The Peaceful Swim Teacher

This is a bit more of an in depth look at some of my base philosophies. Put simply, I don't use punishments or rewards in relating to childen. I use connection and respectful support, to support children in swimming and beyond. This post (written by me) is shared here for anyone who has interest in it.

https://suburbanautistics.blogspot.com/2024/05/this-world-cant-have-my-kids.html?m=1

"The expert in anything was once a beginner.

Helen Hayes."

More than the potential we are often able to work toward in the swimmers we work closely with, I believe this industry as a whole needs to understand the unrealised potential in swimmers all around us.

This has personal relevance for me because I spent many years as a child in high quality coached and prepared training sessions. Yet the wider story of my life was a huge barrier that was invisible to my coaches. To me, certain things were normal but I lacked the social connections to be supported and to thrive. I lacked the knowledge to support myself out of the barriers I faced.

I had situations ocurring in my Out Of The Pool life, which impacted severely upon my time in the pool. Things such as sexual violence, sleep deprivation, inadequate nutrition, mental health distress, family conflicts, and neglect.

It is hard for me to talk to other ex competitive swimmers sometimes because we often immediately ask about one another's achievements to understand the commonalities we had and what kind of training we went through. For me, I feel I was chronically undersupported outside of the pool and in my wider life. My achievements are less than that of my peers with similar ability and experience. I find it embarrassing and sad to say to other swimmers, well I didn't achieve much as a swimmer actually. I know I should have and could have done more. The results at competitions don't mean as much as my barriers.

I had less access to equipment, competitions, social connections, food, rest, travel, emotional support, and wider opportunities; than my training peers. I don't believe my potential and ability is any less but the circumstances of my wider life had impacts upon my swimming.

My own background is one of the reasons I am so passionate about holistic, respectful swim access for everyone. Athletes know themselves and it is only through caring communication and relationships with them that we can support them and understand their swimming. It also is just the right thing to do to nurture and support people. Our life is far more than swimming and if we don't know this then our swimming will also suffer. We need to be in alignment to have success. We also need to be cared for holistically to be at our best.

We don't know what someone is going through or what else might be impacting upon them and we would all do well to remember this. Respect and care is always the right choice.

(Image is Fable at an aquathlon event).

Many people understand the idea of gentleness and peacefulness for kids. Something harder though, is the underlying social systems which took those things away in the first place.

Why is respect for children and an honouring of their human rights, not the default? Why do we have to search (like a needle in a haystack) for the educators who will respect the personhood of our kids in the water? Who won't gaslight us if our kids don't thrive with their offerings?

The answer, is Childism. Sometimes called Adultism, this is systemic discrimination against children. Like other kinds of social violence, it is everywhere.

This intersects with swimming because everything we have been shown and taught about interacting with children, is violent and has childism embedded within it. Including swimming.

Wellbeing for children (which then also allows their success in other ways), involves protection from childism to allow them to thrive, just as much (maybe more?) as it involves someone who is skilled in the thing they are teaching. Addressing childism, is the only way to support children holistically at present time.

I believe children everywhere are being prevented from reaching their potential, by lack of understanding of Childism. I believe the future of sport and educating; will involve addressing it. This little movement of peace in swimming instruction, is just the beginning.

Image is myself with one of my children.

Here is Evie working on her dives at HBF 🥰

Swimming tends to be something that people take seriously in Australia. It has come to be seen as important for drowning prevention and is embedded into life and early childhood for many families now.

Using my skills not primarily for money (meaning - not as the goal itself but seeing it a byproduct when you become skilled at something and approach your skills with passion and authenticity) but to support my children through their complex and individualised aquatic educations; has been one of the best choices I ever made. Imagine not needing to use swim schools or swim clubs unless they seemed the right fit- that is my life with my kids and I take protecting them seriously. There is no window for learning something that closes, no arbitrary levels, and no way something "has to" be.

This industry is still my business but I'm driven by heart.