FASTER,FITTER,FUNNER!

Having been swimming for nearly 20 years, it was time to get professional advice on where and how I could improve. I joined Maxine's Swim Squad in 2019 and it rapidly became my swimming family. I have learned so much through Maxine's sessions which have identified my many bad habits which I am gradually removing from my stroke (hopefully at least). It is gratifying to feel the immediate improvements in terms of efficiency and speed. Maxine's dry-land swimming classes have done wonders to stabilise and strengthen my shoulders in particular, which is translating into a more powerful stroke and less 'achy' recoveries. I should have been doing these for years. Maxine's sessions are always well-structured, challenging in a level-appropriate way and varied which includes the pool, the sea and rivers. The extended squad are great fun and very supportive. Swimming can be much more than just exercise and it is clear to see how Maxine is the catalyst to making the squad an amazing shared experience for us all.

I found Maxine in 2022 while looking for swim lessons for my daughter, and quickly ended up booking 1:1 coaching for myself too. In a short space of time my doggy paddle became a front crawl, and by January I’d joined the swim squad.

The environment Maxine creates is supportive, encouraging, and motivating — everyone pushes each other, and we train harder together than we ever would alone. Maxine works us hard, but always with a smile and genuine encouragement.

Since then, I’ve completed two 5km charity swims, discovered open water swimming, and even attended Maxine’s Mallorca swim camp — all experiences I never would have imagined before. Her passion is infectious, and her ability to gently nudge you beyond what you think you’re capable of is something special.

I returned to swimming in my 30s after a difficult childhood experience that left me anxious around water and avoiding pools altogether, even on holidays. From the very first session, Maxine created a calm, supportive environment where I felt safe and understood.

She didn’t just show me what to do physically — she guided me through how to manage the panic, break tasks into manageable steps, and gently push through moments that once felt overwhelming. Every session felt carefully tailored to exactly what I needed at that moment.

I’m genuinely amazed at how far I’ve come. I can now enjoy being in the water, look forward to swimming, and feel excited about the possibilities ahead. It’s a journey I avoided for years, and Maxine helped me finally begin it.