Caroline Swatton
The Director and Principal Teacher
STA Tutor, NaRS Tutor, Birthlight Tutor, Aquacise Tutor, FAW Tutor

Caroline has nearly 40 years experience in teaching swimming and lifesaving. As a mum of four she became very adept at juggling the work/life balance long before it became fashionable to do so! It is some testimony to her achievements that all four children have joined the family business and all play key roles in its development.

Her qualifications are so vast they can’t all be listed here but some clue as to her standing can be gleaned from the fact she is the South’s coordinator for the Shaw Method of swimming and is one of only a handful of Watsu Practioner’s in the country. She specialises in one to one lessons for adults and children and has never failed to teach anyone to swim who has completed her course. Her experience covers everything from therapies, to coaching, to tutoring, to formal swimming and beyond.

She is a winner of the prestigious European Women of Achievement Award for the sports category from over 2100 nominees and has achieved “outstanding recognition for swimming” from the Amateur Swimming Association.

Gerry Swatton
Director and Team Coach

Gerry has been a Director for over 30 years and is qualified in teaching special needs children in which he specialises. His amazing results with Deaf and Blind children have earned him an enviable reputation and he has the ability to expand a child’s communication skills as well as teach them to swim. He can make a difference to their lives in a short space of time by using methods that only come with experience. He is quickly able to identify the strong points in a child and build up confidence whilst working to overcome their weaker areas as time progresses. Gerry knows all about being a franchisee, having been one for five years delivering personal coaching.

He has also coached at all levels of fitness and ability in a number of sports including Rugby, Cricket and Volleyball to name but a few and he still finds time to run the swim fit and weight loss nutrition programme.

Amy Ockendon

Amy started swimming with Swalings when she was 3 and reached her 1000m, Water Skills 5 awards and passed all her lifesaving badges. Amy says “I am enjoying helping with the swimming and helping the children learn how to swim”.

Zoë McAulay

Zoë started swimming when she was 4. Zoë completed all of her swimming badges and left after being in the Otters. She then joined Poole Swimming Club before coming to Swalings. Zoë says, “When I was little I always wanted to be a Swimming Helper. So now I’m really pleased I am one.” We are very pleased to have her.

Tom Ockendon

Tom started swimming in 1995 and achieved all badges up to 1000m and was awarded his Water Skills 1 to 5. He has participated in swimming galas with the cubs and scouts. Tom enjoys swimming and helping people to swim.

Robert Holmes

Robert passed his poolside helpers course in July 2007 and is a great asset to the Swimming School. He would like to continue with his swimming teaching and hopes to gain his Swimming Teachers qualification as soon as he is able. Robert is also a Black Belt 3rd degree in Taekwondo and his aim is to become a Grand Master. He presently helps with training the younger members of his Taekwondo club.