
My Story
I am a former competitive pool swimmer, gaining a swimming scholarship to University in the USA in 1997. As one of 14 internationals alongside 26 Americans I enjoyed my years of collegiate competition. I competed in mostly long-distance events 400m, 800m, 1500m freestyle and 400m IM. I graduated with a BSc degree in Sports Science.
Since graduating I have qualified as a Scuba Diving Instructor, HSE Commercial Diver and run my own Underwater Photography business – The Underwater Studio. Alongside this I am a Swim England Level 2 Swimming Teacher, mainly teaching at a private pool in Wilmington with Small Splashes. I run a Mermaid Swimming School, MerKids and I am a Surf Lifesaving GB Coach for Eastbourne Voluntary Lifeguards.
I regularly train with The Mid Sussex Marlins in the pool and in the sea as often as I can and compete in open water swimming events of varying distances, in 2021 i came 2nd female in the River Arun 3.6.km race (10th overall), came first in the River Adur 5km Race (3rd overall) and I also won the Eastbourne Triathlon 1500m swim.
My husband and I have 3 gorgeous teenagers and a little white Shi-poo called Ted.
When I’m not swimming I enjoy running, reading, learning and meeting friends for coffee.
Qualifications
I am a qualified Open Water Swimming Coach through the Swim Teachers Association (STA), and I am mentored by the utterly brilliant Olympic marathon swimmer Keri-Anne Payne.
Level 1 & 2 Advanced Aquaphobia Coach (studying)
B.Sc Degree – Sports Science and Kinesiology
PADI Scuba Diving Instructor
Monofin/Mermaid Instructor with Merkids
PADI Basic Freediver
Underwater Photographer at The Underwater Studio
STA Level 2 Award in Safety Award for Teachers
Accolades
RNLI Water Safety Volunteer
STA Open Water Coach Brand Ambassador
Certificates
Documents
Fish 2 Water holds 5 million public liability and professional indemnity insurance with HOWDEN for both open water swimming and indoor swimming.