Our Adult Swimming Lesson Programme

Our adult swimming lesson pathway has been refined and perfected with sensitivity toward the beginning adult in mind, yet is also suitable for anyone with more experience to join in at any stage along the way, who may wish to improve their water confidence and swimming efficiency.

Stage 1: Beginner
The Foundation

Contained within the Foundation Stage are the essential and fundamental skills that are required in order to succeed with your long-term swimming goals. We will learn to relax and feel in control in the water, connecting intuitively with the water by developing gentle and efficient swimming movements, and learning essential skills such as floating and returning to a standing position safely and independently.

Who is it for?

• You may be completely new to swimming, or you may have had a challenging experience in the past

• You may have attempted lessons before, but found you were making no progress—and you wish to try a different approach

• You may be returning to swimming after many years since you were last in the water, and you seek to establish a firm foundation upon which to build your confidence

  • • familiarisation and acclimatising to the new water environment

    • learning the 3 most important hand and arm movements to develop water comfort, connection, and safety

    • exploring the breath: learning to relax, being calm, at peace, and in control when looking under the water—including the 4 key tips for success and comfort when looking under the water (even after a lifetime of resistance or a negative past experience)

    • exploring your buoyancy, core control, and the importance of having a good swimming posture (tension/flexion vs. relaxation/extension)

    • being supported by the water: developing trust in your ability to float and glide, and developing balance and core stability when in this position

    • mastering the ability to return to a standing position after floating or swimming, in a way that is safe, relaxed, and controlled

    • adding basic swimming movements in a way that is gentle and relaxed; an introduction to coordination development

    With Confident Swimming, I will ensure that you are equipped with the skills and abilities that will allow you to be empowered and in control in the water at all times.

    One-to-one support and physical assistance will be essential throughout this stage of learning to swim as a beginning adult—for comfort, as well as for safety. I will always be present in the water with you, so that I am able support, guide, and assist as you develop trust, relaxation, independence, and the ability to be fully in control in the water.

Stage 2: Beginner / Intermediate
Developing Your Swimming Ability

We will build confidence and develop the skills and versatility necessary to be comfortable and proficient in water of any depth. This will include learning skills like swimming with the head both in as well as above the water, developing a relaxed breathing rhythm, floating and swimming on the back, and learning various safety skills such as treading water and rotations. Our goal is for you feel at one with the water.

Who is it for?

• You may already be able to swim and have some degree of comfort in the water, but you wish to expand upon and develop your capabilities further

• You may wish to get more enjoyment from being in the water, feel more confident on your holidays with friends or when swimming with family, or prepare for other water-based activities like snorkelling and scuba diving

• You may wish to use swimming more as part of an active lifestyle for its many physical, stress-reducing, and mood-enhancing health benefits—and you are looking for a boost in confidence to get things moving in the right direction

  • • coordination, technique and rhythm development

    • learning an effective and powerful breaststroke

    • learning to swim with the head above the water in a relaxed and controlled way

    • breath control: developing an effective and relaxed breathing rhythm

    • transitioning between head up and head in swimming with ease

    • backs: floating, sculling, swimming on your back, and standing safely

    • mastering the 4 key rotations for water safety and versatility

    • treading water with ease: tips, tricks, and techniques

    • developing comfort and proficiency within water of any depth

    • perfecting your breaststroke breathing rhythm

    • introduction to front crawl

Stage 3: Intermediate/Advanced
Mastering the Front Crawl

For more competent swimmers, we can focus on Mastering the Front Crawl. Our path will be that of seeking efficiency. We will develop a smooth, easy, powerful, and efficient stroke with an effective and sustainable breathing rhythm, built upon the essential foundations of developing Coordination, Balance, & Relaxation, leading to Efficient Technique and Power.

Who is it for?

• You may wish to develop smooth, efficient and sustainable swimming strokes to enjoy for health and fitness—as a form of regular exercise, active meditation, or simply for fun and enjoyment

• You wish to focus on improving your front crawl speed and efficiency for triathlon

• You are transitioning to using swimming as your main form of exercise or for rehabilitation after injury, and wish to learn the correct technique

  • • establishing a good posture and body position, and an effective, light, flutter kick

    • stroke development: developing control, coordination and balance

    • understanding good stroke technique (and common stroke errors): learning where and when to apply power in the stroke

    • perfecting and optimising rotation, stability, and balance throughout the stroke cycle: mastering the ‘rotation series’ of drills

    • effective breathing and breathing with ease; learn why so many people struggle with their breathing, and learn how to breath correctly and easily

    • optimising rhythm and timing for speed and efficiency

    • we can also optionally explore an efficient Breaststroke, Backstroke, and Butterfly stroke if desired

    Ultimately, we will work toward developing a stroke that is smooth, easy, powerful, relaxed, and efficient.

    I am able to offer in-water video feedback and analysis of your swimming during our sessions, to accelerate stroke adjustment and improvement.