Our Passion
Helping you love the waterSwimming cultivates physical abilities like endurance, resilience, flexibility, strength, speed, coordination, agility, balance and mindfulness. It all begins with a single, fun lesson. With dedication and time, swimmers develop a deep understanding of their bodies in the water. Watching that transformation is pure joy.
Water covers most of our planet, makes up most of the human body and is essential to life. We attempt, in our lessons go beyond just teaching the mechanics – we help swimmers move through water with efficiency, fluidity, harmony and great ease.
Having seen my own children (now adults) go through the pressures of constant grading and assessment, I’ve chosen a different approach. No badges, certificates, just praise. Children do not always need an award to feel accomplished – they should experience their own progress within each lesson. Some skills come easily, others take time, but with persistence, we all improve.
I am delighted to have Kirstie as part of my team. Together, we teach all four strokes – along with tumble turns – to a high standard of swimming excellence and aim for a lifelong love of swimming.
Tanya
Years ago, watching my children’s swimming lessons was frustrating – more waiting than learning. A later AS and ADHD diagnoses, for my son, did help explain lessons frustrations! Their lack of enthusiasm at the end of their lessons pushed me to get my swim qualifications, unknowingly starting a journey back to something I loved as a child.
Growing up in Johannesburg, I spent most of the year in the water. My coach, Mrs Ravenscroft, encouraged me to train more, but I was never quite competitive enough for club swimming.
Now, as a teacher, my goal is for children to love the water first, and then master the skills. By building trust and confidence, I help them grow – not just as swimmers, but in everything they do.
With fun, patience, and persistence, we learn. Just keep swimming!
Kirstie
At five, I had my first swim lesson in a bright red Minnie Mouse swimsuit—but fear took over. I cried and refused to get in for weeks. Thankfully, my patient teacher and determined parents kept me going.
That terrified girl later became a lifeguard and swimming teacher before spending 20 years in the corporate world. I returned to swimming when my son, Harry, was born, joining Tanya’s parent-and-child classes. Inspired by her teaching and Harry’s love for the water, I surprised Tanya by telling her I wanted to teach with her! Retraining was intense, but here we are all these years later.
SwimFish’s nurturing, pressure-free approach is right. Teaching brings pure joy, every lesson rewarding – seeing confidence and skills develop in the water.
