What is your swimming background and experience?

I had swimming lessons as a child and always felt more comfortable  in a slow breast stroke. I always ran out of breath and got tired doing front crawl. I thought front crawl was for natural athletes – not me! But I could plod along for 2.5k and enjoyed it.

I always liked swimming and would always take the opportunity to go in the sea or have a half hour in the local pool

In 2022, in my late forties I started swimming at Luxborough Lake and quickly got addicted. I loved the outdoor fun with friends, being in nature, not having to swim in a lane and wait for other swimmers to turn. As winter progressed, the cold water immersion was exhilarating!  Once spring and summer came round, I started going twice a week, then three times.

What was your motivation for improving your technique?

I’d been waiting for a complex hip replacement surgery and in spring 2025 it was finally time. Recovery time was expected to be at least 3-6 months and of course I wanted to know how soon I could get back to the lake.

The surgeon said that when it came to rehab, I should start off with front crawl and not swim breast stroke initially. I had been attempting a few short stints of front crawl in the lake but couldn’t sustain it for more than 50m. 

These are not Helen’s Hips, but will give you an idea.

What led you to lessons with Susan?

I’d heard people at the lake recommending Susan, and I thought if I came along to one of her one day efficient freestyle workshops before the surgery, I might be able to do a bit more than 25m once I could get back in and start the rehab.

How did you feel about coming to your first lesson?

I didn’t think too much about it as I didn’t know what I didn’t know!

How have lessons improved your swimming?

The one day lesson was completely life changing. I learned to change everything about my technique.

What do you like about the lessons and what’s a challenge?

In the workshop as I was still waiting for my operation, I couldn’t do a lot of the rotation work as my right hip in particular had zero mobility! Susan is such a good teacher that I was still able to learn and improve so much. 

I loved seeing the before and after video, it made it visually crystal clear what needed to change.

What is your proudest swimming related achievement?

The surgeon was super cautious about rehab, so it ended up being 5 months before I could get back in the water, a full six months since the workshop with Susan.  On one of those first  sessions back in the lake, trying out my new techniques, I found myself effortlessly shooting past my husband who has always been a better swimmer than me. 

Are you training for anything at the moment?

No, but I’m still swimming at the lake twice a week, all front crawl now and loving it.

Funniest swimming moment?

Attempting to get an outdoor swimming fix whilst on a weekend away with friends in Stratford on Avon: we were pursued out of the river by hungry swans. Not recommended as a swim spot. The most I have laughed is after swimming at Lea Valley amid chunks of ice. But I think this may have been borderline hypothermia, rather than anything being actually funny!

What are your future aspirations and dream goals?

My goal is now to keep improving and attempt Swim Serpentine next summer

Any other comments from your learning experience?

Completely life changing! Cannot recommend highly enough.