Institute of Aquaphobia

23/05/2026

Our highly skilled Aquaphobia Coaches are certified by the IOA.

Being an Advanced Aquaphobia Coach gives you tools, plans, progressions not only to help adults overcome their fears,

It helps identify aquaphobic children and gives swim teachers the skills they dont get currently with any swim teachers courses.

Join us to overcome your fear of water with expert guidance. for Public zone. Aquaphobia fear of water help overcome phobia water swimming pool institute best

06/02/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7 February 2026
Millions Living in Fear of Water: Experts Urge Action on International Aquaphobia Awareness Day
Nearly 13 million people in the UK are unable to swim and are scared of water — and for three million, that fear is so severe they cannot shower or bathe.
As International Aquaphobia Awareness Day is marked today, water safety experts are calling for greater awareness of a condition that often goes unseen but profoundly affects daily life.
Aquaphobia — the fear of water — can develop in childhood or later in life and is commonly linked to trauma, learned behaviours, or long-held misconceptions. Despite its prevalence, many people do not realise that aquaphobia is a recognised condition — or that it can be successfully overcome.
Safety Training Awards (STA) has partnered with the Institute of Aquaphobia (IOA) to highlight the reality of water fear and promote proven methods that help people rebuild confidence and safety in the water.
“Many people believe they’re ‘just bad with water’ or that their fear is something they should be able to push through,” said a spokesperson for IOA. “In reality, aquaphobia is real, deeply personal, and incredibly common — but with the right approach, it is possible to change someone’s relationship with water.”
A Gentle, Evidence-Based Approach
IOA works with specially trained Angel Coaches who support participants through a structured 12-stage programme built on empathy, understanding, and gradual exposure.
Unlike traditional swimming lessons, the programme often begins away from the pool, with a one-to-one conversation exploring a person’s history with water. Each participant completes a Personal Ability Range (P.A.R.) assessment, allowing coaches to tailor support to individual fears, triggers, and needs.
For some, the first challenge is stepping into a pool. For others, fear begins much earlier — even packing a swimming bag can trigger anxiety. Progression is always led by the participant, never forced.
Why This Matters
The scale of the issue is significant:
13 million UK adults are scared of water and cannot swim
3 million avoid bathing or showering due to fear
The figure is equivalent to twice the population of London
The programme was developed by IOA founder Mike Burman, a former swimming teacher who observed consistent success using compassionate, step-by-step methods long before scientific research later explained why they work.
Today, those methods are helping people prepare for holidays, feel safe around their children, access hydrotherapy, and even approach water births with confidence.
“Overcoming a fear of water isn’t about speed — it’s about safety, trust, and dignity,” added the IOA spokesperson. “Every small step forward is life-changing.”
Supporting Inclusive Water Safety
STA and IOA are also encouraging professional swimming teachers to undertake specialist aquaphobia training, enabling them to offer inclusive, trauma-aware support to those who would otherwise avoid water altogether.
ENDS
Institute of Aquaphobia
Website: www.instituteofaquaphobia.com
[email protected]
Media Enquiries:
Safety Training Awards
Website: www.safetytrainingawards.co.uk

14/01/2026

Please share - far and wide! 🙏

30/11/2025

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone afraid of water?

28/11/2025

Excellent message from Swim England.

Achieving these four competencies is essential, but for a significant number of children, fear and anxiety are the real barriers.

At the IoA, we’re proud to champion trauma-aware, inclusive approaches that help all children - especially the most nervous - reach these vital safety standards.

Swim England continues to strongly recommend that parents and guardians keep children in swimming lessons until they have achieved all four water competencies 🏊

Find out why ➡️ bit.ly/CompetentSwimmer-SB

28/11/2025

💥 CASE STUDY 💥

Lauren’s 41-Year Journey to Overcoming Aquaphobia

Meet Lauren - a clinical hypnotherapist who spent most of her life unable to go near water after a traumatic swimming lesson at age 11.

For over four decades she avoided pools, couldn’t put her face under a shower and felt that familiar panic every time water splashed near her.

But just before her 50th birthday, Lauren decided she’d had enough. She wanted to prove to herself that fear didn’t get the final say.

That’s when she found Tom Glover at Glovers Swim School and began one-to-one ALP swimming lessons. With patience, safe-breathing techniques and sessions tailored to her emotional state, Lauren slowly began to rebuild trust in the water.

Even cancer treatment and multiple breaks didn’t stop her from returning.

“Tom was amazing. He never rushed me, he listened, he adjusted every lesson to where I was that day. I panicked every week - but I kept going… and he kept believing in me.”

Now Lauren swims every week - and loves it.

Her story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to face your fears - and the right support can change everything. 💫

Blogs

27/11/2025

📣 New partnership announcement 📣

We are delighted to announce we are working to deliver training for Mobile Pools UK.

Their temporary above ground pools are transforming access to school swimming - and with our trauma-informed training, their teachers will be able to support anxious, neurodiverse and SEND pupils too.

Mobile Pools UK will become the first provider of its kind to integrate our Certificate in Teaching Aquaphobics (CTA) into staff training, helping create safer, more inclusive swimming experiences for children who need extra understanding around water.

With too many children leaving primary school without vital water safety skills, this partnership is a powerful step forward.

Read the full press release below 👇

Blogs

27/11/2025

Did you see this fantastic BBC News story yesterday about a primary school in Peterborough installing a temporary pool so pupils don’t miss out on vital water-safety skills?

With sadly more pools closing across the UK, creative solutions like this are becoming essential.

Every child deserves the chance to learn to swim - and every teacher needs the tools to support children who are nervous or fearful of the water.

That’s why the Institute of Aquaphobia is working hard to upskill teachers nationwide and ensure no child is left behind.

What do you think?

The temporary pool has also helped boost attendance in Year Five and Year Six, head teacher says.