New purpose-built pool opens in swimming teacher’s West Grinstead garden

After starting work on the pool in December last year, West Grinstead Swimming Academy was officially opened for the first time on Saturday, July 25, following further easing of lockdown restrictions.

It is located in the garden of swimming teacher Vikki Heal who has been teaching children of all ages how to swim for more than six years with Puddle Ducks.

Victor Heal, Vikki’s husband, said: “Clients follow Vikki from pool to pool, and up the age group ladder, specifically asking where and when she will be teaching.

“She was awarded National Teacher of the Year in 2018, as nominated by her clients.

“Over those years it became clear that there is a serious lack of small pools available to teach babies and children, and that most of those were simply not designed or built for that purpose

“We are lucky enough to have a big garden, so thought ‘why not build a dedicated teaching pool, with all the facilities normally lacking, like changing rooms, viewing areas, car parking, etc?”

Group lessons will be held throughout the week and weekends, with Puddle Ducks (East Surrey) for babies, and The Sussex Swim School for older children (five years and above).

SLK Aqua Yoga will also run various Aqua Yoga classes, from post- and ante-natal, to water based therapy classes, and lots inbetween.

Victor said: “West Grinstead Swimming Academy is very much a family-run business, with Vikki teaching from the pool for Puddle Ducks, and also offering private, one-to-one lessons when required.

“Our 15-year-old daughter, Annabelle, works as a poolside assistant for Puddle Ducks, and will continue to do that from our pool

“We are also very pleased with the local response. The emails we have received from local parents have been inspiring and heart warming.

“ Teaching babies to feel confident in the water, and then children how to swim, is not only fun for them, but an essential life skill to have.

“Local parents in our area seem to not only agree, but are also thrilled with the prospects of having such a dedicated facility on their doorstep.”

For more information, visit www.wgsa.co.uk

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