Who we are...
Victoria Widdowson
I learnt to swim at the age of 12 when my parents' anxieties
about
water and
swimming made them determined that I would not feel the same way.
During my lessons I developed a love of being in water and have
continued to swim for fitness and pleasure ever since. Over the years I
have improved my swimming style and have discovered the therapeutic,
stress-relieving benefits that are gained from comfortable,
non-competitive swimming. As a swimming teacher I encourage people to
increase their confidence by helping them to build a positive
relationship with water and by teaching them to swim with a relaxed and
healthy technique.
Having learnt to swim relatively later in life than some
people, I can
remember my own anxieties about being in water and can relate to the
emotions experienced by nervous learners and beginners. My degree in
psychology and work as a primary school teacher for 12 years have given
me additional skills in understanding different emotional needs and
learning styles. In 2016 I completed a course in CBT (Cognitive
Behavioural Therapy) Methods which I have used successfully
to
support people struggling to overcome their fears. I develop
a
relationship with each person who learns
with me and adjust every lesson to suit a persons own specific needs
and abilities. If you are keen to learn to swim or, improve your
technique and your relationship with water, but maybe feel anxious
about taking the next step, please contact me to discuss your needs and
to find out how I can help you.

Victoria and Richard
We both qualified as Level 2
ASA swimming teachers in 2000 and went on to complete Diplomas in Aqua
Health and Development in 2001 which involved training to teach the
Shaw Method of Swimming. We have been teaching one to one swimming
since 2002.

Richard Higgins
My recollections of swimming lessons as a child are of cold
footbaths,
clinging to the side, lots of polystyrene floats and having
instructions shouted at me from above. Not an ideal environment to
learn anything.
My memories of enjoying the
water are of
freedom of movement gained from being left to play around and explore.
Jumping in and feeling the instant effect of the water
lifting me
back to the surface; swimming under water and the ensuing calmness of a
slower, quieter world.
As a teacher I wanted to move away
from traditional swimming teaching methods which are very "land based"
and instructive. I wanted to be in the pool helping people to
enjoy the water. Over the years I have developed a teaching
philosophy based on four principles:
Good
Communication
Being
in the water teaching one to one allows me to communicate effectively.
I can talk and listen, observe closely, provide
demonstration and guide movements, making adjustments to a
learners body position in the water.
Support
In
the water I can provide learners with the support they need without the
use of floatation devices.
Safety
As
a qualified life-saver I have the confidence to monitor safety and
assist learners if they need help.
Individual
Needs
Most
importantly, I recognise that each person that comes to learn to swim
has different need and a different way of learning. My
teaching
history (over 10 years) has provided me with the experience and
knowledge to be able to help learners whatever their anxieties or
learning styles are.