Hannah – Swimming Teacher – Darlington

Hi, my name is Hannah. I’m based at Darlington Bannatyne and teach on Tuesdays and Sundays. I have a long-standing background in competitive swimming, beginning in learn-to-swim programmes and progressing all the way to county, regional, and national championships, including the Scottish Nationals. I specialised in backstroke, and my strongest event was the 200m backstroke.

I hold a degree in Sport and Exercise Science and Psychology, which gives me astrong understanding of skill acquisition, motivation, child development, and how tocreate supportive learning environments. This knowledge underpins my teaching style and helps me tailor lessons to suit the needs, confidence levels, and personalities of each swimmer I work with.

Alongside my academic background, I have extensive experience in the swimming environment. I’ve volunteered as both a swimming teacher and a coach, supportingchildren across a range of ages and abilities. These roles strengthened my technical coaching skills and taught me the importance of patience, reassurance, and adapting sessions to allow every swimmer to thrive. I have also worked as a lifeguard and competed in lifesaving sport, which deepened my appreciation of water safety and the life-saving value of being able to swim confidently.

Sport has always been a major part of my life. I’ve raised money for charities through swimming events, competed in biathlons combining swimming and running, and taken part in a range of running challenges. These experiences have taught me resilience, discipline, and the value of setting and achieving personal goals.

As a teacher, my priority is to create a positive, confidence-building environment. I teach all of my lessons in the water, allowing me to support swimmers closely, demonstrate techniques effectively, and help beginners feel safe and reassured. Every lesson is personalised to the individual, focusing on steady progression, good technique, and making learning fun and motivating.

My aim is for every swimmer, regardless of age or experience, to leave each session feeling proud, confident, and excited to continue their journey. Having swum my entire life, I’m passionate about helping others develop the same confidence, comfort, and love for the water that swimming has given me.