Tuesday, December 31, 2013

The 2013 update



This year was different. We had stepped up our game over the last 2 years and it was always going to be hard to top last year but, boy, did we do it and more.

The year kicked off well with the new beach lifeguard programme taking up a lot of attention, along with AED this whole element of sthoee has taken on a whole new life. It’s never been busier and we've never had so many courses and so many trainers live. We were happy to host a RLSS RNLI conference on Lifeguarding and made lots of new friends in the process.

At the pool survive and save continues to grow, the programme took time to bed down but we can safely say it’s up and working. Rookie got a new lease of life with a massive amount of new trainers representing 4 Irish Lifesaving Clubs. Sthoee continues to support volunteers nationally

Gear wise this year was a “refresh” year as we updated existing kit but there were some new acquisitions. Our Rescue SUPS , the first in Ireland , grabbed all the attention , we were not ready for just how big they are. As patrol  kit they are just fantastic. But. They. Are. Big.  Back in the pool data projectors became the norm. The times are certainly a changing

Open water was the biggest it’s ever been. Many long hot summers nights on the beach were enjoyed. It is hard to see how we could have had more people involved or how it could have been better. It was not unusual to see 50 people in the water and whole day events.

Our birthday took on a whole new life with the massive Game of Throws event. A whole new life-sized lifesaving reality game. Logistically this was big and loud. Everyone participating got our new Keep Calm and Kick your legs T shirt, speaking of shirts the new Lifeguard shirt was released and became an instant success, Throwers also won rather cool collectable Lifeguard camper vans. All swimmers now also have their new lanyards  marking out goals and successes.

And then at Christmas Scuba Santa made his return. At the end of the year we said goodbye to dear friend Marian Fenton, it was a joy to share a bank with her, she will be missed by all her friends and colleagues in DCU. 
-o-
Sthoee has a lot of moving parts, as they new crew will tell you it takes many hours to make something look effortless. We have a great  team who go above and beyond to make sure that there is more

As we see lifesaving clubs struggle across Ireland and in the UK its tough to see just what we do differently and who we always have a list waiting to join. Could it be the value, the activities, the discounted courses, the integrity of the crew, the events nights, the open water , the gear? Perhaps. but I’d be putting my money on the craic . People enjoy being part of it and contributing.

So next year, well pool lifeguard is slated for January along with AED and First Aid. The master plan on beach is happening (ask if you don’t know what “beach as standard” is). Resuscitation Lifesaving and Rookie will all grow and we promise that 2013 year was only a warm up. It’s hard to single out one success or one event that made it happen  

The list of thanks is too great, you know who you are, and you know the work you do, go raibh míle maith agaibh.

Respectfully submitted, 

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Sad News

We are sorry to hear that our dear friend and colleague Marian Fenton has passed away.

It's not hard to find nice things to say about Marian, she had an abundance of enthusiasm and energy, always making us feel welcome

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all her Family.

Sunday, December 22, 2013

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Well this is the picture that says it all.

Scuba santa came down to the bottom of the swimming pool for photos

Have a great Christmas everyone. Stay tuned over Christmas for updates

__________________________________________
Get in touch to get involved
sms/tel (+353) 086 1595422
email web@sthoeelifeguardsdublin.com
web www.sthoee.com
blog www.sthoeelifeguardsdublin.blogspot.ie
facebook facebook.com/sthoeelifeguards

   

The Christmas event



It arrived.

We have confirmation in that one of Santa's helpers will be onhandd for scuba santa.

yes, you can meet him but it'll have to be on the bottom of the pool.

Its scuba santa night

*members you can get your picture taken with scuba santa  and emailed home, pictures are opt in , standard rules apply on cameras and cell phones - none!

Friday, November 15, 2013

We've got it covered......

Hi Lifesavers and Lifeguards hope you like your new lanyard and all the little extras 

from this Sunday you can get your rescue team cards laminated by Dylan and Mark  - get your challenge get a new card.

Wear your lanyard every week



  

Monday, November 11, 2013

Update 11/11/13 - outage

 

You will be aware that we had serious power outage issues in the pool last night resulting in loosing light in the pool.

 

We are very happy with the emergency planning and management of the incident by our trainers and, indeed, our swimmers.

 

This is something we take seriously.  We have written emergency plans that include everything up to and including evacuation should it be necessary. Crew had completed refresher training this term so we are pleased with the management of our lifesavers.

 

DCU are working to identify the cause and we will continue to work closely with them to improve our planning.

 

Don't hesitate to contact us to ask any questions about our safety planning.

 

p.s. we hope you like your new lanyards - we'll update you on our plans for them later in the week – remember to bring them every week.

 

Sunday, November 3, 2013

our birthday !


TOLD YOU TO BE ON TIME ! 


well we weren't kidding  - the most complex dry lifesaving session we've ever attempted 

a life-sized lifesaving board game played by 140 people. its hard to describe a "sthoee game of throws" its lifesaving our style. it starts with toby being thrown over a wall........

Everyone left with out new sthoee keep calm t-shirt and a limited edition Lifeguard moneybox  - start saving 

tonight 22 years ago we first opened our doors, 22 years later we've had our best year, by  long shot, we are stronger than we've ever been, a great crew, more trained trainers than ever. 

and the best kept secret...........

there are so many people who work to make this happen. its a privilege to volunteer with you all (and to eat pizza when we done) we wont embarrass anyone but you know who put in the hours, thanks 
  

Friday, November 1, 2013

lifesaving on Sunday – ignore at your peril

 BE ON TIME  BE ON TIME  BE ON TIME  BE ON TIME  BE ON TIME 



It’s important to be on time on every week but especially this Sunday.

why...
   1.   a student intervarsity archery event is on in DCU
   2.   we will not be in our normal rooms
   3.   we will not be at reception between sessions

- if you are late for theory please wait with your parents until your swim time
- do not pass the barriers / reception without a trainer
- a late start is not possible for the dry sessions

tldr; if you choose to abandon your kids at the door after 6.30 / 7.30 we
will not be there, the place will be full of strangers with weapons and you will miss out!


Its birthday night and we have something new lined up , its called a Sthoee Game of throws. 

Its not like anything we have ever done before.......

crew  - dry run & pilot 4pm Saturday, please speak with CdB & evening meet up Saturday 

update 6.45, we've done the dry run. its gonna be great


Wednesday, October 30, 2013

......... Its coming........


We have an adjudicator

We have a governor

Birthday is coming

DO NOT BE LATE
   

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Bank Holiday


Its the Bank Holiday and we're not at the pool


Back to DCU Sunday 3rd November for our birthday month. 

Be on time or lose out!
Its important to arrive on time to lifesaving, if you turn up late you may have to miss the entire session, or the teacher may fill your space with someone else. 

We have a huge number of people trying to join... your space us not reserved - use it or loose it. 


lots of the crew are heading off for a well earned break for what is their first swim of the the next Open Water season. Winter board work is not for everyone but where would you rather be up to your neck in surf off Donegal or in a shopping centre?

plenty more pictures of blood night to follow



This November  it'll be the first time many of you get to meet the little guy , he only turns up once a year.......



Enjoy the bank holiday, 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Blood Night

Hi all,

Myself and Richard would like to thank everyone for last night for all the help with blood night.

Looking trough all the videos that I took last night, there are a lot so it will be a while before I get them edited but I have some pictures for you's, some pretty good injuries.

Also thanks to the bodies who came up extra early and gave a dig out with the decorations and stuff.

Niall.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

I went to lifesaving and all I got was......


...... a severed arm, bruises, burns , breaks, and the living bejazus scared out of me

Blood night is tonight, a positively ghoulish night of first aid and casualty simulation.

How to treat a vampire bite? Attacked by a zombie? Difference between a lifeguards emergency first aid kit and a vampire emergency kit?

important lifesaving skills like zombie invasion planning, different vampire bites, triage and injury assessment - werewolf or zombie?, púca or ghoul?

We've gallons of blood, wads of fake flesh, fake injuries, and a cast straight from the hammer house of horror.

Dress to unimpress, it's a night for old clothes...... crucifixes, silver bullets and wooden stakes.

Do not be late.
Do be afraid,
be very afraid

__________________________________________
Get in touch to get involved
sms/tel (+353) 086 1595422
email web@sthoeelifeguardsdublin.com
web www.sthoee.com
blog www.sthoeelifeguardsdublin.blogspot.ie
facebook facebook.com/sthoeelifeguards

   

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Important Lifesaving Dates at DCU



20 October - Blood Night 6.30 & 7.30 start
Bank Holiday - no swim
3 November - Birthday night, we are swimming 6.30 & 7.30 start

This Sunday its blood night  - over the last few weeks your teachers have been going through how to deal with first aid situations like bleeding, burns and breaks, this week we take it up a level. You will get the chance to "blood up" and create wild and wonderful injuries to treat. Its a magical evening where we have a ghost over the pool, a skeleton and loads of fingers, arms and eyes

its lifesaving like nowhere else !  

Picture of the evening will be available for download from here

remember  to WEAR OLD CLOTHES and bring swim gear - this is not the night for light colours or your Sunday best

Come on time  - if you are late you will not be able to go into your dry class 



If you are squeamish or scared don't worry we'll have non ghouls there too


CREW its an early night  - Richie and Niall will be in contact (5.30)

We have special updates starting this week too where all 20 of our crew will be updating you on what the classes are up to , what's being covered and what's next. keep in touch




waiting to hear information on joining? sorry about the delay in getting back. we will be in touch this week. We will sort everyone. 

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

earlier start time this Sunday

This Sunday we move to our winter timetable


come for 
6.30 for 7.30 swim
7.30 for 8.15 swim
(late crew swim)




be afraid ready
Its important to come on time, teachers will be starting on the first aid skills you'll need for over 100 zombies and vampires that will require treatment on Blood Night. They'll be walking the halls in just a few weeks 

All swimmers will also be getting their goal swim cards - what's your challenge this term? 

We've some good news as we welcome Mark and Dylan to the Crew. Over the last year they have excelled at Sthoee. Their contribution to make what we do look effortless has been fantastic, the whole crew are delighted to have them on board. At 16 Dylan is the youngest crew member we've ever had. 


deck notes 
Driving - you can get a DCU car park pass  for €10 at reception 
+ have an inhaler, meds or epipen? - we'll be in touch this week 

If you are interested in joining or doing a course with us you need to register !

online applications: register here
________________________________________________
text / call     086 1595422
web             www.sthoee.com
blog             http://sthoeelifeguardsdublin.blogspot.ie
visit             DCU Sport Pool, Collins Avenue/Ballymun Road Sundays@ 7, Sept-June
email           info@sthoeelifeguardsdublin.com
facebook     facebook.com/sthoeelifeguards

Sthoee  - 21 years making waves


Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Welcome all our new swimmers - we hope you enjoyed induction 2013




Welcome all new and existing members to yet another sthoee year of fun friends and frenzy! 

If this year is to be anything like some of the ones we've had before we can expect many events, open water swims and not to mention awards. 

For this year to be worthwhile for, especially for you new members, remember the key think is to GET INVOLVED! 

Throw yourselves into the deep end (not literally please!) and will you will not be disappointed. 

Me for one I cannot wait to get this year into swing and bring in blood night in October! :)

Ciara S

Diary Dates

September 29 swims 7.30, 8.15 & 9 (crew)
October swims start 6.30 & 7.30 (masterclass @9)
October 20 get blooded up for blood night '13
October 27 no pool swim bank holiday
November 3 Birthday night  - don't miss this  





masterclass series
crew  - we have something special for you over the next couple of Sundays
The first in our new masterclass series.
Beginning with a world wide exclusive - bring swim gear

Saturday, September 21, 2013

New starts Sunday 22nd



we're welcoming lots of new swimmers this Sunday 22nd in DCU

if you want to join and have yet to contact us to arrange your sessions tomorrow
please get in touch now
by phone/sms  0861595422,  email join@sthoeelifeguardsdublin.com  or
fill in the registration form here 

we will fill - do not leave it too late to contact us 

New starts
- make sure you've contacted us in advance
- you and your parents will get to see the venue, pool and gear as well as meeting our welfare team and the rest of the crew.
- make sure to bring swim gear hat and leave all the valuables at home. Parents of existing swimmers you are more than welcome to attend too (there is a parents session later in the year too)
- remember to bring a swimming cap and a parent or guardian. you can speed up registration on the night by filling in a reg form - if you need one email us at join@sthoeelifeguardsdublin.com

existing swimmers
- at this stage all existing swimmers must have completed a registration form and received this years swim card.
- no theory until October

If you need directions
By foot ; DCU sport beside the hub/ accommodation reception
By Public Transport: http://www.dcu.ie/info/get_to.shtml
By car use the Ballymun Road entrance  - here's a map
when you get lost .... ring us on 0861595422



Sunday, September 15, 2013

Lifesaving Sunday September 15

Don't forget swimming on at 7:30, 8:15 and 9

No theory till October.

New swimmers register now for next week.

Don't leave it to the minute!

Enjoy flightfest..................

Monday, September 9, 2013

Lifesaving is back

Lifesaving Classes in Dublin - limited availability this September

Existing Swimmers back to pool 8th and 15th September  -remember we have no theory till October. 
Swims 730 & 815, crew & lifeguard swim @ 9
Existing swimmers registration from 7

We have beach lifeguards assessments on the 21st. Make sure to contact your ta this week .


have a new start  who wants to join? new starts 22nd September 
contact us about joining 
email - join@sthoeelifeguardsdublin.com
text/ring 0861595422.


 let us know if they are a sibling of an existing swimmer !!


or you can complete our online registration 

more info on what we do is herehere and here

___________________________________________________

Get in touch to get involved
sms/tel (+353) 086 1595422
blog sthoeelifeguardsdublin.blogspot.ie

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Lifesaving Classes in Dublin - limited availability this September

Existing Swimmers back to pool 8th September  - we don't hold spaces , if you are away get in touch NOW



want to join? new starts 22nd September 
contact us about joining 
email - join@sthoeelifeguardsdublin.com
text/ring 0861595422

classes for new starts and experienced lifeguards and lifesavers 8+, 12-16, 16-18, 18+ and adult. 
Lifesaving & Watersafety, Pool Lifeguard, Beach Lifeguard, CPR, First aid and AED. 

A unique group of people, the largest qualified training team in Ireland, the best equipped voluntary group there is, all in Ireland's premier training facility. 


or you can complete our online registration 

more info on what we do is here, here and here

___________________________________________________

Get in touch to get involved
sms/tel (+353) 086 1595422


Sunday, August 25, 2013

Claremont Sunday 630 and back to pool Sunday 8th

Existing Swimmers we're back from 8th Sept. remember we don't hold places 

Start getting in touch if you have family and friends who want to join 





Its time. Out last Sunday night Open Water Swim for 2013 is this Sunday on Claremont. It calls for something special. We've been calling for pizza all Summer, its about time someone delivered.   


some Lifeguard crew on Dollymount for our H2Open swimDollymount for the first H2Open swim. not much water but tonnes of craic, beach-flags, volleyball, late into the evening on the only Dublin City Beach 




Want to join? Just get in touch.........
__________________________________________
Get in touch to get involved
sms/tel (+353) 086 1595422
email web@sthoeelifeguardsdublin.com
web www.sthoee.com
blog www.sthoeelifeguardsdublin.blogspot.ie