George set up Swimbabes with his wife Laura in 2003. He teaches hundreds of babies to swim each year at swimming pools in Sheffield and Chesterfield. Swimbabes teach more than 1,700 babies to swim each week.
“Swimming is an essential life skill. In 2009, ROSPA confirmed there were 405 water-related accidents in the UK. This is a staggering number when you consider that swimming is part of the National Curriculum. Knowing how to swim can save your life but the other benefits are clear too; it aids physical, social and emotional development for babies and parents alike.”
What do you enjoy about teaching babies to swim?
Even though I have been teaching babies to swim since 2003, I still get such a buzz seeing babies become great little swimmers as they progress through our swim program. As well as being qualified to teach Swimbabes classes, I am qualified to teach our Swimstars program for older children. I feel it so important to be able to teach skills that promote water confidence and water safety whilst having fun at the same time. Being able to teach these invaluable skills is so rewarding and worthwhile.
How long have you worked with Swimbabes?
Since 2003.
What pools do you teach at?
The Swim School in Chesterfield and Mylnhurst in Sheffield.
What’s your favourite baby swimming product?
Teddy Bear Float
What’s your favourite song, film and food?
Song: Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley
Film: The Untouchables
Food: All puddings!
14 years ago, Laura set up Swimbabes – a company dedicated to helping babies swim. Now, Swimbabes offer baby swimming lessons in 17 venues in the North of England, employs 22 staff and has around 1800 happy little swimmers attending sessions each week. Laura’s positive experiences taking her son Joshua to baby swimming lessons in Manchester, prompted her to set up Swimbabes in 2003 with one of her first baby swimmers being her 5 week old daughter Eve.
What do you enjoy about teaching babies to swim?
I always enjoy how surprised parents are by how much their little ones can achieve in the water at such a young age!
How long have you worked with Swimbabes?
Since October 2003.
What pools do you teach at?
I do not have a regular pool at the moment as I dropped my swim-time to concentrate more on running the company, so I just do cover teaching now.
What’s your favourite baby swimming product?
The Happy Nappy – it does an essential job and I think it looks really smart on our little swimmers.
What’s your favourite song, film and food?
Song: Everybody’s Free by Baz Luhrmann.
Film: I can’t choose just one!
Food: That’s easy – Hula Hoops
What do you enjoy about teaching babies to swim?
I love to see my little swimmers progress through the levels and become confident, independent swimmers. My son has gone through our programme and is a fantasic little swimmer,a and now my 2 year-old daughter is thriving in the pool! The satisfaction I get knowing I am teaching a life skill is so rewarding.
How long have you worked with Swimbabes?
Since 2008, and I still love every minute of it!
What pools do you teach at?
Inkerman House in Denby Dale.
What’s your favourite baby swimming product?
It has to be the Happy Nappy as they come in so many colours and serve a great purpose.
What swimming qualifications do you have?
STA Level 1 in Pool Emergency Procedures
STA Level 1 in Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
STA Level 2 Award in Swimming Teaching
What’s your favourite song, film and food?
Song: Any Robbie Williams song – I have seen Robbie Williams over 27 times and plan on seeing him as often as possible!
Film: Dirty Dancing
Food: Indian
What do you enjoy about teaching swimming?
Although I maybe one of the oldest teachers (though I don’t look a day over 35!), I still have still plenty of new, fresh ideas and plans. Babies and their parents are so individual and each child progresses at their own rate, which is what makes this job so challenging.
When did you start teaching swimming?
2007
What pools do you teach at?
Inkerman House and Cedar Court Hotel, both in Huddersfield.
What’s your favourite swimming product?
Seal sticks – great fun at many levels!
What are your swimming qualifications?
Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Level 2 Award in Swimming Teaching
Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Level 1 Award in Pool Emergency Procedures
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
Swimming Teachers Association Baby and Preschool Qualification
Associate Member of the Swimming Teachers Association
What’s your favourite song, film and food?
Song: The Wheels on the Bus!
Film: The Little Mermaid
Food: Fish finger sandwich with white bread & ketchup.
What do you enjoy about teaching baby swimming?
I love seeing parents and children having fun together in the water. It’s also really rewarding to watch the children develop through the programme into confident swimmers with an important life skill.
When did you start teaching swimming?
2014.
Which pools do you teach at?
Ravenscliffe High School in Halifax.
What’s your favourite swimming product?
The Woggles, because they help children develop confidence and independence in the water. They’re also great to use in all sorts of fun games.
What are your swimming qualifications?
Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Level 2 Award in Swimming Teaching
Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Level 1 Award in Pool Emergency Procedures
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
Associate Member of the Swimming Teachers Association
What’s your favourite song, film and food?
Song: Not the Only One by Sam Smith
Film: Top Gun
Food: Italian
What do you enjoy about teaching baby swimming?
It gives me joy seeing proud parents and happy children as they progress and feel more confident in the water.
When did you start teaching swimming?
2010.
Which pools do you teach at?
MyInhurst, Stocksbridge and Inkerman.
What’s your favourite swimming product?
The Teddy Bear Float, as it’s a great shape for giving demonstrations and keeping children amused.
What are your swimming qualifications?
ASA Level 1 Award in Teaching Aquatics
ASA Level 2 Certificate in Teaching Aquatics
STA Baby and Preschool Qualification
Level 2 Award in Pool Lifeguarding, Intervention, Supervision and Rescue
Swimming Teachers Association Membership
Level 2 Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Young People in Sport and Active Leisure
What’s your favourite song, film and food?
Song: ‘Big Jet Plane’ by Angus & Julia Stone
Film: Martin H (Argentinian)
Food: Asian
What do you enjoy about teaching baby swimming?
I love that the babies seem to really enjoy their time in the water, and their smiles and laughter make the job even easier!
When did you start teaching swimming?
I have been teaching with Swimbabes for nearly two years now.
Which pools do you teach at?
Inkerman pool in Denby Dale.
What’s your favourite swimming product?
The dive sticks, because they’re a fun way to encourage the children to go under the water.
What are your swimming qualifications?
Level 1 ASA Swimming Teacher
RLSS Lifeguard
What’s your favourite song, film and food?
Song: Twist and shout by the Beatles!
Film: Grease
Food: Pasta
Fun fact: I sat in front of Olly Murs on the Big Dipper at Blackpool Pleasure Beach.
What do you enjoy about teaching babies to swim?
I love to see the children start so young and progress through the programme; it’s a great feeling when a child graduates.
How long have you worked with Swimbabes?
Since 2007.
What pools do you teach at?
After returning from maternity leave, I currently work in the office and do cover at all our venues.
What’s your favourite baby swimming product?
Splash About Pink Baby Wrap
What’s your favourite song, film and food?
Song: Too many songs to choose from!
Film: Any film with a happy ending.
Food: Pizza
What do you enjoy about teaching babies to swim?
It’s a fun, exciting job and it’s nice to see babies develop their swimming skills over each term.
How long have you worked for Swimbabes?
Since 2013.
Which pools do you teach at?
Inkerman in Denby Dale, Tankersley Manor in Barnsley, Hilton Hotel Sheffield and Mylnhurst School in Sheffield.
What’s your favourite baby swimming product?
Zoggs Zoggy Dive Sticks.
What are your swimming qualifications?
Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Level 2 Award in Swimming Teaching
Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Level 1 Award in Pool Emergency Procedures
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
Swimming Teachers Association Baby and Preschool Qualification
Associate Member of the Swimming Teachers Association
What’s your favourite song, film and food?
Song: Rule The World by Take That
Film: Elf
Food: Spaghetti Bolognese
What do you enjoy about teaching swimming?
Seeing the progression the children make in our classes and the enjoyment they get out of them – it’s so rewarding!
When did you start teaching swimming?
I’ve been part of the Swimbabes team for over 4 years now (since 2012), and I love it.
What pools do you teach at?
Inkerman House in Denby Dale.
What’s your favourite swimming product?
Woggles, as they can be used by all ages and abilities.
What are your swimming qualifications?
Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Level 2 Award in Swimming Teaching
Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Level 1 Award in Pool Emergency Procedures
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
Swimming Teachers Association Baby and Preschool Qualification
Associate Member of the Swimming Teachers Association
What’s your favourite song, film and food?
Song: Human by The Killers
Film: Coyote Ugly
Food: Pasta
When I’m not teaching or in the office, I love spending time outdoors with my family, especially in the warmer weather; water skiing and wake boarding!
What do you enjoy about teaching babies to swim?
Being able to watch children develop their confidence and water skills, it’s also lovely being part of those special moments where you see how proud parents are of their little swimmer and the wonderful progress they are making.
How long have you worked with Swimbabes?
Since 2010, after having my son and wanting a career change in order to spend more time together as a family.
Which pools do you teach at?
Cedar Court in Wakefield, Ravenscliffe School in Halifax and Inkerman House in Huddersfield.
What’s your favourite baby swimming product?
My ‘Choo Choo’ Tubes – these really help the swimmers to become more independent on the Woggles, and it’s great fun making loads of train noises!
What are your swimming qualifications?
Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Level 2 Award in Swimming Teaching
Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Level 1 Award in Pool Emergency Procedures
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
Swimming Teachers Association Baby and Preschool Qualification
Associate Member of the Swimming Teachers Association
What’s your favourite song, film and food?
Song: Any song by Example.
Film: A Christmas Carol, but it must be the Patrick Stewart version!
Food: Tapas.
Fun Fact: I was recently lucky enough to take part in the live art installation ‘The Sea of Hull’ by Spencer Tunick which was great fun!
What do you enjoy about teaching babies to swim?
Having fun, and seeing children progress and enjoying the lessons.
How long have you worked with Swimbabes?
Since 2011.
What pools do you teach at?
The Swim School at Chesterfield, and Mylnhurst School, Stocksbridge Leisure Centre, and Dinnington Pool, all in Sheffield.
What’s your favourite baby swimming product?
Woggles, which are versatile flotation aid that children don’t become reliant on.
What’s your favourite song, film and food?
Song: Waggy by Blink 182
Film: Sci-fi classic Aliens
Food: The three C’s – chocolate. chips and cheese – all together!
What do you enjoy about teaching babies to swim?
Watching the parent see their child managing something new for the first time. For example – if they are a baby, their first underwater swim on their own, or if they are a little older, the first time they manage to swim across the pool all by themselves. I also enjoy it when the entire class collapses into fits of laughter from one of our fun activities.
How long have you worked for Swimbabes?
Since February 2016.
Which swimming pools do you teach at?
Cookridge Hall and Moorlands School in Leeds, and Inkerman House in Huddersfield.
What is your favourite baby swimming product?
The Happy Nappy, because I love the different ranges, colours and flags they come in. They provide everyone with confidence that there will be no accidental mishaps.
What are your swimming qualifications?
Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Level 1 Award in Pool Emergency Procedures
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
Swimming Teachers Association Baby and PreSchool Qualification
Associate Member of the Swimming Teachers Association
Whats your favourite film, song, and food?
Film: I could never choose just one, but mostly 1980’s comedies.
Song: Shine by Years & Years.
Food: I’m a sucker for a good curry, preferably with a monster garlic naan bread!
What do you enjoy about teaching swimming?
Watching the children grow in their ability and confidence.
When did you start teaching swimming?
2013
What pools do you teach at?
Inkerman house at Denby Dale, The Hilton Hotel in Sheffield and Mylnhurst School in Sheffield.
What’s your favourite swimming product?
The Woggle – great for all ages and abilities.
What are your swimming qualifications?
Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Level 2 Award in Swimming Teaching
Swimming Teachers Association (STA) Level 1 Award in Pool Emergency Procedures
Safeguarding Children, Young People and Vulnerable Adults
Swimming Teachers Association Baby and Preschool Qualification
Associate Member of the Swimming Teachers Association
What’s your favourite song, film and food?
Song: Voulez Vous by Abba for dancing, River Deep, Mountain High for singing in the car, and Sympathy for the Devil by The Rolling Stones for rocking!
Film: Anything with Johnny Depp in.
Food: Pies/tarts – all!
What do you enjoy about teaching babies to swim?
I love that you have an opportunity to teach a skill from such a young age but at the same time everyone is having fun.
How long have you worked with Swimbabes?
Since 2011
What pools do you teach at?
Inkerman House in Denby Dale.
What’s your favourite baby swimming product?
I love a splashabout snug. Perfect for those little one who either feel cool or like to be covered. Great for kids with excema as well as you can still hold them securely.
What swimming qualifications do you have?
STA Certificate. Full swim teacher.
STA Baby and preschool teacher.
STA Aquatic tutor.
STA Safety award for teacher’s.
What’s your favourite song, film and food?
Song: Cindy Lauper, time after time.
Film: Strictly Ballroom.
Food: I love it all, but Ramen is my current favourite.