Our Swimming Instructors
Clive Seawright
After a varied career, I discovered a talent for teaching swimming and found I had a passion for this. I had worked for some years as a fisherman and was appalled by my crewmates’ aversion to water skills. I set about training, first as a lifeguard and then as a teacher.
I qualified as an A.S.A. swim teacher in 1997 and rented our local council pool to run classes. These were very successful and soon I had a large waiting list.
Our dedicated teaching pool
I quickly realised there was a need for a dedicated teaching pool in the area and after 10 long years finally managed to build the Water School with my wife Jackie. During this time I also worked as a voluntary instructor with Irish Water Safety (I.W.S.) and went on to qualify as an examiner with I.W.S. and also an Open Water Risk assessment officer. In 2007/2008 I became a pool guard tutor and trained as a swim teacher tutor with I.W.S.
I love having the privilege to share my love of the water with so many people of all ages and abilities. Teaching swimming is a wonderful way to communicate with others and I often find I learn as much from my pupils as they do from me, maybe more!
Shirley McSweeney- Swimming Instructor
I really enjoy every aspect of swim instruction since I started in 2010. I challenge myself to learn new things and also practice what I already know. Similarly, it is such a privilege to impart knowledge and skills. Helping adults and children overcome water-related difficulties and fears, refining and developing skill progressions is both challenging and gratifying. And it is a bonus that I can have plenty of fun while working too!
One of my favourite games is ‘the swim through the waves’. Two rows of children facing each other, and holding floats on the water, vigorously push their floats forwards and backwards. Each swimmer then individually battles their way through the turbulent waves and splashes.
I have a B.Comm. Honours degree and a Speech and Drama Teaching diploma from London College of Music (A.L.C.M. T-dip).
Jackie Ovenden
My main job is running the Aquastretch and Aquafit classes. When Clive and I first built The Water School I was quite unfit and struggling with serious illness. I was astonished at how just playing about in the water (I’m not a brilliant swimmer!) helped to heal and strengthen my body. Now in my 50’s I’m fitter and stronger than at any time since my early 20’s.
I learned about water exercise (Aquafit) and water therapy (Aquastretch) so that I could pass this revelation on to other people. My favourite part of the class is the final few minutes of cooling down and stretching, I look around and everyone is smiling and relaxed and totally at ease- wonderful.
Ciaran Seawright- Swimming and Kayaking Instructor, Lifeguard Provider and Swim Teacher Tutor
Swimming has been a constant in my life, and wherever I go, I wonder where I may get to swim. From body surfing In the pacific to swimming in rock pools in the Amazon, dipping into ice cold lakes high in the mountains or lounging about in the Mediterranean and exploring our own beautiful shores and rivers. I will swim wherever I can because it is who I am. To be able to share the joy and freedom of time and confidence in the water is extremely rewarding which is why after more than 15 years teaching I am still at it.
I am Fully qualified as both a swimming teacher/ tutor, pool guard provider and level 2 kayak instructor. I run small kayak rolling workshops for people wishing to improve or develop their personal rescue skills, also upon request I meet people outside of the pool for coaching in both kayaking and swimming whether it be to develop a new stroke or work on confidence.
I love throwing myself into the water and having fun, and the more skills and awareness of safety we have the more we can get away with. I can be found at any time of year down by the shore, either getting in or getting out.