Time to Register for Winter classes

Happy Thanksgiving!  

It’s time to dive in again and start swimming for the winter season of the Women First Swimming program, coached once again by Sara Robertson at Balcones Neighborhood Pool (with Heated pool with full showers and change rooms available).

While we took a break for the summer and fall, the program is will enter its 9th year in 2010!

2009-2010 classes NOW OPEN for registration  

Class Dates: 10-weeks starting Dec 12, Dec 19, then off two weeks for Christmas and New Years, then 8 classes starting Jan 9 through Feb 27.  

Time: 8:30-9:30 am

Class options and Costs: 

•  $125 for all 10 classes (Paid before Dec 12)
•  SPECIAL LIMITED OFFER —  $85 for the 8-weeks (starting Jan 9) IF PAID BEFORE DEC 12
•  8-weeks (starting Jan 9) PAID AFTER Dec 12 goes up to $99.

To Register for the Winter classes, Email Lisa Lynam to be put on the class roster, then send your payment to arrive by the start date as directed on the website payment page. Please note, we’d like to encourage paypal (preferably CASH, DEBIT or eCheck) as the method of payment. New mermaids need to fill out the INFO sheet downloadable from that page too.

2-for-1 SPECIAL and other Incentives

·         Because we know everyone is concerned about their finances these days, and I don’t want to see anyone left out for financial reasons, I will offer TWO 2-for-1 spots in the class for any mermaid, new or veteran, who signs up a NEW friend. Thus, you both get 50% off. First come, first awarded.

·         For a new Recession-Friendly twist to the Attendance Award (which is meant to encourage and emphasize the value of pure participation, rather than performance) instead of a free swim suit from Lane 4, or signed copy of my book Triathlon for Women, I will award the person with the best attendance record (by % of classes) with a FREE registration to their next class. In the event of a tie, there will be a draw.

Happy swimming,

Coach Lisa

Kaz Elskes as Mermaid Spotlight

It has been a while since the Summer Session ended, but Women First Swimming has updated the website with the latest Mermaid Spotlight interview with Kaz Elskes here.

Althought Kaz joined the program only recently for the January 2009 program, her enthusiasm was evident from the start. Both Coach Sara and Lisa selected Kaz for the Mermaid Spotlight based on her exceptional attendance record, positive attitude and encouraging friends and co-workers to joing the program this summer.

Well done Kaz on getting back into swimming and learning the joys of gliding in the water with fellow water-loving mermaids!

Summer Session smiles

It’s been of over a month since the last session ended, so veteran Mermaids were all smiles again last weekend as they started another round of Saturday mornings with a cool splash in the pool. For the next 7 weeks through September 12 (not including Labor Day weekend), Coach Sara will be on deck to instruct and encourage you. Coach Sarah Woodbury will be our lead coach on August 8 while tireless Coach Sara takes a holiday away from the pool.

The Women First Summer Swim program welcomes 4 new mermaids to the class.

Please welcome our new mermaids-in-training:
Amy Fuller
Veronica Hernandez
Becky Regan-Ramirez
Manon Saakstra

Special thanks to mermaid Kaz Elskes for recruiting  new friends to join the program.

As a recap from the last session in June (it was ‘Bring a friend and win a book’!), congrats to Sandy Morris for winning a signed copy of Lisa’s book Triathlon for Women!

We’ve updated our testimonials with a comment from Jean Hagood. We welcome other mermaids to have their say about what it is that keeps them coming back for more every Saturday morning. Suggestions for the program also welcomed. Drop me an email at womenfirst@hotmail.com.

Happy Summer Swimming!

New session starting 7/25

Greetings Mermaid! We are excited to announce a new session beginning Saturday, July 25 through Aug 29, PLUS Sept 12 (so no sesson Labor day weekend). Classes are one hour long, from 8:30-9:30a.

The cost will be a very reasonable $85 since this is a short summer session. As usual, checks can be mailed to Sara, payable to Lisa Lynam.

There are a couple 2-for-1 openings for anyone who signs up someone NEW along with their own registration. So act fast on this by emailing Lisa if you are ready to sign up with a new mermaid.

See you on deck
-sara

‘Bring a Friend’ to this Saturday’s final Swim Class!

For the last 8 years, more than 250 Mermaids in the Austin area have participated in the Women First Swimming program, and have been encouraged to swim ‘like Mermaids’.

As the final class of the Spring Session winds down this Saturday June 13, I extend this invitation to all former mermaids to come an enjoy a workout at Balcones Neighborhood Pool from 8:30-9:30 am with Coach Sara on deck.

Current mermaids can also ‘bring a friend’, and friends will be eligible to win a free signed copy of my book Triathlon for Women that was recently featured in Pam LeBlanc’s Austin360 popular blog Fit City! It will be a great opportunity to share your Danskin event stories after the class too.

We have many Mermaids who have successfully completed Danskins, Half Ironman, or even Ironman events! I feel privileged that I’ve been able to touch so many lives, and even help some overcome fears of swimming.

If you have a story to share, or a testimonial to be added to the website, please contact me.

If you are interested in a future class, please contact Lisa or Sara.

Happy swimming,
Coach Lisa