I’m Swim + Tonic Kath. One of the hats I wear is a swimming one. I’ve also worn a Swim Instructor one for over 15 years and currently wear a Beach Lifeguard one too.
I grew up by the sea. I have lived inland, worked and played in cities, love the countryside but always come back to the space and light of the seaside. It’s my home.
I’ve swum competitively, surfed, windsurfed, rowed, done triathlons and get strangely obsessed with swim technique from time to time. In fact, I just love learning technique. Doesn’t have to be water based – snowboarding and climbing have also consumed me in the past. Doesn’t have to be a sport either – I play drums too. I’ve never been a super fast learner – I like being able to take my time and apply a bit of thought – but I love just being able to focus on something and go deep into it.
These days I swim mainly for fitness, to be outside and because the people I meet through swimming are generally excellent. I do put in the odd challenge – for instance my first open water swim was at the 2005 London Triathlon, last summer I did a Rampion windfarm relay and in March this year I swam 10K in the pool. I also attend coached sessions regularly myself and am learning as a swimmer and coach all the time.
This business exists however because I love teaching and coaching. I taught swimming to children for years, starting when I was a teenage club swimmer and taking it up again once I had my first child in 2006. That same year I also did a Diploma in the Shaw Method of swimming, marrying the Alexander Technique with swimming – teaching people to swim without strain. After years of training in a pool as a youngster, I started seaswimming when moving to Shoreham in 2005 and qualified as an Open Water Coach in 2019. I am often described as relaxed as a teacher, because that is what I need as a pupil. As a coach it thrills me to see people getting stuck in and often achieving more than they thought they could.
My pupils range from those who are apprehensive about going out of their depth in the sea or putting their faces in, to those who wish to enter events. You can read more about some of the people who come to my sessions on my Instagram or Facebook page.
I have the following qualifications:
ASA Level 2 Swim Teacher
ASA Open Water Coach
SLGB Beach Lifeguard
Shaw Method Swimming Diploma
First Aid At Work
Level 2 Diploma Counselling
I live on Shoreham Beach, approximately 400m from the water. I have a husband and 3 children and when I’m not on the beach, or roaming the local countryside, I love the creative arts and music.