Passionate Swim Teacher gains third Swimming New Zealand Qualification

Wellington swim teacher Rachel Spencer has recently been awarded with her third Swimming New Zealand qualification.

Attending the Teaching Swimmers with a Disability (TSWD) course at the Tawa pool in April 2015 she has since been working to successfully complete her post course requirements.

Based at Easyswim Swim School, a Swimming New Zealand Quality Swim School, since 2006 Rachel also holds the SNZ Swim Teacher Award and Early Childhood Swim Teacher Award.

Rachel teaches all levels and abilities at Easyswim but says her main area of interest and expertise is in early childhood (5 years and under) and is the Early Childhood Programme Leader at Easyswim.

While early childhood is her main area of interest Rachel is now working to expand her experience working in the area of adaptive aquatics beginning with her latest qualification.

To complete her TWSD post course requirements Rachel has been working with siblings Charlotte, 8, and Noah, 5.

Rachel has been instructing the two since October 2015 with both of the young students gaining great new skills and confidence in the water under Rachel’s guidance.

At the start Charlotte would not fully submerge but was a keen learner and progressed quickly.  She can now fully and happily submerge, float unassisted on front and back, glide unassisted front and back and kick with a floatation device 14 metres on her front.

When Noah began his lessons he had to be coaxed into the water and would cling to the rail of the pool near his mother seeking reassurance.  He is now water confident, happily submerges, will float and glide unassisted on his front and can also kick a short distance on his front with a noodle.

“Working with Charlotte and Noah has been a marvellous adventure,” said Rachel. “We have a load of learning fun together and all three of us are experiencing plenty of success.”

“I love teaching swimming simply because it is intensely rewarding, it is a privilege to be part of a child's developmental journey and to make a difference, providing a skill for life, a life (saving) skill!”

If you are interested in the Teaching Swimmers with a Disability course or any of the Swimming New Zealand swim teaching courses visit our website for more information and to enrol.