Who are we?

Swimming in the blood, well when your Grandfather was the founder of a swimming and water polo club in the 1930s it is!

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From before I could walk I was taken to the pool, learnt to swim and then did competition swimming as a child, but that was soon taken over by a 30 year water polo career. Playing for Parogon based in Newcastle under Lyme we progressed to be one of the top 10 clubs in the country from a home based team.

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It was water polo that gave me my first experience of coaching and teaching, coaching the club juniors we attained GB representative honours with our players and were a successful junior team. Having played for the Midlands under 20 Team I was privileged to be asked to coach the team for a few years.

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On a hiatus from living in Staffordshire I also played for and coached City of Cambridge in the National League.

On returning to Gods own country, yes Stoke, I started to teach at the club with my dad and we have seen our former pupils go on and race for the local clubs COSACS & Newcastle. During this time the water polo team folded – we all got old and had kids – and some bright spark suggested we do the Great North Swim and that was that, open water became the new passion. My peak was winning the Buttermere Mile and the Media City Swim Challenge 1500m in 2023.

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Then another bright spark said how about going to a swim, then jump on your bike and then go for a run – and yes I did!! A half ironman later I am presently planning next years events calendar, what will that bring…

Covid saw us loose the use of the pool and sadly the club folded and I have decided to reassess my priorities. So here I am!!!

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Away from the pool I am a family man with two kids, we love spending time away especially by the sea in our caravan – our happy place! I race in triathlons and take great pleasure in helping others reach their goals in this. 

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I bring a wealth of experience in swimming, teaching (I am an ex secondary school teacher), and my passion is passing this onto people so that they can learn to love swimming as I do. Young or old, you are never too old to enjoy the water and learn this essential life skill.

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Qualifications

• Institute of Swimming

  • Level 2 Teacher

  • Baby & Toddler

  • SEND Specialist

• Swimming Teachers Association

  • Open Water Coaching

• Institute of Aquaphobia

  • Advanced Coach

  • Tutor

  • Centre of Excellence

• Royal Lifesaving Society

  • National Pool Lifeguarding Qualification 

  • Open Water Upgrade