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.
A Thought for You as the Pool Gets Quieter
|
Hi, Mark here — I hope the end of term is treating you kindly. As we reach that time of year when routines shift, the pool quietens down, and many people focus on family, rest, and celebrations of all kinds, it’s natural for swimming to slip a little lower on everyone’s list. Teachers are wrapping up blocks of lessons, parents are juggling end-of-year commitments, and many of us are simply ready for a breather. This calmer period can actually be a gift. Here are a few gentle prompts you might find helpful: End-of-Term Reflection Questions
Even five minutes with a warm drink and a few notes can make January feel clearer and more intentional. A Small Resource for Your Quiet WeeksIf you like planning ahead during these calmer moments, you might find my Swimming Teacher Toolkits useful. They’re designed to give you structure, spark ideas, and lighten the load when lesson planning starts again — particularly if you’re mentoring new staff or managing varied groups. No pressure at all - just something to explore if you want a head start for the new year:
Take the Break You’ve EarnedYou’ve guided nervous beginners, reassured parents, celebrated breakthroughs, and kept lessons moving even on the tough days. You deserve a proper rest - whatever this time of year looks like for you. Wishing you a peaceful end to the term and a smooth, stress-free transition into the new year. That's all for this week. Happy teaching! Cheers Mark P.S. Do you know someone that might appreciate this email? Forward it to them now! P.P.S. - Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe here. |
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.
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...
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...
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...