Clare
I was an early but slow learner of swimming as a child but once I got the hang of it, it became my freedom and sanctuary, I was like a dolphin in the water (with size 10 flippers to boot!) My vocation in life was always to teach. I started studying a teaching degree then life took me in a different direction in management. After having my daughter and taking her swimming, I finally found the missing piece of the puzzle! I then retrained to combine my love of children and teaching with one of my oldest held pastimes of swimming. I absolutely love babies and children and get sheer joy from the experience of teaching them and seeing each little one's achievements – I hope this always shines through in my teaching.
Elodie
Hello, I’m Elodie! I’ve always had a passion for sport, health, and development, and I’ve worked in the swimming industry for several years now as an instructor, coordinator, and manager.
I have experience teaching children of all ages and abilities, including those with special educational needs (SEN). I love helping children build confidence and develop new skills in the water, while creating a fun and supportive environment for them to thrive.
Fun fact: I’m very competitive when it comes to quizzes, board games and sports, so I enjoy bringing fun challenges into my swimming lessons!
Emily
Hello! My name is Emily and I am a mum to 2 beautiful girls. I have worked in Childcare for a long time, starting in nurseries and then eventually becoming a private nanny. I have worked with a wide range of ages throughout my career starting from tiny babies to school aged children. I have a degree in Childcare and Education and am pretty clued up on nursery rhymes and action songs (I think I will add the latter to my CV!)! My eldest daughter has been enrolled in swimming classes with First Swim since she was little and it’s through these classes that I met Shannon who inspired me to train as a swim teacher! So I trained whilst on maternity leave and have recently qualified and I cannot wait to start my First swim teaching journey!
Judit
Hi! My name is Judit and I grew up in a small town called Szentes in Hungary, which attained international fame in the water polo scene. Swimming was a huge part of my upbringing as I played water polo competitively for many many years. After becoming a mum of two, I trained to become a swimming teacher and I gained my STA qualifications over 6 years ago. I absolutely love teaching children and being part of their swimming journey. In my classes I always give thorough explanations of the exercises, so parents would understand how the lessons benefit their little ones and I make sure we have loads of fun, whilst building water confidence and developing skills.
Julie
I’m Julie and swimming has always been a big part of my life. I joined a swimming club from a young age and spent many weekends competing in swimming competitions. I continued to swim whilst at university and tried my hand at water polo (although I found water polo a bit too much for me!). After graduating from university, I moved to London for my job and got into triathlons in my spare time. I even met my husband in the swimming pool, at the triathlon club I joined! In my previous working life, I was an Accountant, but after having my 2 children I decided it really wasn’t for me. Swim teaching was suggested to me and after doing an initial course I got a real buzz from it. I started a swim teaching job with children and loved it. I have got so much joy from swimming over my life, I feel passionate about teaching this essential & fun skill.
Layla
Hey, Layla here! My love for the water started early and takes me to the island of Crete every summer, where I spend almost all my time in the sea. Nothing brings me more joy than guiding swimmers on their journey from initial splashes to confident strokes! My ultimate dream is to make swimming accessible to everyone so more people can learn this vital skill and fall in love with the water.
Maya
“Maya” means water in various ancient languages. Born and raised alongside the Mediterranean Sea, I have an unsurprising love for the water with swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving my absolute favourites! At four months old, I took my son to swim with me at First Swim and he LOVED it. During our lessons, I fell in love with the idea of teaching myself and it’s work that gives such satisfaction and joy to everyone and really connects parents and children. I went on to complete the STA Swim teaching and Safeguarding training courses for baby and pre-school children, young people and vulnerable adults. Throughout my life I have worked extensively with a variety of audiences and clients, and now I'm loving this new and exciting start as a swimming instructor and love working closely with so many excited babies..and parents!
Meghan
Hiya I’m Meghan! Being active has always been a big part of my life, especially being part of different sports teams. I've worked with children of a wide range of ages and abilities, including those with special educational needs & disabilities (SEND). My aim is to make every lesson engaging, positive, and inclusive, so each swimmer feels supported and encouraged to reach their full potential. I've been fortunate to spend much of my life living internationally, including in the United States, the Middle East & Singapore. Growing up in different parts of the world has given me a broad perspective & the confidence to connect with people from all backgrounds. I was also a competitive swimmer, which helped develop my discipline, determination, and love for the sport!
Natalie
I love swimming! I joined my 1st swimming club at age 8 and swam with them until I was 18. As a teenager as well as training I would help with the younger children’s lessons which I really enjoyed. Unfortunately after leaving education a job in the city of London meant I was no longer able to get to the pool regularly to train. In 2009 I quit corporate life and moved to Dubai with my husband and had my son. He and I went to baby and toddler swim classes in Dubai which were great and he was a total water baby, he still swims regularly so if not in the pool teaching I’m poolside watching! When he started school I decided to train & qualify as a swim teacher and taught baby and toddler lessons in some amazing pools around Dubai.Swimming in Dubai is an integral part of life with pools in every school and the majority of people having access to a pool from their homes. It was great being there at the start of children’s swimming lives and then watching some in school galas a few years later.I left Dubai in April 2019 and I’m excited to be getting back into the pool again with babies & toddlers, albeit in less sunny climes!
Sara
Hello! I have always enjoyed swimming recreationally and took my girls to swimming classes from when they were a few months old, this gave them a great start and love of the water.
I spent many years working as an editor for breakfast television but when my eldest started school, I found the shifts didn't work well with the school run and homework so decided to retrain as a swimming teacher, and I have never looked back!! I enjoy teaching all ages to swim (my oldest student was in her 80s) and I have been teaching baby swimming for over a decade.
My two girls are now lifeguards, the eldest also teaches when she's back from uni and the youngest has just finished her swim teacher training whilst studying for her A levels, so I seem to be keeping it in the family!
Sarah
I first discovered the joys and benefits of baby swimming with my first child, so much so that it inspired me to make a career change and have been teaching since 2011. I've now got three children (all of whom love the water). My eldest child has Down Syndrome, baby swimming is inclusive of all children and benefits both parent and child. I love teaching children of all ages. It's wonderful to watch the relationships between parents and children and to see their progression and confidence build in the water.
Shenay
Hello, I’m Shenay. One of the things that I consider myself the luckiest in life is that I spent my childhood in a town by the sea. I learned to swim by myself by playing in the sea with my friends, so the sea and swimming are a lifestyle for me!
Therefore, it is very valuable for me to be able to instil this love in children! There are many different beauties to be discovered in the underwater world and it is very valuable for me that children can make these discoveries and importantly, they love the water. Swimming is the one of most important life skills that everyone should know. When I moved to England, I first started working as a lifeguard. After that I started my career as a swimming teacher which supported my desire to be in the water more and to share my passion. My biggest goal is to make children love going swimming, because swimming is much more than a sport!