18/09/2023
Good morning to my Swimming family,
As many of you know, I closed the swim school for winter due to heat pump issues and loadshedding.
I thought it would be a good idea to fill everyone in on a bit of what's been happening in my life, reasoning as to why we won't be reopening and give you a glimpse into what will be on offer going forward.
In a nutshell, I've been swim teaching for 24 years, 18 of which have been in my pool at Melkbos Swim, so it was a tough decision to close up shop in March.
3 years ago I was diagnosed with Burn out, adrenal fatigue, leaky gut and severe hormonal imbalances (my Doctor actually laughed when she saw my results and said "you're basically bi-polar and it's amazing you still have a husband and a job!).
I've been on a healing journey since then. A big part of my journey has been to realise the difference between prioritising what makes me a better person and feeds my calm and confidence rather than feeding my stress and anxiety. My first step was to get back to what makes me happy, the ocean.
So, I decided that everyday for a year I would get to the beach and try to get in the ocean, even if it just meant running down onto the sand and dipping my toe in the water if I couldn't face anything else. It was the start of something bigger, going "back to me" meant being honest to myself about work and business and family life too.
Being in a pool (I call it my goldfish bowl), chlorine, long hours in the water, wasn't doing me any good anymore. Having people in and out of my family space from 7am till 8pm every day for 17 years wasn't having a positive impact on my family either and I needed to make a change.
Fast Forward to today.
I feel happier and healthier than I have in a long time despite having just been diagnosed with an Auto-immune disease in the last few weeks.
I still have a way to go but I have so much more to give than I ever have.
I've been training rescue swimmers for the National Sea Rescue Institute, I trained up as a PADI Freedive instructor, designed an underwater confidence and breath hold course, ocean safety courses as well as a healing workshop using all my knowledge, skills and life experience to help and empower others that are going through similar health issues or just want to be more confident in the water.
So... although I won't be opening up the swim school again (tears in my eyes as I say that) I will still be trying to bring out the gold in others using the water in other ways.
Please do let me know how you and your little ones are doing, I'd love to hear from you!
Our swim school number has been discontinued for some reason, so for swim related queries feel free to contact Jolande on 0824989437.
And my number is 0722994949 should you want to get in contact with me.
If you'd like to stay on this mailing list for SeaSavy info on workshops, Ocean safety, Freediving and helpful healing tips, please pop me a DM to SeaSavy
I hope to see you at the beach soon.
Love and laughter to you all,
Sarah
