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.
Keeping Swim Lessons Varied Without Overcomplicating Them
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Hi Mark here, Happy new year! I hope all is well. A new term always brings a familiar rhythm - fresh faces, returning swimmers, and a renewed chance to make a real impact at poolside. 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 teachingIt 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 who is in front of you helps lessons feel personal, supportive, and far more effective. Vary your equipment and your approachChanging the equipment you use - even slightly - can unlock new drills and fresh learning moments. Kickboards, noodles, pull buoys and fins aren’t just aids; they’re teaching tools that keep lessons engaging and focused. Use the power of play (especially with children)Games aren’t just fun — they’re one of the fastest ways to build skills. Turning drills into imaginative tasks or simple challenges helps children engage naturally and progress without overthinking. Progress — but don’t pushConfidence grows when swimmers feel ready, not rushed. Revisiting skills, refining technique, and allowing time for comfort are all forms of progress. Challenge swimmers when they’re ready - not before. Feedback matters more than everConsistent, constructive feedback builds trust and motivation. Celebrate what’s going well, guide what needs refining, and help swimmers recognise their own progress — it makes lessons more rewarding for everyone. As the term unfolds, it’s worth remembering that variety keeps lessons fresh, patience builds confidence, and structure supports progress. If you’re looking for extra support as the weeks get busier, the Swimming Teaching Toolkits were designed to help teachers feel organised, confident, and well-prepared - not just with lesson plans, but with best practice, progression ideas, and decision-making at poolside. You can explore the toolkits here when it feels useful: Here’s to a term where lessons flow, swimmers progress, and teaching feels rewarding. That’s all for this week. Here's to a successful year ahead. 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.
Hi Mark here, Happy new year! I hope all is well. If learning to swim 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...
Hi, Mark here — I hope you’re doing well as we reach the end of the year. This is the time when routines shift, pools get a little quieter, and many people focus on family, work, rest, or celebration. If you’ve found your swimming slowing down recently, please know this is completely normal - and nothing to feel guilty about. Learning to swim as an adult takes courage, consistency, and patience. And sometimes the best thing you can do for your progress is simply to pause, breathe, and come...
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.A chance to pause, reflect, and reset...