11/07/2025
I rarely get time before or after lessons to talk to parents, but with lessons being back to back - a quick turnaround is a necessity - and I'm sure the process of teaching your child how to swim can seem quite nebulous at times.
I'm hoping this page will give me the chance to talk more about the methods behind the (safe and controlled) madness you may see in my lessons! 😂
Without getting too technical, and using excessive teacher-speak, the broad strokes of swimming development are as follows;
1. Water Confidence - Understanding BUOYANCY, basic BODY POSITION and simple BREATHING work. Learning to lie flat on front and back, blowing out into the water rhythmically.
2. Propulsion - Learning to move water and yourself through it. Basic KICKING and ARM PADDLE work, front and back. Frog, crawl and dolphin kicks. Circle arms and scooping hands.
3. Buoyancy Aid Removal - Learning to TRUST your NATURAL BUOYANCY to do the work of keeping you at the top of the water, so that you can focus on swimming forwards. Maintaining good body position and breathing throughout.
4. Streamline and Stroke Development - Learning how to MINIMISE RESISTANCE and MAXIMISE PROPULSION, by building strong and effective pulling and kicking actions whilst reducing your drag to produce an efficient swimming style.
There are of course, caveats and exceptions to everything but, in summary, that's basically it!
(another pic for the engagement!) 😁
