Published on February 27, 2025 | 8 min read | Swimming, Teaching, Personal Development
Teaching swimming is about more than strokes, drills, and technique—it's about creating a safe, empowering environment where swimmers learn, grow, and thrive. The Speak to Inspire series challenges us to rethink how we approach teaching by emphasizing connection, empathy, and inspiration. Over 10 days, we explored transformational ideas that can take swim lessons to a whole new level. Here's a recap of these powerful insights:
Day 1: Control to Connection
Teaching isn’t about controlling every movement—it’s about building trust. By shifting from rigid control to genuine connection, we create an environment where swimmers feel safe, valued, and eager to learn.
Invite participation instead of demanding obedience.
Foster understanding instead of setting rigid rules.
When we prioritize connection, confidence blossoms. Swimmers thrive when they feel seen and supported.
How do you build connection in your lessons? 🌊
Day 2: Pressure to Progress
Sometimes, pressure can create stress instead of results. True progress happens when swimmers feel supported and celebrated for their efforts, not just their outcomes.
Replace "You should be doing this by now!" with "Wow, look at how far you've come!"
Celebrate effort, not just results.
Progress is a journey, not a race. Let’s nurture steady improvement and make swimming a joyful experience for every learner.
Day 3: Instructions to Inspiration
Are you motivating or just instructing? Swimmers respond better when they feel inspired. Transform routine commands into exciting challenges that capture their imagination.
"Imagine you’re a dolphin!" 🐬 vs. "Kick harder!"
"Glide like a superhero!" 🦸♂️ vs. "Put your arms out straight!"
By inspiring creativity, we cultivate a love for the water and lifelong learners.
How do you bring inspiration into your lessons?
Day 4: Commands to Confidence
Instead of simply telling swimmers what to do, empower them to take ownership of their learning journey. Confidence grows when they feel capable and supported.
Try "Give it a go, and let’s see what happens!" instead of "Do this now."
Swap "You're not doing it right!" with "You're so close—let’s tweak this!"
Confident swimmers are capable swimmers. Let your words fuel their belief in themselves.
Day 5: Discipline to Dialogue
Strict discipline may work in the short term, but lasting learning comes from understanding the 'why.' Open dialogue encourages cooperation, curiosity, and respect.
Ask questions like "Why do we wait our turn?" to promote self-awareness.
Empower swimmers with discussions about safety and responsibility.
By replacing one-way instructions with meaningful conversations, we create a culture of mutual respect and understanding.
Day 6: Routine to Relationship
Lessons aren’t just about drills—they’re about people. While routines are important, building relationships creates a stronger connection and a more engaging learning environment.
Greet each swimmer by name.
Show genuine interest in how they feel about the lesson.
Care about their journey, not just their skills.
When swimmers feel valued, they engage more deeply and perform better.
Day 7: Correction to Compassion
Corrections are essential for progress, but how we deliver them matters. A compassionate approach encourages swimmers to keep trying and ensures they don’t feel discouraged.
Swap "That’s wrong" for "You’re getting there! Let’s adjust this part."
Instead of "No, not like that," try "Great try! Let’s see if we can make it even better."
Kindness builds resilience and fosters growth.
How do you offer corrections with compassion?
Day 8: Direction to Discovery
Instead of giving all the answers, encourage swimmers to explore and problem-solve. Discovery-based learning builds independence and confidence.
Ask questions like "What happens if you float like this?"
Let them experiment: "Can you find a way to move faster?"
Guide instead of dictate: "What do you think would help you go further?"
Curiosity leads to deeper learning and long-term skill retention.
Day 9: Authority to Approachability
Do your swimmers see you as someone they can trust or someone they fear? Shifting from authority to approachability creates a safe space for questions, mistakes, and growth.
Smile, laugh, and make lessons fun.
Ask for feedback: "What did you enjoy about today?"
Normalize mistakes as part of the learning process.
When swimmers feel comfortable, they take more risks and engage more fully.
Day 10: Expectation to Empathy
Every swimmer learns at their own pace. By teaching with empathy, we honor each swimmer's journey and create a space where they feel safe to grow.
Instead of "You should be able to do this by now," say "I see you’re working hard—let’s try it together!"
Replace "Everyone else can do it, why can’t you?" with "It’s okay to take your time. Let’s find what works best for you."
Empathy fosters confidence and empowers swimmers to thrive in their own unique way.
Conclusion: Speak to Inspire Every Day
Teaching swimming isn’t just about strokes and techniques—it’s about creating a positive, empowering environment where swimmers feel safe, supported, and inspired. By shifting our focus from rigid control to genuine connection, we transform the way we teach and the way our swimmers learn.
Let’s commit to speaking to inspire, every single day. 💙
Which of these shifts resonates most with you? How will you bring these ideas into your lessons?
About the Author: Helen Hughes is a certified swim instructor with 30 years of experience in adaptive aquatics and early childhood swimming education. She is passionate about transforming traditional teaching methods to create more inclusive and effective learning environments.
Note:
This blog post combines practical advice with emotional intelligence, making it relatable for both new and experienced swim instructors. The content is structured to be easily scannable while providing valuable insights and actionable tips.
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