The Whole Swimmer
Blogs
Ideas, research and practical thinking about swimming, teaching and the person in the water.
10 posts
Observation Is a Swim Teacher's Superpower
Before we can teach effectively, we need to see clearly. This post explores why observation is the most underrated skill in swim teaching — and how to sharpen it.
The Person Before the Swimmer
Are we teaching the person in front of us, or the swimmer we expect to see? This post explores what learners bring to the pool — and what teachers bring too.
Why Adults Hold Their Breath in the Water
Breathing difficulties in adult swimming involve more than technique. Understanding the swimmer's experience helps teachers choose a useful next step.
Stocking Fillers or Purposeful Practice?
Five minutes left at the end of a swimming lesson. Do we simply fill the time, or can those few minutes become an opportunity for learning, observation, confidence and choice?
The Catch That Changes Everything: Early Vertical Forearm
EVF is one of the most discussed concepts in competitive swimming — and one of the most misunderstood. Here is what it actually means, and how to teach it.
The Tablet Is a Tool, Not the Teacher
Technology has become a familiar sight on poolside. Used well, it can make teaching more organised and informed. But there is an important distinction: the tablet is a tool. It is not the teacher.
Why Swim Teachers Need to Read More — and Write More
The profession is rich with tacit knowledge that rarely makes it onto the page. Here is why that matters, and what we lose when experienced teachers stop sharing.
Same Skill, Different Route
When a swimmer attempts a skill but does not quite achieve what the teacher is looking for, repeating the same instruction is rarely the answer. The skill may not need to change — the route into it might.
Who Looks After the Swim Teacher?
A swim teacher may spend hours surrounded by people, yet have surprisingly little meaningful contact with another adult. The overlooked wellbeing of the person standing poolside.