This week goes to Tess Chate.
Tess has managed to kick and breathe at the same time while doing front crawl!.
Big congratulations Tess!
Putting your face in the water is the first step to a perfect swim position.
Try these 3 simple steps to getting comfortable with water… You Can Do This!
Think it through and narrow it down – what exactly is it that’s causing you distress?
There will be a point for you where it switches from ‘I’m Okay‘ to ‘I’m really NOT Okay – get me outta here!’
Find that point for you. When you find it, work away at it. Imagine it’s like a knot in your shoulders. You must work at it, even massage it a little bit before it eases and then eventually disappears.
If we’ve described how you feel then read on because these tips are for you…
Don’t try to swim before you can float. Floating is key and Getting Your Face Wet is the place to start.
The third step? Repeat.
Congratulations and Welcome to the Water
This week goes to Alex Henderson for his superb doggy paddle.
Alex swam 5 metres all by himself!
Big congratulations Alex!
We’ve got three BRAND NEW CLASSES and we are very excited… Bring on the fun and games!
Get a free trial and see for yourself! We have confidence-boosting activities and lots of exploration for the pre-schoolers.
We give you the tools to get your child’s swimming started. Know what to do when you are in the water with your little one, learn how to help them splash and also keep them safe.
Learn how to move, play and socialise; build water confidence and swim skills with us:
Our governing body, the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) has changed its name to Swim England. Swim England have re-vamped their website and refreshed the Learn to Swim programme that we deliver.
From September 2017, you’ll see that the outcomes for our swim stages have changed.
Swimcentral will continue to teach this proven swimming syllabus which is now known as the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme
Swim England have made a handful of changes to the syllabus. Some of the outcomes have been modified or made more understandable (which can only be a good thing!)
Learn more about the changes Swim England have made just by clicking here.
Swim England have also re-designed the certificates and badges. They are bright and colourful and have been chosen with the help of children. The swimming certificates aimed at keeping swimmers motivated to improve their swim skills. To learn more about the new certificates and badges, please click here
Swim England is the new improved national governing body for swimming in England. It helps people learn how to swim, enjoy the water safely and compete in all aquatic sports. You can become a member of Swim England for free. They provide hints, tips and advice from the experts about how to get more from swimming. It is aimed at the 11 million adults in England who swim regularly to help them develop and discover new ways to enjoy the water.
Swim England strives to inspire everyone to enjoy the water in the way that suits them. Through swim partners like us, they create engaging programmes that enable everyone to be active, have fun and stay healthy through swimming.
Swim England also supports its members, clubs and athletes, and runs qualification and education programmes to develop the workforce. For more information visit the Swim England website.
We are looking for creative swimming teachers who can inspire children and build up their swim skills.
Now Recruiting…
ASA Level 2 Swimming Teacher
PART TIME: Mon-Fri 1-3pm during term time only.
Deadline for applications: 30th July 2016
Additional hours are available. Extra pay for blog articles on swimming-related topics.
We are super proud of our reputation and we know it’s all thanks to the dedication of our team. We’re looking for a knowledgeable teacher with an appetite for fun to come and join us! We believe children learn best when they are engaged and enjoying themselves. If you enjoy games, creating under-water adventures and love to swim, then we’d be delighted to hear from you.
We will support you with training and professional development opportunities. There’s also a chance to earn more with blog writing and extra teaching hours where available.
The job:
We are looking for a committed, confident and passionate teacher with a driving license and access to a car.
As the lead teacher and the first person parents and children meet, you are very approachable, take charge when necessary and deal with any enquiries.
As a Level 2 Swimming Teacher we expect you to teach structured lessons, mostly to school-age children but also to pre-schoolers and adults too. You’ll only have 8 swimmers or less in your group so you can really dedicate your time to their needs. With your games and focused practices, the swimmers will gain buckets of confidence and develop great strokes.
You will track your pupils’ progress and give face-to-face feedback to parents. At the end of term, you’ll provide customers with an end-of-term report. Your enthusiasm for swimming will create such a buzz that parents will be pleased to recommend your lessons to their friends.
Skills and qualifications:
Extra stuff:
Questions?
Contact Kelly Deakin on 07790 210401 or email [email protected].
Next steps?
Apply for the post before 30th July with your CV and a covering letter to [email protected]. Tell us why you are the best person to do this job and what makes you interested in the position.
We will review your application and if successful, one of our team may be in contact to schedule an interview. We look forward to hearing from you!
As for all strokes really, the first place to start is with a ‘push and glide’ through the water. To achieve this, you’ll need to be able to:
A push with the feet from a wall or floor will propel the swimmer forwards.
…and at the same time…
….and at the same time…
This can be a daunting task. It means letting go of the side and relying on the water to support you. Practicing will bring success; lots of encouragement and support will guarantee it.
Too tricky? Have a go at this…
Try holding onto the side, placing your face in the water and just allow your feet to come up to the surface. Practice this a number of times until you start to feel confident.
They will feel more comfortable. Just think how you’d feel if you had to venture out into a large expanse of water on your own! Show them the goal to begin with and you’ll find them much happier to try this technique!
If the swimmer is nervous, you’ll see them quickly flick their heads back as they come up. You’ll see tension in their body as they hold themselves rigid in the water. They will be more likely to cling to you.
If this happens:
Good or bad, swimming lessons can leave a lasting impression on a child. Are you planning your child’s first swimming lesson? If so, here are a few ways parents can make sure they have chosen a quality swim school.
Great swimming lessons can mean a lifetime of fun in the water!
A swimmer’s first lesson should be a fun, enjoyable and active experience. Everyone is apprehensive at the start of a new term and with an excellent teacher, a swimmer will be made of feel comfortable from the very beginning.
So how do you know if your child’s receiving quality teaching?
Here’s an easy way to find out…
You measure success by the happiness of the swimmers in the class. Look at the other swimmers in the group – are they all quiet and miserable or are they excited, bubbly and enthusiastic? You’ll quickly have your answer.
Children are more alert and focused in fun swimming lessons which engage their enthusiasm and allow them to discover the water during play.
The beginners’ lessons are all about these key skills and they are all interlinked:
Mobility – how the swimmers move around in the water, do they cling to the side or paddle boldly into the middle?
Water confidence – Do the swimmers cry out or flinch when they are splashed, can they put their faces in the water?
Buoyancy – Can the swimmers trust the water to support their weight? Do they hold themselves rigid like statues or are they relaxed to the point of falling asleep?
From the first lesson, your teacher begins to build up a series of good experiences around these skills. Each swimmer will feel engaged in the sessions and step-by-step, they learn the techniques necessary for a lifetime of wonderful swimming.
Needs and fears of each swimmer
Your teacher will understand the needs and fears of each swimmer. They will be able to tell when someone is apprehensive about an activity and they will encourage and reassure them. An excellent teacher will have many activities up their sleeves, so if one approach doesn’t work, they will try something else to engage the swimmer.
This stage is the most rewarding for your teacher – to make that breakthrough and see the swimmers achieve so much, it’s what swimming teaching is all about!
Be prepared…
These beginning stages cannot be rushed. It’s so important that swimmers feel comfortable and confident in the water and that means going at the pace of the swimmer. In some cases, this can take up to a year to achieve. If this process is pushed forward too quickly, it’s very likely the swimmer will lose their nerve and refuse to go. Sometimes it feels like ‘slow progress’ but it’s essential that you persevere as there are so many positive results to be gained from sticking with lessons.
Get wet – have fun…
Fun and games are essential for learning. Much more is gained from swimmers enjoying their time in the water than being fearful of it. New skills can be introduced through games and even the most cautious of swimmers can be caught up in the moment and forget their anxieties while a game is going on.
So don’t just rely on the lessons (however excellent they may be!)
Go swimming with your children, show them how much fun can be had and they will develop confidence and skills quickly with your boundless encouragement and gentle support.
Read about her experience, her passions and her swimming achievements here: 
Sport has always played a significant role in my life. Growing up I was that girl who tried anything; football, netball, rock climbing, rowing… you name it, I’ve done it.
However, my one true love has always been swimming. At the age of 3 I began my first swimming lessons, and since the first time my feet touched the water, I have never looked back.
Competitive Swimming for Eastbourne
I loved being in the water, whether I was splashing around with my friends and family, or swimming lengths upon lengths on my own, nothing made me happier.
At the age of 8 I began to compete for Eastbourne Swimming Club. The competitions gave me a great amount of motivation to work hard and succeed, which eventually showed through as I competed at county and regional levels.
National Biathlon Champion!
Swimming provided me with the confidence and enthusiasm to compete in other sports, and at the age of 15 I became National Biathlon Champion! As well as this, I competed nationally in triathlon – an invaluable experience to say the least!
Sport has made me who I am today
These sports gave me a real in sight in to a range of values and skills such as discipline, time management, commitment, teamwork, pursuit of growth, feedback, communication and integrity.
Without sport throughout my childhood I wouldn’t be on the path I am on today. I hope to inspire and motivate the children I teach to value sport the way I have.
Swim coaching in Dubai
In 2014 I decided to embark on a new challenge. I moved to Dubai where I fulfilled the role of a PE Teacher, specialising in swim coaching.
Working with individuals from the age of 3 up to adults provided me with a vast amount of knowledge as I adapted sessions to suit the individuals. As long as they were happy and enjoyed being in the water, I was satisfied… although seeing them win a race was great too!
I loved the competitive edge the kids had. It was brilliant; not only see that they enjoyed the sport but also that they had the motivation to succeed in the pool. They put together all the skills they had learnt and got the times they had been working for.
What’s in store for Emily in 2016?
Now at the University Bath in my final year, I am looking forward to embarking on a new challenge as a swimming teacher for Swimcentral! “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work” – this motto has driven me to succeed in everything I do, and inspired me to become the best teacher I can be.
Every child needs to learn how to swim
In my own opinion every child needs to learn how to swim. Growing up by the seaside was what drove my parents to getting me lessons.
The Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) has recently released the results of its school swimming census, revealing that 45% of primary school children are unable to swim 25 metres, despite it being a national curriculum requirement.
Although there has been a vast improvement in school swimming over the years, as a swimming teacher myself I believe that more needs to be done to ensure all children at a primary level have the ability to swim and have the knowledge of how to keep themselves safe in and around the water.
And this is what Swimcentral is here to do!! We want to ensure that all children are provided with the opportunity to experience the water in a fun, enjoyable and safe environment. Bring your child down for a free trial to see what the lessons are all about. We would love to help and support your child through swimming!
E. Bignell
Swim Teacher
Swimcentral
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