22-25 POOL WET LEISURE:Layout 1 8/2/08 17:05 Page 4
POOL & WET-LEISURE FOCUS
Olympic size pool praised
The Olympic-sized pool in programme catering for learners
Sunderland will give a major to elite swimmers.
boost to the country’s top When it opens next year it is
sporting talent. expected to provide inspiration
Amateur Swimming Association to open more Olympic-sized
Chief Executive, David Sparkes, pools across the UK. Sunderland
praised plans for the city’s pool as Aquatic Centre has been
he outlined the role it will play in developed as part of the city’s
developing British swimming Sport and Physical Activity
talent. The pioneering Aquatic Strategy, which will see two
Centre is the first new 50m pool in more pools built at Hetton and
England to incorporate the ASA’s Silksworth as well as possible
Beacon programme, which further development at the 50m
provides a full swimming pool site.
Aldershot to host new centre
New study seeks
The trial will follow the
for synchro swimmers
to solve chlorine
controversial and much quoted
research led by Alfred Bernard, a
and asthma riddle
toxicologist at Brussels’ Catholic
Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre is to be the new site for the first A new study is to be sponsored in University of Louvain.
centralised British Synchro High Performance Centre. The facilities, Chicago which may determine It is this research which has
managed by Aspire Defence, will be used by Britain’s elite once and for all the link between recently sparked off high levels
synchronised swimmers in the run up to London 2012. chlorine in swimming pools and of concern. In the United
Olympic hopefuls gave a demonstration of the talent that will be incidences of asthma. In early States, some 17.3 million
nurtured in the new state-of-the-art training centre. Management of 2008 the University of Chicago is people suffer from asthma.
this centre forms part of an £8bn facilities project which will provide to trial a three month research Since 1980, hospitalisation of
new and improved accommodation for 18,500 army personnel at programme which will focus on patients and deaths occurring
Aldershot and across Salisbury Plain. swimming pool hygiene, most from asthma in the United
Kath Cortizo from Aspire Defence said: “We are delighted that countries focus on bacterial levels States have risen 75%.
British Synchro has chosen our facilities for its first ever centralised in the pool, and also air quality. It According to a 2002 study,
High Performance Centre. It’s an endorsement of the centre and all is thought it will be the largest one in eight British children
the hard work that goes into running these truly world class facilities.” independent trial of its kind. suffers from asthma.
The partnership between British Synchro, Aspire Defence and the
British Army means that currently 11 of the country’s top synchro
athletes, including British duo Jenna Randall and Olivia Allison, are New dive initiative
now training at the centre in Aldershot.
British Synchro Performance Director, Biz Price, said: “For the first
is a success
time in British Synchro’s history, we have athletes training full time at a
centralised High Performance Centre. This will now enable us to More than 500 swimming and diving be taught from the poolside (in
compete at the highest level and provide the best preparation for teachers have completed courses pools with a minimum depth of
2012 Olympic Games where the athletes will be competing in front of for the ASA’s new Flip n Fun 1.8m) with no need for
their home crowd.” initiative. Launched in July, Flip n specialist diving equipment,
Fun is the new diving FUNdamentals which means it can be taught at
Online course for pool safety
programme, developed by the ASA hundreds of school pools and
and designed to introduce children facilities nationwide.
People around the world who care for – or help others care for – aged five to 11 to the basics of a The Continuous Professional
swimming pools or spas to reduce the risk to users and employees sport that has achieved Olympic, Development course provides
can now learn the basics online through a new online training course. and World success over the last diving teachers and Level 2
The online format makes it possible to enroll and perform the training three years. swimming teachers and above
online at www.eProAcademy.org. As the first stage of six within with the basic skills to deliver Flip
The course is for professionals who work in retail, as service the ASA’s Long Term Athlete n Fun sessions as separate
professionals, and as professionals working at a public pool or spa. Development model for diving, the classes or incorporated into
Everyone who registers for the Pool Operator Primer online course will programme is structured to teach swim programmes or activity
receive a reference manual and study aid of over 200 pages - the children a series of basic days. Lasting just four hours, the
Certified Pool–Spa Operator Handbook. The National Swimming Pool movements and skills in the water course includes practical
Foundation is a non-profit organisation founded in 1965, committed to and on dry land. sessions in the water and on dry
improving public health worldwide by encouraging healthier living Flip n Fun is also available as a land as well as theoretical
through aquatic education and research. standalone programme and can guidance and support.
24 UK LEISURE NEWS January / February 2008 www.ukleisurenews.co.uk
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