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Hi! I'm Mark, creator of Swim Teach

I've been teaching swimming for over 30 years and I built Swim Teach so that I can share all my knowledge, wisdom and experience from the thousands of swimming lessons I have had the pleasure of teaching. Take a look back through my previous newsletters and see what you missed.

Resources for swimming teachers
Featured Post

Ever feel like you’re repeating the same lessons?

Hi there, Mark here 👋 Hope you’re doing well - and that your lessons have been flowing nicely this week. Let me ask you something… What do you reach for when you need a fresh idea mid-week? When a lesson feels a bit flat, or you’ve got a new swimmer (or teacher) who needs a bit more structure? That’s exactly why I created my Swimming Teacher Toolkits. They’ve quietly become a go-to resource for many teachers who want something reliable to fall back on… without overthinking it. Each one builds...

Swimming Guide for Beginners

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...

Teaching Adults How To Swim Guidebook

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...

how to be a swimming teacher preview

Are you getting out of breath long before you think you should be? Which breathing technique is the right one for you? Hi, Mark here. Hope you're doing well. Let’s talk about breathing.Whether you're a beginner swimmer or a swimming teacher, one of the most common struggles in the pool is getting out of breath too quickly. Sound familiar? I’ve had loads of questions recently like: “How often should I breathe?” “Am I doing it wrong if I’m gasping for air?” “Is there a best breathing style for...

how to be a swimming teacher ebook

Can you tread water? How often does it feature in your lessons? Treading water is an important skill to learn for many reasons. Also, this week, fine-tune your teaching practice to be even more outstanding! Hi, Mark here – let’s talk Treading Water. Ever found it tricky to teach treading water in a way that really clicks for your swimmers? Maybe you're a swimmer or beginner, and treading water is something you've always wanted to be able to do. This week’s focus is all about this vital skill...

How To Swim Front Crawl

One of the most common questions I get asked by adult swimmers is, 'Why do I get so tired swimming front crawl? Hi, Mark here - hope you’re doing well. If you’ve ever climbed out of the pool wondering why front crawl feels so exhausting, you’re definitely not alone.It’s one of the most common questions I get from adult swimmers: “Why do I get so tired so quickly when I swim front crawl?” Most people assume it’s all down to breathing - but it’s usually a mix of timing, body position, and how...

how to teach front crawl

One of the most common questions I get asked by adult swimmers is, 'Why do I get so tired swimming front crawl? Hi, Mark here - hope the week’s going well. One of the most common issues adult swimmers bring up (and one you’ve probably heard too) is: “Why do I get so tired swimming front crawl?” It’s easy to assume it’s a breathing problem, but more often it’s about timing, body position, and energy control. I recently heard from a swimmer who said: “We all end up completely winded after just...

The complete beginners guide to swimming

Ever found yourself wondering, "How do others seem to float so effortlessly while I struggle to stay afloat?" You're not alone, and the answer might surprise you. Hi, Mark here. Hope all is well with you. This week, I am tackling one of the most common questions: ' Why do I sink, and how do I float?' Understanding Buoyancy: It's All About Balance Our ability to float largely depends on our body's composition. Fat, being less dense than water, aids in buoyancy, while muscle, being denser,...

Books for swimming teachers

What’s the one thing that can instantly re-energise a tired swim class? Hi there, Mark here - hope you’re doing well. Over the years I’ve found that no matter how much experience we’ve got as swimming teachers, a few simple tweaks can make a huge difference to how our lessons run—and how much our swimmers get out of them. I’ve pulled together some of my best tips that I use myself, and I thought you might like to try them out in your own lessons: My Top Tips for Better Swim Lessons ✅ Know...

The complete beginners guide to swimming

Always wondered why confident swimmers look so relaxed in the water? Hey, Mark here. Hope you're doing well. For many beginners, putting your face underwater feels like the biggest hurdle in swimming. But once you get comfortable with it, everything changes. Swimming becomes calmer, smoother, and far more enjoyable. Here’s a simple 3-step way to build confidence underwater. 1️⃣ Get the face wet Start gently. Splash water on your face, blow bubbles, or chase a floating ball at the surface.This...