As soon as I read what Susan had written on her website, I knew she was exactly what I needed: “I teach students how to co-operate with the water, understand how to co-ordinate and connect with your whole body, and create movement patterns to move through the water rather than work against it. Breaking swimming down into simple steps, students engage both body and mind to swim with more ease, efficiency and speed. This allows each student to learn great swimming technique right from the start and gives them the knowledge and understanding to become their own best coach.”
At my first private lesson at her London Bridge venue, Susan asked me to swim back and forth in the pool. When I surfaced, she said, “Let’s talk about your breathing.” Until that moment, I hadn’t realised I was holding my breathunderwater. Susan’s holistic approach aligned with my own and complemented my yoga practice.
Whenever I’m in London, I book a session with Susan. After each class she sends me an instructional video, with guided narration and annotations. I watch her videos over and over again. They’re one of the most useful tools I’ve ever received from a teacher.
During the SwimTrek holiday we stayed in a peaceful seaside town called Kas, and swam along the coastline, across bays, into caves, and from a Greek rock back into Turkish territory. At the historic city of Aperlai, we gazed at ancient ruins above and below the water. Despite the intense heat, the Mediterranean sea was clear and refreshing.
We swam an average of 5 kilometres a day for five days – typically 2.5 k in the morning and then another 2.5 k in the afternoon. In between, we ate a homemade lunch on our traditional Turkish gulet, played in the water, and rested.
The trip was an absolute thrill for me and a big achievement. I’d never before swum that far. And I’d never before swum with such an experienced group of swimmers in open water.
With Susan’s help over the last couple of years, I’ve managed to improve my technique, but I’m still figuring out how to speed up. During the trip I felt so supported by my fellow swimmers, and such a strong sense of solidarity, companionship, safety, and fun. Even when I couldn’t see them, I could always sense there was someone swimming nearby. I especially loved the feeling of swimming together across bays, and of watching and learning from my fellow swimmers as they moved through the water.
I have great memories of my first SwimTrek trip in Mallorca in 2023, yet having Susan as our coach in Turkey made this trip stand out. It exceeded my expectations in every way and has made me feel very excited, and more confident, about my ability to become a stronger and faster swimmer.
I’m already dreaming about Susan’s next private swimming trip on the Dalmatian Coast, Croatia August 2026
