Pool sessions - IMPORTANT

Steve T · Pool sessions - IMPORTANT

Tonight at the pool was the busiest ever, both sessions were at their maximum ten boats and in the second session people were splitting halfway through, even with Carl, Paul M and myself not paddling, along with two others who came along hoping to paddle but staying dry. Thanks to all for co-operating and for making it all less chaotic than it could have been.

We are rarely this busy, and while we may occasionally fill the first session, it's unusual to get more than six or seven in the second. I'm not sure why we have got so popular, but no-one's complaining, it's good to see so many people being introduced to paddling and obviously enjoying themselves (or at least coming back for more punishment).

If it stays this busy we will have to consider some form of pre-booking for pool sessions, although this has its own problems if people book but don't turn up, and in some ways does not fit in with the informal nature of the club. For the next few weeks we will see how it goes, with the following ground rules:

Basically it will be first come, first served, bearing in mind that we are only allowed ten boats in the water at a time. As always priority in the first session is given to juniors and beginners - if there are more than ten beginners then some of the adults will be asked to wait till the second session to allow the juniors (and their parents) to paddle and get home early. That's not necessarily a bad thing - we often go for a pint after the second session and all are welcome.

If people want to arrange between themselves to share a session, that's fine (you can still learn a lot by watching), otherwise it's first come, first served.

I don't think it's fair to give priority to members over non-members as we all started off by coming along to try it before we joined. However, we have asked that after two or three visits we would expect people to join if they intend to continue paddling with us. Members or newcomers will therefore take priority over anyone who is on their fourth or fifth (or more) visit but has not yet joined.

So that we know who we've got, and can arrange people into suitable groups for coaching, please don't grab boats or get into the water until a committee member has said it's OK to do so. It may be that the boat you have picked is more suitable for someone else and that you might be better off in a different boat. Also, someone could be there before you but has their own boat at the other end of the pool and you might be jumping the queue - remember it's first come, first served.

We have a very good, long-standing relationship with the Irwell Shufflers, who have turned up regularly to our pool sessions and are a steady source of income, helping the pool sessions to break even when there have been very few Westhoughton CC members present. For that reason, spaces in the second session are guaranteed for up to four Shufflers. Priority will go to them until these four spaces are filled. After that it's first come, first served (do you get the idea?).

I sure I speak for all the club coaches in saying that we genuinely enjoy introducing others to our sport and get great satisfaction from seeing them progress. However, if we spend every week coaching for 90 minutes and never get the chance to make a fool of ourselves failing to playboat we will start to get fed up. Therefore we too will want to paddle in the second session and will regularly take the opportunity to do this, but again it will be first come, first served - we won't waltz in at 8:45 expecting to take the place of anyone who been there since 8:00. This is fine because I live five minutes away and am home by 5:30 most nights

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We will see how the next few weeks go, please co-operate with the coaches who are all trying to run the sessions as fairly as possible. Remember this is a club and we are all volunteers. Tonight went OK despite the numbers but we wouldn't want to run all sessions like that. Everyone appeared understanding and no-one has complained, but if anyone is feeling a bit dis-chuffed they could take a look at the prices charged for commercial tuition!

Anyway I'm away with work quite a bit next month and won't be back at the pool until 25 February so it's not my problem and Graham can referee.
I'll watch the forum for news of any fights.

Keep paddling
Steve

Steve T

The above post has been condensed into a one-page set of rules, on the website HERE.

This is on a trial basis and will be monitored for a few weeks to see if we need to introduce some form of advance booking system for the future.

Please note that the intention of pool sessions is to allow members and newcomers to practice in a comfortable environment and to continue to meet on Wednesdays during winter. They are costed to break even, not to make a profit for the club, the charge is to cover your time in the pool, not a formal lesson. Instruction is however usually freely available from the club's volunteer coaches who are there because they enjoy passing on their skills, and because the pool management requires coaches to be present. Please treat the pool sessions in this way - as a social and informal event where you can practice, supported by the coaches.

If more formal coaching is what you are after, then your time with the club can be supplemented by courses from one of the many commercial providers who can do just that. Several of the more experienced members have undertaken such courses at their own expense both to improve their skills and to gain coaching qualifications, and should you want to go down this route please ask for recommendations.

Obviously we will still try to keep things informal, but these rules will help all of us if it stays busy at the pool.

Steve

Steve T

The last pool session for this winter will be 1 April. Three weeks left to enjoy warm clean water and a pint in the Cross Guns.

Please note that pool sessions are still VERY BUSY. Each week two or three people are asked to paddle in the second session even though they arrive on the poolside at or before 8:00.

First come, first served is still the fairest way so the answer is to arrive early, and be prepared if necessary to paddle in the 8:45 session.

Steve