Elba

Elba’s story is proof that swimming lessons are about more than just the lifesaving skills that they teach.  If you are ready to start your swimming lessons journey, please complete our enquiry form and our friendly team will be in touch.

Read on to find out how Elba overcame her anxiety at the pool.

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Elba’s mum introduced her to the pool when she was just 15 days old and she swam every week until she started school.  As Elba experiences anxiety which can be triggered by changes to her routine, unfortunately, the change to after school swim lessons and a change in teacher affected her and she decided to take a break.  After watching her older brother swim in lessons each week she then asked if she could swim again.  Elba’s mum Beccie explains how Elba has overcome her anxiety at swimming and the challenges they faced along the way.

“Elba suffers with mild anxiety which is triggered by new situations.  For her going back every week has been a tremendous achievement.  Situations like new teachers or switching from widths to lengths will trigger her anxiety.  There was one week where she spent 25 minutes unable to get into the water and the anxiety won, but she keeps persevering.  We’ve been lucky that the pool have been able to keep us with the same teacher for stages 3,4 and 5 this has really helped with the transition between lessons.  Elba has also recently taken part in a diving session.  Initially she was unable to stand on the block without the teacher holding her hand, now she is diving in by herself and smiling from ear to ear.

 

Swimming lessons have really helped Elba with scheduling, she knows what day swimming is and it really help that it’s on 50 weeks of the year too.  It’s given her the confidence to know that she is able to complete tasks and master skills, even if it’s not straight away.

Swimming lessons are about more than just the obvious lifesaving skill.  As non swimming parents we were sure from the start that we wanted our children to be able to swim, not just for the skills but also for leisure.  Being nominated for swimmer of the year at our local centre was a huge confidence boost for Elba."

We also asked Elba how she felt about her lessons, this is what she had to say.

What do you love most about swimming lessons?

I like that they're fun and that I can learn different skills in the water. I really enjoying doing handstands in the water too!

What’s the best thing you have learnt at swimming?

The best thing I have learnt at swimming is learning to do forward rolls in the water. 

Now you can swim are there any other water based activities you have tried or would like to try?

I'd really like to learn how to swim like a mermaid, with flippers and a tail. 

Your teacher nominated you for our swimmer of the year award, is there anything you would like to say to her?

I really like her, she’s a really good teacher. She always makes me feel happy, especially when I get a bit worried about new things. She makes swimming lessons super fun.