Hi! I'm Mark, creator of Swim Teach

Cover of the book ‘How To Swim Butterfly’ — step-by-step beginner’s guide to learning the butterfly stroke

Butterfly Stroke Made Simple for Beginners 🐬

Hi, Mark here. Hope all is well. Butterfly is often seen as the hardest stroke — but with the right breakdown, anyone can learn it. Think of it less as a power stroke and more like a rhythmic wave. Here’s how to get started: 🐬 The Basics Arms: Enter shoulder-width, sweep out and in, then relax on recovery. Kick: Drive from your hips with two dolphin kicks per arm cycle. Breathing: Lift just enough during recovery to inhale, then return your face smoothly.👉 Full technique guide ⚠️ Common...

6 days ago • 1 min read

Floating made easy: science, teaching tips, and lesson plans inside.

How do I float, and why do I sink? It's a question commonly asked by beginners learning how to swim. Hi, Mark here. Hope all is well. Ever wondered why some people float effortlessly while others seem to sink like a stone? 🤔This week, I’m sharing two powerful resources to help you (and your swimmers) finally crack the floating puzzle: 🧑🏫 For Swimming Teachers: A Ready-to-Use Floating & Gliding Lesson Plan Teaching floating can be tricky — but with the right structure, it becomes one of the...

14 days ago • 1 min read

Learn the simple timing trick that makes breathing in front crawl feel natural

What if your breathing timing was the one thing holding back your whole stroke? Hi, Mark here. I hope all is well with you. This week we are talking front crawl breathing - and more specifically, the timing of your breath. If you’ve ever felt your breathing “throws you off” in front crawl, you’re not alone. It’s one of the hardest parts to coordinate - but once you get the timing right, everything flows more smoothly. 👉 My full guide is right here. 🌀 What timing means It’s not just when you...

21 days ago • 1 min read

Teaching Adults: small tweaks, big breakthroughs

What’s the biggest challenge you face when teaching an adult to swim - fear, technique, or simply unlearning old habits? Hey, Mark here, I hope you’re doing well. This week, I'm tackling that sometimes tricky task of teaching adults how to swim, inspired by an article I wrote a while back. 🏊♂️ Why adapting your style matters Adults come to the pool with all kinds of backgrounds: varying fitness, flexibility, and confidence levels. The key is to meet them where they are, not push them into a...

21 days ago • 1 min read

One tiny tweak for this week’s lessons

A 30-second idea to save you prep time. Hi there - Mark here. Quick win: Set a 90-second “equipment spotlight.” Pick one aid (noodle, fins, pull buoy) and ask swimmers to name one thing it helps them feel. Then run a single drill using it. You’ll get instant engagement and clearer body-awareness without derailing your plan. 👉 Try these ready-made drills - click here. P.S. I use this when energy dips mid-session—works a treat. All the best Mark

24 days ago • 1 min read

The complete beginners guide to swimming ebook

Conquer Going Underwater - 3 Steps to Build Confidence 🏊

Always wondered, what’s the secret to feeling calm and confident with your head underwater? Hey Mark here. Hope you're doing well. For many beginners, the idea of putting your face underwater can feel overwhelming. But once you get comfortable, swimming becomes easier, calmer, and a lot more fun. Here’s a simple 3-step approach: Get the face wetBlow bubbles, splash your face, or chase a ball at the surface to get used to water around your mouth and nose. Partial submersionDip your mouth and...

27 days ago • 1 min read

Fresh ideas, ready to try in your next class this week.

Could one tiny tweak make your swimmers progress faster this week?

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...

28 days ago • 1 min read

Resending: Does the deep end make you panic? Here’s how to fix it

Does your confidence fall apart at the thought of swimming in the deep end? It's a common problem, but it can be overcome. Also, I have everything a beginner swimmer could possibly need to help support your swimming lessons and boost your progress. Hi, Mark here. I hope all is good with you. If the thought of swimming in deep water makes your heart race - you are not alone. Many adults feel anxious about venturing beyond the shallow end, and the good news is: it’s completely normal and...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read

Does the deep end make you panic? Here’s how to fix it

about 1 month ago • 1 min read

Your complete swimming teacher toolkit (instant previews inside)

Are you looking to enhance your teaching toolkit and make a bigger splash in your lessons? Hi, Mark here. Hope all is well with you. Everyone needs tools that make their job easier and raise the quality of their work, and we swimming teachers are no exception. I’ve gathered my best teaching tools into one easy-to-use page just for you. It’s packed with practical, printable swimming teacher resources to help you teach more confidently, save prep time, and deliver high-quality lessons your...

about 1 month ago • 1 min read