A note from Tes
Hi, I'm Tes.
I've been teaching swimming for over 14 years, and I honestly can't imagine doing anything else.
Over the years, I have worked with hundreds of swimmers, including many with very high fear levels. Some children arrive holding onto Mom or Dad for dear life. Some won't let go of the side of the pool while others may cling to the teacher's neck. Some don't even want to get into the water at all. And that's okay.
I don't believe swimming lessons should be a battle.
Children learn best when they feel safe, understood, and supported. That's why creating a calm, fun, and encouraging environment is so important to me. Every child learns differently and every child learns at their own pace. Our job is to guide them through that journey and help them build confidence along the way.
One of the things I am most passionate about is helping children develop a healthy relationship with the water. We don't force children underwater, and we don't believe in frightening them into learning. Trust comes first. Confidence comes first. Once those foundations are in place, everything else becomes so much easier. Then we can move on to technique, safety, breathing, floating, and all the skills needed to become a strong swimmer.
I have come to understand that we literally save lives. While this may sound dramatic, I have had parents and former swimmers come back years later to tell me about situations where the skills they learned saved their lives or the life of someone they love. Those conversations stay with me. They are a reminder that swimming is not just another extra-mural activity. It is a life skill that every child deserves to have.
I look forward to meeting you and your little one.