With over 2,000 children coached weekly and a constant stream of 5-star Google reviews for our luxurious locations throughout London and Surrey, Swim Generation has been and remains trusted by thousands of parents. Established in 2012, Swim Generation is run by Christopher Whitworth, who began teaching in 2007 at Riverside Health Club in Chiswick, the UK’s largest private swimming school at the time. Christopher is supported by Tara Rahilly, Operations Manager, who has taught swimming for over 15 years and holds a degree in Physical Sports Education. Christopher and Tara collectively have 37 years of coaching and running a swim school experience between them. In this article, we will show you why parents choose Swim Generation for their teens.
‘We only select coaches that align with our high standards and values. Lessons are tailored for teenagers in small groups, and we have a 50-week-per-year schedule, which helps ensure that teens don't lose progress or interest.’ Christopher Whitworth, Founder.
Coach Expertise
All our coaches are highly experienced and fully qualified, and this is backed up by our intensive vetting process. Not only do they hold life-saving certifications, but they also must hold a Swim England Level 2 or STA Level 2 certificate. Additionally, a minimum of 2 years' experience specifically teaching private, semi-private, and group swimming lessons. This ensures that our coaching team is properly qualified and highly capable of teaching teenagers at various levels, from non-swimmers to club-level swimmers.
Coaches are also DBS-checked and undergo a specific safeguarding process before onboarding.
‘The instructors are professional, patient, and truly passionate about teaching.’ Ewa Kapturkiewicz, Google review.
Positive, Proactive Environment
Swim Generation maintains a strict maximum of 1:6 teenagers per group (often 1:1 to 1:3). Smaller coach-to-student group sizes help ensure quicker learning, progression, and less pool dwell time. We are often told by parents that this individual attention helps motivate their teens and keep them interested. This is supported by the comprehensive Swim England Health and Wellbeing Report.
Unlike many other programs, our swim coaches often teach from within the pool rather than from the poolside. This offers many benefits, such as improved safety, overcoming concerns (especially for beginners), mastering new skills and techniques with manual adjustments, and feedback from parents indicating it helps with coach bonding.
Water Safety To Swim Squads
Weekly swim lessons run year-round, catering to all skill levels from 12 to 18 years old. Those training for squads or already in squads usually take part in 2 or more sessions each week. Swim Generation offers a comprehensive and progressive learning pathway.
With a variety of teen swimming programmes, we can cater for nervous beginners through to squad swimmers. Over the past 15 years, we have successfully prepared hundreds of children for local swimming clubs and school teams.
Tailoring lessons and programs to individual needs, it helps ensure steady progress and positive experiences. We have a ten-stage programme, starting from entry level through to competitive swimming,
Further information can be found on our teens' swimming lessons page.
‘Lessons don't stop once teenagers can swim 150 meters. At Swim Generation, we provide a structured pathway so a teenager can walk into our pool as a non-swimmer and eventually leave as an athlete in a swimming squad.’ Tara Rahilly, Operations Director.
Pool Locations
All venues we utilise are carefully selected, and you have exclusive access to the pool during the lesson. Parents often mention that their teenagers are easily distracted and find it difficult to learn with shared use. We strategically position pools throughout London and Surrey. Below are four key reasons parents have consistently shared over the years for why our pool locations are important to teens.
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Social safety: It can help reduce anxiety, especially for less-experienced swimmers, since there are no strangers watching them, as evidenced by 1Swim England.
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Acoustics: Public pools can be busy and, as a result, noisy. This can distract learning and also impact coach communication. This fact is covered in the 2STA Swimming guide.
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Water quality: Public pools are often cooler, around 27°C, and more people using them can reduce water quality. Cooler temperatures can cause muscle tension and reduce learning, according to the 3Pool Water Treatment Advisory Group. Swim Generation pools are kept at a comfortable 29°C- 31°C.
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Adult environments: Having lessons in ‘aspiration-based’ facilities, such as those used by Swim Generation, helps retain swimmers, as evidenced by 4CIMSPA’s ‘Youth Engagement Strategy.’ It helps to distinguish pools as adult environments.
Having pools in various areas creates convenience for parents, reduces commute times and takes the chore out of travel. For a full list of our current locations, visit our find-a-pool page.
Parent Testimonials
‘We had a wonderful experience with Swim Generation. Anna was knowledgeable, calm, and made each lesson fun while still focusing on proper technique and safety. My child went from being nervous in the water to swimming confidently. Communication was clear, and progress was noticeable every week. Highly recommend to any parent!’ Małgorzata Filus, Richmond (Google Review).
‘With over 2,000 children taught every week across London and Surrey, including pools in Barnes and Petersham, they are one of the leading swim schools in the area. If you’re looking for a premium, supportive environment to help your child become water-safe and confident, we can’t recommend Swim Generation enough.’ My Richmond.
Summary
At Swim Generation, we have learned that effective teenage swimming classes require a balance of technical training delivered in a respectful and enjoyable environment. Whether you're looking to help overcome water anxiety, improve safety skills, or join competitive swimming, complete our online form to discover how we can support teens in staying engaged and motivated throughout the year for swimming lessons.
Sources:
3 - https://www.pwtag.org/rising-costs-blamed-for-drop-in-pool-temperatures/
4 - https://cimspa.co.uk/the-impact-of-physical-activity-professionals-in-2024/