Turtle Splash Swim School in Weston celebrates one year anniversary after helping 2,000 people to learn to swim
A swimming teacher who took the plunge by starting her own school a year ago has stayed afloat in style — teaching more than 2,000 youngsters since opening.
Nicole Ashby launched Turtle Splash Swim School at Church View House in Weston on July, 3 2023 in a private building with a swimming pool that was converted during lockdown and hired out.
Mrs Ashby, who lives in Spalding, decided to leave her previous job to dive into her new venture and has now added another venue and staff to her business teaching children life skills through swimming.
She said: “Since taking the plunge I feel amazing and I am proud as a lot of small businesses don't manage to get to a year.
“It has been a life changing experience and to see the change in our students’ abilities whilst being with us is so rewarding.
“Every child should learn to swim as more than 40 people a year in the UK die from drowning, so the importance of learning to swim is crucial.”
To mark the occasion, the school will be holding a celebration on the year anniversary — today (Wednesday) — with sweets and balloons at the swimming pool.
She said: “I want to make the kids feel involved but trying to find turtle toys is quite difficult.”
Mrs Ashby has expanded her staff to four fully qualified swimming coaches and opened classes in a pool in Downham Market teaching children as young as one to learn to swim.
She said: “The thrill of it for me is that they come in completely new to swimming with no experience and leave us fully confident in the water.”
“Parents know when they go on holiday, they can save their own life if they get into difficulty in the water.
“A lot of children are absolutely petrified of water and a lot of people can't swim as adults which is quite scary.”
Swim teachers use tried and tested techniques to encourage anxious youngsters into the pool and toys and a hug normally goes a long way when little ones are upset.
She said: “Some children we have had since opening a year ago and they are still with us today and most have gone from not being able to swim at all to now swimming full lengths of the swimming pool within a year which is a great achievement.”
“There are many techniques we do in our lessons, from learning to float and get back to the sides to jumping in fully submerged and finding and swimming to the side of the swimming pool.
“Learning to swim is a lifesaving skill for youngsters and a crucial skill to learn.
Mrs Ashby has recruited extra staff since opening to accommodate the popularity of the private swimming lessons.
Each teacher works different shifts and days and they are always looking for more swimming teachers.
Turtle Splash is open Monday to Friday from 10-2pm and 4pm-7pm and is keen to teach parents and babies.
She added: “ We are working towards being able to provide adult and child lessons for babies as young as three months old.
“Teaching babies to swim right from the beginning is a great thing for parents to do.
“It creates a strong bond as well as getting each baby used to the water at a young age”
For further information contact swim@turtlesplash.co.uk and visit Instagram and Facebook.
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