Hi Mark here, I hope all is well. A while ago, I asked swimming teachers a simple question: What is the hardest part of teaching swimming? I suggested a few possibilities: lesson planning behaviour management nervous beginners stroke technique confidence on poolside The overwhelming answer? Parents. Not because swimming teachers dislike parents. Not because parents are the enemy. But because managing parents on poolside can sometimes feel harder than teaching the actual swimming lesson. The...
about 18 hours ago • 1 min read
Learning to swim starts with calm, not chaos - it’s about building confidence, feeling at home in the water, and knowing exactly what to do each time you step into the pool. Hi, Mark here. I hope all is well with you. When you’re learning to swim, it’s natural to have a few questions running through your mind: Why do I still feel nervous in the water? Why do I sink when I try to float? How do I breathe without swallowing water? Where do I even start — strokes or confidence first? If those...
about 18 hours ago • 1 min read
Does floating feel awkward? Is breathing under water making you panic?Whether you’re learning to swim or you’re a swimming teacher with pupils who just can’t relax, this week’s email will help bring calm to the chaos. Hi, Mark here. I hope you've had a great week. When you’re relaxed in the water, everything becomes easier – movement feels smoother, breathing becomes rhythmical, and swimming starts to feel natural. 3 Steps to Help You (or Your Pupils) Relax in Water: Submerge and slowly...
8 days ago • 1 min read
'Why do I get so out of breath when I swim?' - one of the most commonly asked questions in the pool. There are 2 very common breathing mistakes that many beginners learning to swim are guilty of. Hi, Mark here. I hope you've had a great week. When it comes to breathing technique, whichever swimming stroke is being attempted, there are two common mistakes that many adults make. Breath-holding Breathing too late What happens when you hold your breath? Breath-holding is an unnatural act for a...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Mark here, I hope all is well. If learning to swim this year is part of your plans, the most important thing to remember is this: confidence comes before technique. The swimmers who make the best progress aren’t the ones who push hardest — they’re the ones who take time to understand the water and themselves. Here are a few key foundations worth focusing on as you begin (or continue) your swimming journey: Get comfortable in the water first Before strokes and lengths, spend time simply...
22 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Mark here, I hope all is well. Whether you’re just starting out or many years into teaching, the most effective lessons tend to share the same foundations: clarity, variety, patience, and purpose. With that in mind, here are a few simple reminders worth carrying into your teaching this term. Know who you’re teaching It sounds obvious, but it’s easy to overlook. Adults and children learn very differently - with different fears, motivations, and confidence levels. Taking time to understand...
22 days ago • 1 min read
Your weekly insight, one mini story, one practical step to try today and one question to consider - all in a five minute read. Hey, Mark here. I hope you've had a good week. Most beginners try to learn a stroke too early. They think the answer is breaststroke or front crawl. Usually, the answer is something simpler: get comfortable, learn to breathe, and learn to glide. One insight Swimming gets easier when you stop trying to “swim” straight away. The real foundations are much less glamorous:...
29 days ago • 1 min read
Your weekly insight, one mini story, one practical step to try today and one question to consider - all in a five minute read. Hey, Mark here. Hope you've had a good week. This week, we are keeping lessons fresh! Lessons get stale when the teacher repeats the same drill in the same way. The problem usually isn’t the drill. It’s the lack of variation around it. One insight Good swimming teaching is rarely about inventing completely new content every week. It’s about taking a sound exercise and...
29 days ago • 1 min read
Hi there, Mark here. Many beginners try to learn swimming by piecing together random YouTube videos, overheard tips, and whatever they remember from childhood. No wonder progress feels slow - the information is scattered everywhere. You don’t need more noise. You need a clear path. Why This Guide Exists The 270‑page Swimming Guide for Beginners puts everything in one place: floating, breathing, standing mid‑swim, front crawl, breaststroke, water confidence - all in simple, calm explanations...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi there, Mark here. Teaching adults isn’t like teaching children. Adults carry fear, assumptions, pride, embarrassment - and often a lifetime of avoiding water. If you use the same structure you use for kids, you’ll both end the lesson frustrated. You don’t need to invent a new approach. You just need the right one. Teaching Adults How To Swim Why Adult Lessons Fail Adults aren’t lacking technique - they’re lacking trust and confidence.Trust in the water, trust in their body, and trust in...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read