Why Are We So Passionate About Swimming?

Find out below…

OUR TEAM…

Has a lifetime of experience and incredible adventures that have made us the passionate swimming coaches we are today.

But why are we so driven to go above and beyond?

Here’s why:

Julia Raines

I began competitive swimming at just age 9, and started coaching at 16. Then, while studying law at University, I competed as a Master’s Swimmer in London.

But I’m not just a trained lifeguard, competitive swimmer and coach. I have also had the incredible experience of being the Head Coach at Carn Brea and Helston Swimming Club until July 2022, and Head of Swimming at Truro School since 2007.

And after taking on the challenge of open water swimming in 2015, I embarked on my biggest adventure yet…

An open water swim in the icy winter of 2021/2022, called the ‘Polar Bear Challenge’. This nerve-racking event involves swimming in the sea, rivers and lakes, in just a swimming costume.

I completed the Polar Bear Challenge that year with a huge smile on my face - and an even deeper understanding of what it’s like to face your fears. I understand the great level of courage required to begin a new challenge, and the patience, support and dedication it takes to help others do the same.

I can truly say that I have the best job in the world.

Qualifications

Level 2 Swimming Teacher
Parent and Child Teacher - Level 2 Swimming Coach
Pool lifeguard qualified - Royal Life Saving Society
Autism Awareness Level 2

Level 2 Coaching Open Water Swimming

Experience

Truro School - Head of Swimming 2007 – current
Carn Brea and Helston Swimming Club 2007:
Head Coach 2020 – July 2022
County Squad Coach 2018 - 2020
Junior Squad Coach 2014 - 2018 Voluntary Swimming Teacher, Helston Swimming Club 2011 - 2013
Sym Swim Swim School 2007 to 2014
St Ives Leisure Centre – Swim School 2007 - 2009

Amy Kiellor-Jolly

My mother being a swimming teacher means that I have been in the water since 3 months old.

I started at my local Carn Brea Swimming Club, and trained for hours to perfect my stroke technique, gain water confidence, and prepare for club, county and team competitions. And then I started racing - arena leagues, Cornwall and West Devon competitions, county championships and, soon after, becoming qualified for regional championships.

At age 7, I joined Hayle Surf Life Saving Club, later training for Cornish and national competitions.

At 13, I had already begun assisting in the water alongside another coach, and it was there that my love for teaching children to swim really flourished. At 16, I passed my Level 1 swimming teaching certificate, and 2 years later I completed Level 2.

And at 17, I undertook one of my most exciting adventures yet: traveling to Montpellier, France, to compete at the world championships in surf life saving.

I also hold a RLSS pool lifeguard certificate, which I use as a Lifeguard at Hayle outdoor pool and Truro Prep.

And of course, living in Cornwall means that every aspect of my life is tied to the water. From sea swimming, paddle boarding, surfing, snorkeling and exploring around the coast, the water has become my home.

Qualifications/Experience

Level 1 Swimming Teacher
Level 2 Swimming Teacher
Pool Lifeguard Certificate RLSS
Hayle Surf Life Saving
Hayle Pool + Truro Prep Lifeguarding
Truro Prep Swim Coach

Level 2 Coaching Open Water Swimming

Jowen Dupuy

Like many children my first experience of swimming lessons was via my Primary School when I was 5.

At 10 I was entering competitions and became the U12 intermediate champion. Gaining gold in 50m Breaststroke and 100m Backstroke at the County Championships, I was then motivated to qualify for the Regional competitions when I was 16.

Alongside my own swimming training I had regularly assisted at Truro Swimming Club and realised I enjoyed teaching others.

Initially qualifying as a pool lifeguard I have formalised my experience and also gained my Level 1 and 2 teaching Qualification.

Throughout my childhood I was involved in Surf Life Saving Club and was always on the beach. I love surfing, sea swimming and kayaking. This lead me to becoming a Beach Lifeguard, and spending my Summer lifeguarding in the sun.

Hayley Walker

I started my swimming career in Northampton at the age of 4 and was soon involved in the world of competition. My hard work and dedication saw me swim at National Level.

My mum established SWIMS (swim with Maggie Sharp) approx. 25 years ago and I would often be found demonstrating and volunteer assisting with the lessons. Realising that I had a desire to share my passion for the water and a love of helping people on their own swimming path, I gained my Level 2 teaching qualification in 2016 and my Baby & Preschool certificate in early 2017. Initially I taught with Aqualight and at SWIMS.

In 2019 I took a position with the local council delivering the swimming programme to schools whilst continuing to also teach alongside mum.

Following COVID mum sold her business and my family and I relocated to Cornwall. It was following this move I came across the newly established Squidlets Swim School. We have the same desire to ensure as many as possible are able to access the opportunity to achieve the life skill that is swimming.

BUT WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?

Simple:

We take a radically different approach to swimming. Because it doesn’t just take concrete experience to be an incredible swimming coach. You also need to think outside the box, develop a deep sense of empathy for each individual learner, and become in tune and receptive to each child’s needs.

BOOK A LESSON

Julia swimming lessons for kids in Truro

Because we know that swimming isn’t just about passing badges.

It’s about the child who overcomes their fears, and competes for the first time with a huge grin on their face. It’s about our learners not just becoming confident in the water, but flourishing in every single aspect of their life, as their confidence spills over into new pursuits, new challenges, new opportunities that they are now empowered to take.

And it’s about taking each child by the hand and giving them the devotion and patience they need to achieve things they never thought possible.

So sure, your child could learn how to pass badges at another swim school. But after having the honour of witnessing countless students transform with our coaching?

We know swimming is way, way more than that.

Kind words …

I can't recommend swimming lessons with Julia enough - she is just amazing and has shown incredible patience, creativity and understanding when teaching both of my children to swim. My daughter says she feels "...safe and relaxed as I know Julia is close if I need her but she lets me do things for myself. I have so much fun and am less worried when I've been in the water with her - I love jumping in the deep end!" My daughters swimming and confidence in the water have improved immeasurably and it's all thanks to Julia. My son is physically disabled and has many other additional needs requiring bespoke teaching ideas as well as lots of patience, but Julia used his interests (lots of splashing and jumping in the water!) to help him to learn to be safer in the water. He might never swim without support, but Julia is teaching him strategies to get to the surface if he gets into trouble in the water and swim in his own style to the side. He absolutely loves going swimming with Julia as he has so much fun as well as learning a life skill. She is just such an inspiring swim teacher, and a really lovely person who understands that our children all have their own unique challenges which need a nurturing touch.

Sarah
After my children attending group sessions elsewhere for years, we found out about Julia through recommendation. We started lessons with her to try to improve their technique, as it wasn’t improving to the level we felt they should be, after so many lessons. Within the first 10 minutes Julia had identified most of the areas that needed to improve and given them techniques, so by the end of the first session, my two looked more confident and competent swimmers. I was so surprised of the improvement within a 45 minute lesson. I can not recommend Julia enough, she has improved my children’s swimming so much in such a short space of time and they continue to exceed expectations. In addition my two love going to her lessons, they are energetic and varied each time so they don’t get bored. Half the time they don’t realise they are in a lesson, as they have so much fun.

Laura
Amy has helped to teach both of my boys to swim and they love their lessons with her. Amy makes her lessons fun, whilst improving their technique and distances at the same time. She is both easy-going and informative and they eagerly like to follow her instructions, aiming to improve each lesson. I have no hesitation in recommending Amy as your child's swim teacher."

Katrina
'' I have been meaning to email to thank you for the additional support you’ve shown Poppy whilst attending swimming lessons with you and also how great you were with Evan, he really enjoyed the lessons and it’s undone the damage caused by other swim schools. He feels it really helped him with his technique.''

Nicci