5 June 2008
We have now taught a total of 350 kids how to swim in Hoi An. We are also currently training a local lifeguard so that he will have the necessary skills to teach swimming in the future. This is definitely an area we would like to focus on so that the program can be self sustaining as soon as possible.
The children from the last program we held at Hoi An Trails Resort did marvellously well with the children achieving an average final swimming distance of 25m. I hope its not too sexist to say this but I was delighted to see that 2 out of the 5 children who managed to swim a distance of 50 metres freestyle were girls. This is a fantastic achievement after only 12 lessons. The graduation party we held at the end of the program was a huge success. The children all had a great time and were very proud of their swimming certificates.
Program 3 is going swimmingly (sorry, couldn't resist that). Many thanks to Hoi An Pacific and Glory Hotels for allowing us to use their pools. We upped the ante a little bit for these lessons and we now have 15 rather than 10 to a class which allows us to teach a total of 150 kids over this 6 week period. We were rather shocked however on day 1 when one of the schools sent us all of their kids, all 45 of them, at the same time. So we had 45 impatient eleven year olds all expecting swim coaching. A bit unexpected but we coped - but never again, I hope! This is the first time in a swimming pool for most of these kids. This fact is quite obvious from their healthy mix of enthusiasm and trepidation.
We have now arranged a 4th swim program which will run from 30th June. In this program we are trying something slightly different. As well as teaching an additional 50 children how to swim we are also inviting back 75 of the best swimmers from the previous 3 programs to give them some advanced swim training. We felt that some of the kids had performed so well that they deserved the opportunity to develop their swimming skills further. The ones who can swim sufficiently well at the end of the advanced program will be able to enter the Kid’s Aquathlon race at the Vietnam International Triathlon in August 2008. I will be really excited to see the kids complete the 200m swim and 1.5km run.
Really looking forward to seeing those of you who are coming over to Hoi An for the triathlon.
If you want any further info please don’t hesitate to contact me at Joanne@tribob.com.
Tel : +84 935728960
Details of the venues which have supported the project:
Hoi An Beach Club - Right on the beach, boasting a lovely terrace, swimming pool, pool table, full service restaurant & rock n' roll! A great place to spend a lazy day at the beach, drink some cocktails or party the night away. Tel: +84 510 911911.
Website: www.hoianbeachclub.vn
Hoi An Trails Resort - Boutique luxury Resort and Spa located between Hoi An Old Town and the beach. A charming hotel situated in idyllic gardens which combines the natural beauty and cultural heritage of Hoi An. Tel: +84 510 923999.
Website: www.hoiantrailsresort.com.vn
Red Bridge Cooking School & Restaurant - Why not take a Vietnamese cookery class while visiting Hoi An. A great way to learn about Vietnamese food, experience the local markets and the Hoi An way of life.
Tel: +84 510 933 222.
Website: www.visithoian.com
The Hoi An Pacific Hotel is a four-star Deluxe hotel which provides exceptional facilities and services with efficiency, comfort, security and most importantly value for money. It is centrally located and within walking distance to Hoi An Ancient town.
Tel: +84 510 923777
Website: www.hoianpacific.com
Palm Garden Resort is situated on 5-hectare of unspoiled tropical garden, features more than 400 palm trees and complexes of bungalows and suites that intermingle among a grass-covered landscape. This wonderful ambience of the design and the resort's high standards of service add to a wonderful holiday experience. The Resort is located on Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An Town.
Tel : +84 510 927927
Website: www.palmgardenresort.com.vn
Glory Hotel is ideally located about 500 meters from the heart of Hoi An. The hotel reflects a perfect blend of Eastern culture and French architecture, while all rooms are immaculately designed in the combination of Vietnamese styles.
Tel: +84 510 914444
Website: www.gloryhotelhoian.com
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