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Hi! I'm Mark, creator of Swim Teach

The hardest swimmers to teach? Adults. Discover why and what to do.

Published about 2 months ago • 1 min read

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 “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.

Spotlight: My Book — Teaching Adults How To Swim

I’ve gathered 30 years of teaching adults and compiled them into one book, Teaching Adults How To Swim.

Inside, you will discover:

  • ✔️ 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

​Instantly Preview my book here.​

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

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.​

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

Warm regards,
Mark

PS - have you missed any of my previous newsletters? Click here for a list of them all.​

PPS - did someone forward this to you and you're looking to subscribe? 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.

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