The Institute of Swimming has partnered with Fin2Fit to deliver its Mono-Fin CPD teacher training. Qualified teachers will be able to deliver Mono-Fin Mermaid and Shark lessons and parties, as a new and exciting approach to keep children interested in swimming.
Fin2Fit offers the UK’s only Swim England Accredited Mono-Fin classes, along with a Mermaid & Shark Award Scheme Programme for children, creating a new exit route for the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme. Pupils can join a Fin2Fit class once they have completed Level Five in their Swim England Learn to Swim Awards. They are then taken through from a bronze award to gold, with the potential to go onto synchronised swimming and Fin Clubs. There are currently more than 160 qualified instructors in the UK already with an ever growing demand.
Emma Longden, Owner, Fin2Fit, says:
“We are excited to be working collaboratively with the Institute of Swimming; this relationship ensures all Fin2Fit teachers will gain their CPD via Institute of Swimming instructors, ensuring Fin2Fit teachers have the best qualifications to deliver inspirational, fun and safe classes.
“Children love becoming mermaids and sharks and learning new skills. The classes are lots of fun, but it was important for us that the Fin2Fit lesson content was accredited by Swim England, as this is the stamp of approval parents trust. Fin2Fit classes are not a gimmick; children are nurtured, trained and assessed. Each class includes a warm up without wearing a fin, followed by the learning of new skills with a Mono-Fin and tail, including the butterfly kick, diving down for treasure, sculling, floating, forward/back rolls and incorporating synchronised routines. The class always contains a vital life saving skill element too.”
Critical to the success of Fin2Fit’s approach is the progressive awards programme, aligned to the Swim England Learn to Swim awards. Fin2Fit already has a Water Safety Partnership with Royal Life Saving Society (RLSS), which not only ensures the Fin2Fit programmes and products and fins are water safe but guarantees the delivery of valuable lifesaving skills through the sessions too.
Natalie McGuire, Business Development Manager, Institute of Swimming says:
“We are thrilled to be working in partnership with Fin2Fit to provide the sector with innovation in pool programming and an extension of aquatic career opportunities. Keeping children engaged with water based activities is a great way to develop a healthy and active lifestyle. Once a child has learnt to swim, it’s all too easy for them to walk away from the pool. Leisure operators and private instructors need to be able offer something to a child that has completed their Swim England Learn to Swim programme, but isn’t necessarily wanting to pursue club swimming. The Fin2Fit CPD will upskill swimming teachers to deliver fantastic mono-fin mermaid/shark lessons and parties, which children adore. The children learn new aquatic skills and water safety whilst having fun. What’s not to love?”
Former international and Olympic swimmer, Chris Cook, is a Fin2Fit Ambassador and Institute of Swimming instructor, as well as a Swim England swimming teacher. Having coached Fin2Fit instructors and experienced their successful classes, he has a unique insight into their growing popularity. He says:
“After experiencing swimming with a fin and tail, I jumped at the chance to become an ambassador for Fin2Fit. Not only is it a fantastic experience but Fin2Fit are as much in love with swimming as I am, so it was a perfect fit. From tutoring teachers to qualify as instructors through to teaching children to enjoy being mermaids and sharks. I thoroughly enjoy the fun that comes from it all and that’s why we do what we do.”
Find out more about the Fin2Fit Instructor CPD and search for a course near you.