noodles or pool noodles are a flexible, fun, foam water toy and exercise float that has unlimited uses.

Water noodles can be used for floating, splashing, making waves, water exercising, or riding like a seahorse.

Foam noodle floats are ideal as floating and buoyancy devices, for rehabilitation and therapy exercises.

Large pool noodles are great for kids water play and other outdoor activities such as birthday parties.

The SwimFin Back Float

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:32:00 +0000

Looking for a new learn to swim aid that's fun and actually works? The new SwimFin is a

revolutionary swimming aid that's worn on the back and is great for beginners and swimmers.

SwimFin is the first truly new development in swimming aids for decades. The SwimFin back float does not restrict the ability to move in the water.

SwimFin is a flotation device that provides as much buoyancy as the swimmer needs and helps maintain good body position.

If the body is low in the water, the SwimFin swimming aid provides more support, ideal for beginners. The higher you are in the water the less support SwimFin provides, great for improvers.

Ear Band-It Swimmers Ear Protection

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:59:00 +0000

If you or your child are having problems with gromets or want to keep the water out of your ears then the Ear Band-It original ear band for swimming is just what you're looking for.

The Ear Band-It is the original swimmer's headband, designed to hold ear plugs in while engaging in water activities.

Recommended by doctors worldwide, the comfortable neoprene swimming ear band with Velcro protects ears for swimming.

The original swimmer's headband, designed to hold ear plugs or ear moulds in place while engaging in water activities.

Extra durable neoprene with adjustable Velcro type closure. The Ear Band It unique design offers ultimate comfort and protection for the ears.

Splash About Swim Nappy

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:44:00 +0000

We've found a great piece of kit for Mum's who take their little ones baby swimming, the Splash About Happy Nappy is the essential baby swimming nappy.

This revolutionary new SplashAbout Swim Nappy Cover is so simple and so effective, has no ties, no Velcro, no elastic and it's environmentally friendly being washable and reusable.

These neoprene swim nappies for babies and toddlers are made of supple, stretchy neoprene and finished with super soft, snug fitting, deep bands of fabric around the waist and legs that ensure everything is kept inside.

We think you'll love em!

Haiti Earthquake Appeal

noreply@blogger.com (Jonathon Madden) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:38:00 +0000

A devastating earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck Haiti on 12 January 2010, killing hundreds and affecting thousands more.

Please give what you can today to help thousands of people in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.

Swimming Lessons Resume

noreply@blogger.com (Phillip M) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 12:46:00 +0000

Luckily there's been no significant snow fall over the weekend so lessons will run as normal at all venues from Monday 11th January.

Please take extra care in your cars and on foot as roads and paths are still a bit slippy!

Lessons Cancelled Until 10th Jan

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:22:00 +0000

Due to the snow (with more expected over the weekend) and in the interest of keeping you all safe, lessons have been cancelled until Sunday 10th January.

We will of course do our best to keep you updated over the coming days.

We were thinking about having a mass snowball fight and snowman building competition if anyone's interested?

Be Water Safe

noreply@blogger.com (Phillip M) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:49:00 +0000

Be sure to check out our water safety guide by the STA and learn the Water Safety Code.

Kids, please make sure parents pay attention (tell them they'll be a test).

Look out for your water safety lesson at the end of term, it's serious but loads of FUN too!

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:47:00 +0000

Welcome back and Happy New Year to all our fantastic swimmers.

We're looking forward to seeing you, snow permitting that is. We will of course do our best to keep you up to speed if lessons are affected by the weather.

Assuming we can make our way past the snow men and snow ball fights we very much look forward to getting back into the swim of things and having a FUN filled 2010!

About (Hayley Stamp)

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 04:38:00 +0000

Contact
Email Hayley
Biography
Hayley Stamp: Teacher & Administrator

Hayley loves teaching children to swim, watching them achieve something and also teaching water safety skills that may one day save a life.

Hayley started swimming when she was 5 years old and went on to compete in the County and National Championships. She now spends most of my spare time kayaking down White Water Rivers and snorkelling in clear blue seas during the summer.