The team travelled first to Chiang Mai mid February. All members, including honorary member Stuart, paid their own return flights. Chiang Mai International RC provided accommodation for the team and meals during training.
29 Swim Australia Teacher and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) courses were delivered. 17 Teacher of Babies courses were also delivered and 11 for Teacher of Learners With a Disability.
We did a short presentation to the Chiang Mai International RC whilst we were there and received a banner from President Viki. We presented the club with a gift of a boomerang as a symbol that we will return to support their children's water safety program.
The team was invited to an awards night and MP received an award for remarkable service to the region.
We had a couple of days to catch up on the local sights and we want to thank our member and exceptional tour guide Storm for his hospitality and generosity during our tour. Also the pool owner and program supporter Pomme - thank you for all the food and opening your home to the team and sharing your stories with us.
The team arrived in Phuket after Chiang Mai with a sense of loss at leaving new friends but also great excitement about what we could achieve again.
RC Patong Beach provided the accommodation, transport and food during training, JD Pools provided their pool and facilities.
In Phuket we trained teachers from Koh Samui (RC Samui-Phangan) and Hua Hin (RC Royal Hua Hin) and Phuket (RC Patong Beach).
25 Swim Australia Teacher & Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) courses were delivered.
The team was invited to a meeting at the RC Patong Beach and MP presented our club to the members which was well received. All team members received a club banner. MP presented a boomerang to club President Best as a token of support for their generosity and support for the water safety program.
We want to thank Bill Trempus from RC Patong Beach for co-ordinating all the facets of this training. Bill and his wife Nitcha stayed at the hotel with the team during the training to ensure we had everything we needed. He also provided the bus with the mirrored ceiling to get us to and from the pool. Hmmm was that going a step too far? I think not it was very comfortable. We also want to thank Dr Johan and his wife for opening their home to us and his ongoing support over the last 5 years to keep this program going.
We would also be remiss if we didn't thank Khun Gob and Khun Mint for their work to get the program started 5 years ago and keeping it alive during COVID. Great job ladies. You did not start this as a swim school with swimming teachers. You stepped up and took the reigns and have taught over 3,000 children since the program began and that is remarkable.
The team also left books to help train new teachers in both locations and the 2nd Dip was able to provide swimmers, caps & goggles for the programs.
