Aqua Elite

Very sad news. Stephen always supported Aqua Elite and showed me nothing but support and kindness. One of life's true Gentlemen. RIP Stephen, you will be truly missed.

It is with a heavy heart that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Stephen O’Connor.

Stephen was so much more than our General Manager. He was the heart of our team, a true leader, a mentor, and a friend to so many. His warmth, kindness, and infectious sense of humour made everyone feel welcome, whether they were a guest walking through our doors or a colleague working alongside him.

He was deeply respected, immensely admired, and genuinely loved by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Stephen led with compassion, integrity, and unwavering dedication, always putting people first and inspiring those around him to be their very best.

Stephen was also the valued Chair of the Board for the Shannon Region Conference & Sports Bureau, the incoming President of Limerick Central Rotary and has previously served as Chair of the Irish Hotels Federation Shannon Branch, reflecting his dedication to the continued growth and success of the tourism and hospitality sector in our region.

The impact he had on our hotel, our team, and our guests is impossible to put into words. He leaves behind not only an incredible professional legacy but also countless memories, friendships, and moments that we will treasure forever.

Stephen will be profoundly missed by everyone whose lives he touched. Our thoughts, love, and deepest condolences are with his wife Eveanna, his family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.

Thank you, Stephen, for your leadership, your friendship, your kindness, and everything you gave to us. We were truly lucky to know you.

Rest peacefully Stephen - You will never be forgotten. ❤️

And that's a wrap. Today we completed our last day of group lessons for the season. All my swimmers have worked hard all year and the improvement speaks for itself. Today's Swimmer of the Term has worked very hard since he started with me. He's listened, took direction well and improved week in week out. He has moved up through the levels quite quickly and already swimming the full length. So well done Johann our Swimmer of the Term.
Our Swimmer of the Year has worked consistently all year for me. She always brings such a positive attitude every week. Always a smile and a thumbs up from her. Her frontcrawl has become very strong and has began swimming the full length very comfortably. She has equally become stronger in backstroke and breaststroke too. I see such a growth in her confidence and stamina. Always a pleasure to teach. Her hard work has really paid off hence why Elle is our Swimmer of the Year. Well done Elle, keep her positive attitude.
Finally a huge thank you to all the parents, grandparents and child minders who facilitate the lessons. Bringing our Swimmers week in week out. Enjoy the break guys and have a happy, safe, fun summer. I look forward to updates throughout the summer. Happy Swimming see you in September.

Our last Saturday of the year. Wow wow wow. What a day. An extra special day as it's my birthday, so what better way to spend it. A big Happy Birthday to, two of our mum's Kelly and Kate who share my birthday. Hope you both got spoilt rotten.
Another great turn out today, well done to all our swimmers for working so hard on your last day. I am truly blessed to have the best pupils.
Today's Swimmer of the Term has worked hard all term for me. Things have really clicked for her this term and her confidence has grown so much. She has mastered her frontcrawl breathing and her backstroke has improved no end. Well done Emily, Our Swimmer of the Term. Your hard work has paid off.
Our Swimmer of the Year is so far removed from the little boy who started with me. He was so afraid and did his best to avoid as much as possible. Bit by bit we made small steps forward and he gradually built his confidence and then started to trust me and believe in his own abilities. He's the perfect example of keep trying and never give up. As I told one swimmer this morning there is no such word as "can't". He has really tried his best this year and we've started working on his unilateral breathing. His backstroke has become very steady,which is amazing as he hated being on his back. So well done Arthur , Our Swimmer of the Year. Keep believing in yourself.
Time to celebrate my Birthday with my family. See you all for our final day on Monday. Enjoy the weekend and sunshine guys.

What a great turn out today. Almost full attendance which is always great to see. A wonderful display of swimming. I often get compliments from members and hotel guests who watch the lessons, all saying what great swimmers they are.
Today's Swimmer of the Term has come on so much this year. He started the year with me in the pool with him and now he's flying it without me. His frontcrawl, backstroke and now breaststroke have all developed so much. I see a new found sense of confidence in him. Every week he tries his best and if he's ever in doubt he'll talk to me. He's great for taking direction. Well done Aaron, all your hard work has paid off our Swimmer of the Term.
Our Swimmer of the Year is a very impressive Swimmer. His stamina knows no bounds. He's extremely diligent, competitive, and very strong. To hold your form and technique for long sets is not easy but he always swims to a high standard. No matter what I throw at him he always gets on with it. He didn't start his swim journey like this but watching him grow into such a beautiful Swimmer makes me very proud. So well done to James our Swimmer of the Year.

Last Saturday of the year tomorrow.

Thursday complete. Well done to all our swimmers today. It was a lovely occasion today. Two of our swimmers have become such good pals of the last few months. They have brought out the best in each other. They love the chats, the laughs and most importantly they encourage each other all the time. They bounce off each other so well and I've really enjoyed watching their friendship grow.
Besides that their swimming has come on leaps and bounds.
Today's Swimmer of the Term has really grown in confidence in both his frontcrawl breathing and his backstroke. This term he's worked really hard for me and I'm delighted to call Finn our Swimmer of the Term. Well done Finn.
Out next Swimmer was very nervous when he started with me. He found it hard to relax and trust the process. He didn't trust the board and thought fast was the only option. Get there as quick as possible. All year he's worked with me. We've built his confidence, he's started believing in himself and his swimming has come on leaps and bounds. For someone who hated backstroke he's done so well. I'm really proud of you Aaron our Swimmer of the Year.
I was delighted to award these good pals both prizes today and they were both so happy for each other. Well done boys.

I love the last week of term. Showcasing all we have learnt throughout the term. The end of year is extra special as I can see how much everyone has progressed. Thank you for making me proud.
Time for our Swimmer of the Term. Today's Swimmer has worked very hard for me this term. We have been focusing hard on her frontcrawl breathing and the penny has dropped for her. I see her confidence has come on so much and she's really enjoying her swimming now. To top it off she told me it was her birthday today. So well done Poppy, very well deserved and a huge Happy Birthday.
Now time to our Swimmer of the Year. Today's Swimmer is an absolute pleasure to teach. From the first day she started with me she has always given me 100%. She has tried her best week in week out. Once she mastered her frontcrawl breathing she moved up a level to where I'm no longer in the water. She was slightly nervous with the step up, but true to form she gave it her all and tried her best, with a smile on her face. Her backstroke has become very strong and she has also added breaststroke to her bow. So well done Aurora, our Swimmer of the Year, this was so well deserved.

Last Week kicks off today..... let's do this

What a week so far. I haven't put my swimmers togs on once this week. Seeing the faces of those I'm normally in the pool with is quite comical. I have to say I have been extremely proud all week. From our confident swimmers, to our nervous swimmers everyone has exceeded all expectations.
All our swimmers now know they can swim on their fronts and easily switch to their backs. They know how to enter the water safely. Swim out and change direction. For our more experienced swimmers they have even mastered the art of getting safely through water without their goggles.
I am extremely proud of every single swimmer for embracing the week.
Knowing they can now enjoy the simmer armed with all the tools makes me happy.
Last day of water safety tomorrow.

Slightly different style of class this week. As summer approaches it's important all our swimmers know how to be safe around water and how to cope when caught off guard. Today's groups had the first insight today and all coped really well. It will be a fun safe week.

Another great week completed. Focus this week was on blocks of 3. Leg action, arm action then swim action. Building confidence at each stage, then putting it altogether to complete the stroke. Well done everyone our frontcrawl is improving week after week. I can see already those who are ready to progress after this term.

Everyone's swim journey is different. Some take to it easy and move through the stages with little or no issue. Some progress easy but as they move on they hit setbacks and struggle for a few weeks but gain confidence and then move up without issue. Some struggle from the start. There may be tears, push backs and reluctance. The thing to remember here is the swimmer won't remember this stage. It is much harder on the parent navigating it. I have years and years of experience and seen it all. If you stick with it these hard times pass.
A perfect example of this is from my first class this morning. Two sisters in the ones class. One happy attending each week and progressing week in, week out. The other more reluctant, cautious, nervous. However we have stuck at it. Ear infections, haven't helped but with new hat and goggles the past number of weeks the confidence has grown. From avoiding jumping in, not wanting to do parts of the class. This morning our Swimmer Aisling was just super. She listened, understood and tried her best in all aspects. At the end of the class she jumped in full of determination and swam to me. Well done Aisling I'm super proud of you.
If we fast forward to 6months I can guarantee if we ask Aisling do you remember the tears, the fear, she will just laugh. As they never do. Perseverance, patience is all that is needed. They all get their in the end.
Happy Weekend Guys.