About Me

I learned to swim when I was about 10 years old, self taught in the sea at Canvey Island and later at Watford Baths to an OK standard where I joined the Watford Swimming Club. Swimming is a skill that once learned to a particular standard you never forget it you just get unfit. So having had a 20 year break when I started working, I got back into the pool when my 5 year old joined the Hemel Hempstead Swimming Club and I qualified to start to teach and coach swimming. That was in 1989-91. I learned a vast number of skills and quickly became passionate about the sport again. In 1999 I gained a Diploma in Sports Psychology,(Newcastle University). I have the ASA Adult “Swim for Life” CPD 2013, I Obtained a Certificate in Education (Post 16) from the University of Hertfordshire and my Club Coach qualification in 2002. I have regularly attended Safeguarding workshops hosted by various organisations, and I always hold a current National Rescue Award for Teachers and Coaches.

In September 1993 I set up the Starting Blocks Swim School www.startingblocks.org.uk at The Cavendish School in Hemel Hempstead and I then added the roles of co-ordinating the swimming at the two local Primary Schools, Kings Langley & St Pauls Chipperfield following this I worked over the following Summer terms teaching in the outdoor pools in other local schools. I continued to gain more experience, In 1995 I took on some of the Learn to swim with the local Council in Kings Langley (Kings Langley Sport - Sportspace Kings Langley) and in 2000 I took on a range of Adult classes at the Local Pool. (Now Everyone Active)

In 2001/2 I gained my Club Coach Certificate whilst I was feeling my feet as Chief Coach looking after the Berkhamsted Sports Centre Swimming Club (Now Berkhamsted Swimming Club) in Berkhamsted

Currently, I still Co-ordinate and Teach at Starting Blocks Swim School which is now located in Grove Hill at The Astley Cooper school. I teach various ability adult groups at Everyone Active Hemel Hempstead, I am still involved with both Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead Swimming Clubs.

I believe that everyone has the ability to survive in the water and I believe that the sport offers a valuable life skill. There is a class out there somewhere that fits an individual need whether it is for a nervous beginner or a skilled ex competitive swimmer, I will always do my best to find one for them.