Swimming teacher Suzie ‘feels at home’ as she returns to the pool

Swimming teacher Suzie Wheway admitted she ‘felt at home’ after returning to the pool for the first time since the coronavirus lockdown began.

The mum-of-two explained her feelings as part of the industry-wide #LoveSwimming campaign, which aims to highlight the power of swimming and the importance of local pools as community hubs.

Having been a regular swimmer as a youngster, Suzie drifted away from it and took part in other exercise.

Following a bout of post-natal depression after the birth of her youngest son, Suzie returned to swimming – and it changed her life.

“I’m a regular swimmer now,” she said. “I’ve always loved the water.

“That love of the water has led me to completely retrain as a swimming teacher in the last few years.

“The lockdown and the fact that the pools were closed was hard because I was not only missing my exercise, my freedom to exercise, but I was also out of work.

“So when I found out I could get back in the pool it felt absolutely amazing.

“I just had a massive grin on my face when I saw the announcement – we’ve been waiting for a long time.”

Surprisingly simple

Suzie detailed what swimming in the ‘new normal’ was like having arrived at her local pool ‘beach ready’.

“It was surprisingly simple,” she said. “I booked my slot online and I had an hour to come and change, have my swim and leave again.

“I showed them my booking reference at the desk. They showed me through and it was really obvious where all the sanitising stations are and the one-way system.

“I’ve come in beach ready, so I’ve got a swimming costume on under my clothes. It’s really clear in the changing rooms which lockers and cubicles you’re allowed to use, because obviously they have had to allocate space between them.

“And then get straight into the pool.

“The lanes are bigger than they used to be, they’re double width but it’s all very clear and easy to follow.

“There’s signs at the end to show you which direction you’re swimming in. It feels very comfortable because there’s plenty of space around.

“I’m more than happy that there’s adequate social distancing in place.

“It’s great to be back in this space, in this glorious pool hall. I’ve really, really missed it.

“It’s going to be lovely to get back to some kind of normality, to get back to teaching as well as swimming for me. I can’t wait to be back on poolside with all the kids and to be doing something useful again.

“Being back in the pool just feels like being at home again – it’s wonderful.”