Education Update - Nick Johnstone

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KIM

R O A C H

Kim Roach is a local Learn To Swim instructor and Squad Coach. She believes in the importance of learning to swim no matter your age, ability or experience and she is extremely encouraging and passionate about what she does.

Hi Kim. How long have you been teaching swimming?

I have been a Swim Coach for 10 years and a LTS (learn to swim) Instructor for well over 25 years.

Why did you decide this was what you wanted to do?

I became a LTS Instructor to make a difference, to give back to the community and to educate the swimmer and family that swimming is a Life Skill, it will assist in saving a life, and give confidence to the individual as they progress with their swimming. This is a job that will allow you to work anywhere in the world on a casual, part-time or full-time basis.

I moved into Coaching once my own children started Squad at Sawtell Swimming Pool. This is when I was trained and coached by one of the best in the business, Tim Raven. Coaching allows you to see the child develop technique, stamina and develop a desire to compete. With this the child/swimmer develops organisational, time management and social skills along with a strong discipline.

I enjoy these two roles as it allows me to develop as a Coach and Instructor and in

I encourage everyone to swim, go for a swim, feel the water, the more you do, the more confident and comfortable you will return I see the swimmer progress in their be. Great for your skill set. This brings pride and joy that I am health, great for your doing my role. well-being. What sort of age range and abilities do you coach? With the LTS, I instruct from two years through to adults (some may be absolute beginners who have never been in the water before), to special needs, or highend LTS who need a little more technique to move into Squads, or an adult who

hasn’t swum for a long time and has little confidence.

In our Squads we are skill-based and we offer mini, junior, senior and adult squads. We also Coach the Coffs Harbour Special Olympics team.

The Sawtell Swimming Squad consists of Dean Hancock (Adult Squad), Sharon Hackfath (Mini and Junior Squads) and Richie Goddard (Special Olympics).

What do you most enjoy about it?

With LTS there is nothing like a parent watching their child do something for the first time, face in the water, blowing bubbles, their first big arm, swimming out to you unaided or collecting an object from the bottom of the pool. These are milestones in your child’s development. These are the “feel good” moments of being a LTS instructor.

As a Coach your squad can hardly speak a word at 5:30am but once finished at 7am watch out, the endorphins are released, and their smiles are addictive whilst walking past you and saying “thank you”.

Or it could be a Personal Best time at Club night, or making a qualifying time to Area Championships, Country, State or National Titles. Our swimmer might have just swum their first Breaststroke race without being disqualified, again milestones for the Swimmer, Coach and Parent. These are the moments that I enjoy.

Can you tell us about what you might work on with your students?

We as Coaches are always working on the swimmer’s technique to make them more

Our swimmers have been efficient in the water, a better or earlier catch, a stronger kick, faster strong in the local turns off the wall, and Area Ocean anything that will allow Swims and are them to get a better gearing up to swim time or a more efficient the Coffs Harbour swim. Jetty Swim in April. In LTS, it is a repetitive program to embed the muscle memory of the stroke, along with body position, safety and FUN!

What results have your swimmers had during their time training with you?

Achievements are great in our Sawtell Swimming Squad, with swimmers doing many Personal Best times at swim meets throughout this season. We had a swimmer make the 400m and 200m finals at the State Championships. We have had members of the Squad represent us at Country, Country Regional, State, Masters and National Championships.

We have had swimmers in our Squad swim the many varied School pathways, with many reaching their highest levels, and we have a number moving to the State Championships with the potential of making All Schools State and even Nationals.

Our swimmers have been strong in the local and Area Ocean Swims and are gearing up to swim the Coffs Harbour Jetty Swim in April.

Our Special Olympics Team swam before Covid lockdown and all made times for State Championships.

Achievements are measured in many ways, depending on the individual and their needs.

What would you say are some of the most important things to learn about swimming and water safety?

As a LTS Instructor, we always have an element of safety in every lesson with all ages and abilities. As a Coach you talk about safety and encourage your Squad to participate in Surf Lifesaving to learn about the ocean, to do your First Aid and to learn CPR, as everyone should learn this.

I encourage everyone to swim, go for a swim, feel the water. The more you do, the more confident and comfortable you will be. Great for your health, great for your well-being.