Helen Hughes on Revolutionising Early Years Swim Education

Helen Hughes is the owner of Mini Water Adventurers and the creator of the Orca swim trainer.​

Helen is an experienced and dedicated swimming teacher with an impressive 30-year journey in shaping aquatic skills and fostering a love for the water. Her passion for teaching goes beyond the strokes and techniques; it extends into the realm of creativity, where she thrives on thinking of innovative games and activities to make children’s time in the water both enjoyable and enriching. Her classes are not just lessons; they are vibrant experiences filled with laughter, exploration, and a genuine love for the aquatic world.

Beyond her own aquatic classroom, Helen has become a source of inspiration for her fellow swimming teachers. Recognising the importance of a collective effort in creating a positive and impactful learning environment, she generously shares her ideas and experiences with others. Her guidance goes beyond the technicalities of swimming instruction; it extends to fostering a community of educators who are passionate about their role in shaping young lives.

Helen’s creativity extends to writing and self publishing a numerous books and resources for parents and swimming teachers.

In this enlightening interview, Helen shares her child-centred approach to swim education that moves away from traditional structured lessons to embrace purposeful play. She explains how her innovative methods engage children through creativity, imagination and exploration, fostering a lifelong love of swimming rather than causing the common dropout at age seven. Helen’s practical strategies and resources demonstrate how to make swimming lessons enjoyable learning experiences where children develop water confidence, safety awareness and essential skills through play.

In this episode you’ll discover:

• Why traditional swimming lessons often fail children and how purposeful play creates more engaged, confident swimmers
• The ‘SMART swimmer’ approach and why this holistic method keeps children safer than traditional techniques
• Creative, affordable resources that transform swim lessons from boring to brilliant through sensory exploration
• How stories and songs can enhance swim lessons while developing essential skills in a child-led environment
• The innovative Orca Swim Trainer that supports proper swimming position while allowing natural arm movement

Join Helen as she opens up her creative toolbox of swim education resources and shares her wealth of knowledge about making swimming lessons meaningful, playful and effective for our youngest learners.

Episode Links:

https://www.miniwateradventurers.com/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQheozVEY1G90tcob6T1e7g

https://www.facebook.com/groups/908294516301306/