BACKGROUND
Aqua Aktif (EA) Limited was formed and registered in September 2013. The company’s aim is to provide the best form of training for swimmers of all calibers and to make swimming a means to a healthier, happier lifestyle. The managing director is Andrew Jonothan Fell. He is a professional coach from South Africa. He has been involved in competitive swimming since the age of 7. At the height of his swimming career he achieved National and Worldwide recognition and was ranked as one of the top 5 swimmers in South Africa and had a top 30 ranking in the world. As a professional coach he was employed by a professional swimming club called Players Swimming Club part owned by former World Record holder and Olympic gold medallist Ryk Neethling. He has coached at every level in South Africa including level 1+2+3 and Senior Nationals. In this time his job included being an assistant coach to Olympic Gold Medallist and former World Record holder Lynden Ferns and former World Short Course Record holder and Olympian George Du Rand and as an assistant coach to the current World Record holder and Olympic Gold medallist Cameron van der Burgh. In 2014 He required his A.S.C.A. (American Swim Coaching Association) Level 3 certification by passing the exam with 96%.To ‘COACH AJ’ as he is popularly known; swimming is his passion, his heart and soul! The other Director, Hemanshu Roy Pattni, is a chemical engineer by profession. He has been running various other businesses in Kenya for the last 18 years. Prior to moving to Kenya he was managing a company in Togo, West Africa which had dealings with the whole region from Ivory Coast to Cameroon. He is qualified from Aston University in Birmingham, UK. In Kenya he manages two companies, Sudi Healthcare which deals with mainly surgical items and Sudi Chemical Industries ltd, a company that manufactures liquid detergents under license from Shell Chemicals, Drilling fluids and has an Aerosol plant that produces products for Beiersdorf, Cosmos Pharmaceuticals, Osho Chemicals, Liquid Gold and various other companies. At the beginning of December 2013 Aqua Aktif took part in a Swimming Gala hosted by the Nairobi Swimming Association (NASA) at the Kasarani Swimming complex. The gala was attended by schools and swimming clubs from all over East Africa. Aqua Aktif was ranked 5th overall with only seven swimmers participating for the club. In February 2014 Aqua Aktif moved its base to GEMS Cambridge International School Nairobi where we were given the job of building the school swimming programme up from scratch, including the P.E. This has led to a swim squad of 30swimmers of all ages. On November 7th 2014 we held our first Skills gala for the primary school. We are planning a gala in February next year for the secondary students. Aqua Aktif has kicked off summer with a bang by rolling out our toddler, learn to swim, stroke, entry level, Master swim programmes. We are planning to start up our mommy and baby classes early next year, following try-outs in Dec/Jan. Below is a brief description of what our company offers at the current moment-
School Swimming
This group is the start to basic swimming technique, learning the foundation of every stroke thus gaining the building blocks of maximising their God given Talents as a competitive swimmer. This program is designed for children who have the enthusiasm for the sport and that have just completed “Learn to swim” and wish to start swimming as a sport. This will include training Monday-Thursday at no cost
Please note:
• School swimming and Club swimming will be run at different times and not at the same time!
• Club swimming is not limited to GEMS swimmers.
• The club structure is as follows:
Toddler Group
This group is for those swimmers who are at right beginner level and do not know how to swim. They will be taught the basics of swimming including familiarisation with the water. This group will be for ages2-4 year olds. One session a week is the requirement for this group however children can attend up to 3 sessions a week. Learn to Swim
This group is for those swimmers who are at right beginner level and do not know how to swim. They will be taught the basics of swimming including familiarisation with the water, floating and the basic beginning of the all 4 strokes a minimum of 3 sessions a week and a maximum of 5 sessions a week. Stroke Development Squad
This squad’s focus will be to develop the 4 strokes of swimming and will start to develop endurance steps for the Entry Level Squad. Entry Level Squad
This group begins to explore the competitive side of swimming .This group will refine the four competitive strokes and begin to learn starts and turns along with basic conditioning. The program emphasize introduces competitive participation, for the squad in club meets. This will be a maximum of 5 sessions per week a week. Intermediate Squad
Introduction to training with a major focus on technique and skills development for children +/- 10 years and older. The swimmers will be introduced to different aspects of competitive training. The program is designed to develop talented swimmers who have successfully swum an NASA Age Group Long Course Level 1 and qualifying time. These swimmers benefit from individual training and conditioning program and compete for Aqua Aktif swim in club meets. This will be a 6 day programme that will run Mondays-Friday in the afternoon and Saturday mornings. Additionally there will be a maximum of four morning sessions a week. Advanced Squad
This group is designed for the advanced competitive swimmer. The continuation of stroke refinement, basic conditioning, teamwork skills, goal setting, and a dry land program are included in the training regimen. This group further develops the concepts of workout structure, interval training, and aerobic conditioning. The Advanced Squad consists of swimmers who have successfully swum an NASA Age Group Long Course Level 2 and 3 and NASA National Youth Championship qualifying time thus proving their ability to compete and dedicate themselves to the sport of swimming. The program also features advanced technical development, intensive assessment and career management. Additionally there will be a maximum of four morning sessions a week
Elite Squad
This group is the highest training level for experienced swimmers who are 16 & older and who are committed to high standards of training, in terms of practice attendance and practice intensity. Acceptance is through invitation by the Head Coach and requires minimum qualifying time(s), training test set, and attendance expectations. The group will be comprised of swimmers who have aspirations of competing on the National and International levels. This will be a 6 day programme that will run Mondays-Saturdays in the afternoon and will also incorporate four morning sessions on days still to be decided on. Masters Squad
Masters swimming welcomes everyone from ages 20 and up, no matter what your reason is for swimming. How far you go with the Masters Swimming system is up to you. The broad objectives of better health, better fitness, and friendship between swimmers are paramount. Mommy and Baby Classes
This group focuses on the bond between mother and child in the water. Water stimulates a special bond between the two and makes it easier for the baby to get used to the water. Private Lessons
This is a limited squad for those who would Like a 1 on 1 session with coach. This is aimed more at adults that would like privacy whilst they swim. Scholarships: Aqua Aktif awards scholarships annually to deserving swimmers after carful considerations of the Directors of the Club.
