Black History Month: Watch Elidia L’Eveille interview

Throughout October, Swim England is celebrating individuals from all aspects of our sport who are championing equality as part of Black History Month.

Here swim teacher Elidia L’Eveille describes the positive experiences she’s had since becoming a teacher after coming through one of the Institute of Swimming’s recruitment academies.

“I’m really inspired (since becoming a teacher) so my head’s like I’ll do everything. The opportunities there so go for it.”

Despite not being the strongest swimmer, teacher Elidia proves that you don’t have to be an elite level swimmer to be a fantastic swimming teacher.

With a background both working in nurseries and in fitness, she picked up some of the important skills to help her lead people on their journey in the water.

And after working closely with the team at her local leisure centre, she was encouraged to try teaching and signed up for the Institute of Swimming recruitment academy.

Now, in a video interview with Swim England’s head of diversity and inclusion, Mike Hawkes, to celebrate Black History Month, she explains how she’s hoping to inspire the next generation of black swimmers, teachers and coaches on poolside.

“I think for diversity, being a role model for black people or for people of colour it’s a big thing.

“To show the children you can achieve it. It’s a lot of hard work and everything but, like today, I was so overwhelmed when you sent me the email, saying ‘can you interview me?’

“Honestly, that brought tears to my eyes when I was walking, like, ‘wow, all of the hard work that I did’ and sometimes you’re just like ‘I’ve just had enough. I want to give up’ but no, you keep going, and you never know.

“So that’s what I want to do for the next generation or children coming up through the stages. And for adults too, like, encouraging them to get in the water.”

“I’d love to be a coach for artistic swimming, or a bit of diving, or just update my skills as well.”

During the interview, Elidia also explains her journey from being scared of the water to becoming a teacher and her advice to anyone looking to take up swimming or teaching.

“A lot of families like my parents are from the Seychelles so if they’re from a country abroad, not a lot of the parents have been swimming or can’t swim.

“So, when I was a child me and my sister went swimming one day, we nearly drowned.

“And we didn’t swim after that until we came to school. I was petrified and I had to build up my confidence.

“Swimming is a life skill so it’s such a good thing to learn and it saves your life.

“I’m not a great swimmer but my advice is to go for it.

“For me with teaching, my friend just said ‘have you ever thought about swim teaching?’ So I just filled it in and I never thought nothing of it.

“We had to do level one and a level two and the group I was training with were lovely.

“Some of the other swimming instructors have swimming backgrounds, like at Harvey Haddon they’ve got people from the swimming clubs like Nova and Leander.

“So some come in and they’re doing amazingly with these strokes and I’m just so impressed with it and it inspires me to continue.”

To watch the interview in full, please click here.