What’s the biggest challenge you face when teaching an adult to swim - fear, technique, or simply unlearning old habits?

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Hey, Mark here, I hope you’re doing well.

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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 “one-size-fits-all” program.

Here are a few tips I lean on when teaching adults:

• Stay calm, relaxed, informal. That tone helps them relax and trust you.
• Adjust expectations & be flexible. What works for one swimmer might not work for another.
• Use tools—but don’t let them become crutches. Fins or paddles can help in early stages, but gradually wean them off.
• Praise progress (even small gains). At the end of each lesson, call out something they improved, however minor.
• Explain the “why.” Adults often want to know why certain techniques work—kicks, body position, stroke timing.

If you’d like a deeper dive, you can check out the full article “Teaching Adults to Swim” here.

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Spotlight: My Book — Teaching Adults How To Swim

Over the years, I’ve gathered many of these insights (and many more) into my book, Teaching Adults How To Swim. In it you’ll find:

Learn how to identify and address common adult barriers like:

• ✔️ Step-by-step lesson plans specifically designed for adult learners
• ✔️ Psychological strategies to overcome fear and anxiety
• ✔️ Practical pool exercises that deliver real results
• ✔️ Real-world insights from experienced adult swim instructors
• ✔️ Tools to build trust and create a safe, welcoming environment

Understand Their Struggles — and Help Them Overcome:

• Fear of deep water
• Body consciousness and embarrassment
• Negative past experiences with swimming
• Physical limitations or lack of coordination

If it sounds like something that could support your work (or a colleague’s), grab your copy here:

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​Buy Teaching Adults How To Swim eBook → right here​

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I’d love to hear your success stories teaching adults. Let me know. In the meantime, happy teaching.

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Warm regards,
Mark

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