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SPN FEB 2011 IndustryNews
www.swimmingpoolnews.co.uk UK FIRST AS SHROPSHIRE LAUNCHES SWIM ACADEMY
World Champion Swimmer Katy Sexton, MBE, joined local school children and invited guests at Market Drayton Swimming Centre to launch Shropshire Swim Academy – the first swimming teaching model of its kind in the UK. School children had the opportunity to swim with Katy, the first British woman to win a World Championship gold medal, and see her backstroke training techniques, including the infamous balancing a cup on her forehead to maintain stability and balance in the water.
Katy Sexton MBE with STAnley, STA’s Water Safety Mascot, and Zoe Cooper, STA’s Shropshire Swim Co-ordinator
The innovative Shropshire Swim Academy has been created by Shropshire Council in partnership with STA and went live this month at all six leisure sites in Shropshire.
The initiative means that more than 10,000 children across the county will benefit from STA’s International Learn to Swim Programme. The
TEENAGER SUING FRIEND’S FAMILY FOR £6M AFTER POOL DIVING INJURY
A teenager left paralysed after hitting her head in the swimming pool at her friend’s home is suing the girl’s father because there were inadequate warning signs.
Kylie Grimes, now 22, who was 18 at the time of the accident, is suing David Hawkins and the management of Frimley Park Hospital, which treated her after the accident in 2006. Mr Hawkins’ daughter, Katie, invited Miss Grimes to take part in a midnight swim in the pool at the Surrey property in August of that year. After diving in Miss Grimes hit her skull on the bottom of the pool, suffering head and neck injuries. She was taken to hospital but was left paralysed from the neck down and can now only move with the help of a wheelchair.
Miss Grimes is now suing 54-year- old Mr Hawkins and the management of Frimley Park Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Speaking outside the High Court, James Burton, acting for Mr Hawkins, explained that the case will be based on the allegation that the warning signs at the pool were inadequate, not alerting people that they should not dive, or indicating how deep the water was.
Reports suggest the claim is between £4 and £6 million.
Mr Burton described the case as “no win”, saying: “It’s not good for anyone – If Miss Grimes wins her case then the homeowner will be made bankrupt. But if she loses, then she gets nothing.”
Mr Hawkins and the NHS Trust deny responsibility.
According to the Health and Safety Executive, there are no specific health and safety regulations governing swimming pools. In a comment on the story SPATA said: “Swimming pools can be an attractive place to have fun, but users should NEVER assume that the water is deep enough to dive into. Unless there is evidence that the water is deep enough (ideally at least 1.5m) then there is a large risk that swimmers may injure themselves if they enter the water head first. “Domestic pool owners may choose to indicate the deep and shallow ends (and the depth) but the onus should always be on the swimmer to be wary about entering the water safely.
“SPATA members can design pools to be built with a “cage of safety”, so that safe diving conditions are provided at the deep end of the pool. However, the safe use of this type of pool is still the responsibility of the swimmer using it.”
academy also introduces a common teaching system, standardised programme for swimming lessons and a single pricing structure across the county. The aim is to raise standards across Shropshire and provide more opportunities for people to access and take advantage of swimming lesson programmes at their local swimming pool. Katy, who hopes to be selected for Team GB for the London 2012 Olympics, welcomed the initiative. “Making swimming lessons as accessible as possible to all children is absolutely essential,” she said. “Learning to swim is so important – not only is it a fun activity to enjoy at the seaside or the pool, it could also save your life.”
Roger Millward, STA Chief Executive, said: “The partnership with Shropshire Council will provide opportunities for everyone in the county, from babies to adults, to learn how to swim.”
MORE COUNCILS OPT FOR FREE SWIMMING
An increasing number of local authorities have opted to offer free swimming lessons at their own cost in order to boost attendances in February and March. Most of the pools had offered free lessons through the Government sponsored scheme which was cancelled last year. Up to 20 local authorities now say the free swimming move is an important part of offering incentives to use the pools. Sue Chester contract manager for leisure centres in Nottinghamshire said: “Children can enjoy a free swim as part of a drive to encourage more youngsters to learn to swim. Making use of the pool in February and March is a great way for them to start.”
XL POOLS AND RUGBY TEAM TACKLE THE NEW SEASON
Swimming pool installation and maintenance specialists XL Pools Ltd based in Kent is sponsoring Sevenoaks under 14’s Rugby Team this season. The company’s sponsorship has helped them buy new kit for the whole team. The under 14’s have been Kent Champions three times in the past four years. Some of the team also play in both Kent and Junior Saracens squads. XL Pools endeavour to support any sports that promote an active lifestyle. They are proud to be sponsoring such a promising team and would like to wish them the best of luck for the season.
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