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Meet Brian
FitzGerald.
Most coaches will tell you they are passionate about teaching. Brian FitzGerald has been doing it professionally for over 30 years — which is a more convincing argument.
30 Years.
One Focus.
Brian began coaching in the early 1990s in Athlone, Ireland — building the teaching methodology that underpins every SwimFitz lesson today. He was two decades into his coaching career before SwimFitz existed. By the time he brought that experience to London, he had already seen every way a person can struggle with water, and every way to move them past it.
Over 30 years Brian has taught swimmers from age six months to their seventies. Competitive triathletes preparing for Ironman events. Premier League footballers. Children with autism. Adults with deep-seated aquaphobia who had tried lessons elsewhere and given up. One approach, every time: one coach, one swimmer, complete focus on the person in front of him.
Fully Qualified,
Every Detail.
Brian holds four current professional qualifications — covering teaching, coaching, open water and lifeguarding. Documentation available on request.
ASA Level 2
Amateur Swimming Association Level 2 Swimming Teacher. The industry-standard teaching qualification for UK swimming instructors.
STA Level 2
Swimming Teachers' Association Level 2 Certificate in Coaching. Advanced qualification covering coaching methodology, assessment and programme design.
STA Open Water
STA Level 2 Award in Open Water Swimming Coaching. Specialist qualification for coaching in open water environments — relevant for triathlon preparation.
RLSS NPLQ
Royal Life Saving Society National Pool Lifeguard Qualification. Professional poolside safety — required for all teaching environments.
Every Swimmer.
Every Challenge.
Thirty years of teaching covers a lot of ground. Brian has worked with swimmers at every level and in every situation — from a baby's first lesson to an Ironman competitor's final preparation.
From 6 Months
Water confidence from the earliest age. Brian has introduced hundreds of babies and toddlers to swimming — safe, calm, progressive sessions built around your child's pace.
Age 3 Upwards
Technique, water confidence and stroke development at every stage. Non-swimmers learning from scratch, children who need to consolidate, and those working towards specific goals.
All Abilities
Complete beginners to experienced swimmers. Adults who never learned, those returning after years away, and swimmers who want to improve technique or increase distance comfortably.
Aquaphobia
Adults with deep-seated aquaphobia who have tried group lessons and given up. Brian has worked with many swimmers who considered their fear insurmountable — and proved them wrong.
Performance Coaching
Triathletes preparing for Ironman and open water events. Technique-focused coaching, open water preparation, and race-specific training plans. STA Open Water qualified.
SEN & Complex Needs
Experience coaching children and adults with autism, sensory processing differences and other complex needs. Patient, consistent and adapted to the individual — always 1:1.
Beyond Brian.
Same Standards.
When demand requires it, or a specific request calls for it — female-only sessions, additional locations, specialist needs — SwimFitz draws on a trusted network of teachers and coaches. Every one holds the same qualifications and passes the same vetting. No compromises.
Enhanced DBS
Every teacher in the network holds a current Enhanced DBS certificate. Checked, verified, and renewed on schedule. Documentation available on request.
CPR & First Aid
Full CPR and paediatric first aid certification is a baseline requirement across the network. All teachers are equipped to respond poolside.
Swim Teacher Level 2
ASA or STA Level 2 Swim Teacher qualification as a minimum. Every teacher working under the SwimFitz name is properly qualified — no exceptions.
Female Teachers
Female-only sessions are available on request for adult learners, children, or families who prefer it. Just mention it when you book and we'll arrange accordingly.
One Coach.
One Swimmer.
SwimFitz has never offered group lessons and never will. Every session is one coach, one swimmer — Brian's full attention on you for the entire lesson, every minute.
There are no programmes designed by committee, no lesson plans recycled from last week, no instructor who doesn't know your name. Every session is built around the individual: where they are now, where they want to get to, and what is actually holding them back.
SwimFitz grew entirely through word of mouth and client referrals. No advertising. The results speak for themselves.