Paul
I signed up for lessons with Swimming Without Stress because I’ve never truly mastered swimming, and recently decided I wanted it to play a bigger role in my fitness, health, and overall wellbeing. It’s always felt like a bit of a battle for me in the past, so this year I committed to getting the right help, and I’m so glad I did.
The experience exceeded all expectations. Cheryl and Ian are incredibly professional, intuitive, and supportive..- they completely changed how I understand swimming.
Their approach is about working with the water rather than fighting it. Learning to slow down, relax, and feel comfortable was a real breakthrough for me. I had always assumed swimming meant pushing hard up and down the pool, but they showed me that ease and efficiency are far more important.
What really stood out was how they combined technique with mindset. They created such a calm, supportive environment and were able to pinpoint exactly where I was holding tension, giving really personalised and effective guidance. I also learned practical techniques like floating effortlessly, which was a huge milestone. It's all been genuinely transformative.
All of this was set in such a wonderful, relaxing environment, and staying at Clydey Cottages made the whole experience even more special and well-rounded.
I’m so grateful to Cheryl and Ian for giving me more confidence to truly enjoy swimming. If you’re looking to build confidence in a calm, thoughtful, and highly effective way, I can’t recommend them highly enough. Swimming Without Stress is the perfect name for them- thank you Cheryl and Ian!
Nina
Just a quick message to thank you both so much for your really beautifully supportive lessons.
I honestly feel lighter in a strange way.
Mary
I just wanted to say a heart felt 'Thank-you' for all your hard work, help, and expert advice last week. I feel you have started me off on a new swimming journey. You are both such lovely teachers - as an ex-headteacher myself I recognise good practice and the way you start from the pupil and adapt to make every lesson useful is exactly what is needed.
Anita
Ian and Cheryl managed to do in 4 days what countless other swimming instructors couldn’t do in 35 years. I thought I’d never know the feeling of being comfortable underwater, let alone actually enjoy it, but just one day at ‘Swimming without stress’ changed that forever. My main goal was to change my relationship with the water, to stop seeing it as an enemy to fight against but instead as a friend, and the course has done just that for me. By the end of the 4 days I couldn’t get enough of ‘mushroom floating’ around the pool, enjoying just being held by the water. It may seem like a small achievement but for me it has been huge. I have been telling everyone about it and I really hope to be able to come back for more lessons someday soon. The setting at Clydey is also really beautiful and so peaceful, perfectly conducive to a stress-free learning experience. I debated for a long time whether I could justify the long trip to Wales ‘just’ for swimming lessons and I can say now it was absolutely worth it. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Thank you Ian and Cheryl - you are a gift 🐠🦦❤️
Jasmine
I decided to enrol on swimming without stress due to an impending big holiday in the sun - I wanted to feel comfortable in the water - I could do a very basic fast breast stroke which lacked finesse.
I arrived with nerves and met Cheryl and Ian on day one. There was no need for nerves this couple are a formidable duo who absolutely complement one another .
By the end of day one I was swimming much slower and relaxed , by the end of session five I was floating on my back whilst talking!!
I loved every minute- in a world that is fast and furious - relaxing and slowing down is key for me.
Ian and cheryl are knowledgeable, professional and are gentle teachers who guided and encouraged me to be the best version of myself in the pool.
I left feeling confident and euphoric- I am so looking forward to my big holiday where swimming with confidence and without stress will be at the top of my agenda .
Thank you
Mary
We stayed at Clydey Cottages for Swimming Without Stress lessons with Cheryl and Ian which were amazing. We're both strong swimmers but our swimming changed so that we became like otters or dolphins, gliding through the water, breathing easy, and loving it.
Cheryl and Ian really listen to what you want to achieve, and are great teachers to transform your swimming.Thoroughly recommended!
Patricia
As a lifelong ‘non-swimmer’ I finally feel like I may be on my way to being a swimmer after having lessons with Ian & Cheryl. They are by far the best instructors I’ve ever had and they really encourage you and change your relationship with the water. It’s difficult to put into words but I would encourage anyone who wants to learn to swim or to improve, to just do it. The facilities and cottages are really comfortable and there are lots of interesting things to do in the area. I am sure I will be back again in the near future - thank you Ian & Cheryl!!
Marie
Swimming Without Stress was a genuinely transformative experience. The instructors were professional, motivating, and incredibly thoughtful in their approach. They were very mindful of the relationship between water and the individual, creating a calm and supportive environment throughout.
I learned how to float (and swim) with confidence, but more than that, the sessions were delivered in a relaxed and holistic way which helped me feel truly at ease in the water. It wasn’t just about technique, it was also about mindset too. I came away feeling more connected, confident, and at one with the water and myself.
I would highly highly recommend this to anyone looking to build confidence in the water in a calm and supportive way.
Amanda
Ian and Cheryl are amazing!
My relationship with water has been completely transformed, and swimming feels so relaxing and natural…. I just want to swim every day❤️
Sarah
Truly amazing experience, after decades of watching from the side of the pool Ian & Cheryl guided me to feel comfortable not only with putting my face and head in the water but floating and swimming on both my front and my back. I honestly never thought I would achieve as much as I did and feel comfortable in the water. I wish I had done it sooner. Thank you both.
James
Honestly, the "Swimming Without Stress" how can I sum this course up. I guess it really does what it says on the tin!
Wonderful Trainers
The structured learning sessions were truly transformative, held in the ideal environment in a nice heated pool. Cheryl and Ian, ensured that I not only learned how to swim, but understood why certain techniques work.
Most importantly, they taught me fundamental skills that completely took away my fear of going under the water. I learned how to confidently swim and breathe under the water, which was truly liberating. They introduced me to so many different and helpful techniques, like the Mushroom float, the Jellyfish float, and practical ways to simply float effortlessly and the first time I was floating on my back and looking up at the ceiling, I felt amazing, it was just an amazing experience as I felt totally relaxed.
Their expert instruction and personalised feedback meant I finally felt the shift, moving from struggling to swimming with genuine ease. Cheryl and Ian could even spot exactly where the tension was in my body just by looking at it, which made their advice incredibly precise. They create an atmosphere where learning feels friendly and they have this amazing knack for connecting the theory right to your body and then it all just falls into place.
Thank you Ian and Cheryl for this amazing experience, I can now look forward to many different adventures with friends and family, including going on beach holidays, and doing it all without any fear!
Sam
A big thank to Ian and Cheryl for making it possible for me to be able to float and swim in just a few lessons. As a non swimmer I didn't expect to feel confident swimming in a short period of time. You made it seem easy and we felt comfortable in the water. My daughter feels very confident swimming, it's been one of my dreams.
October 2025Haverfordwest
Julie and Stephen
Ian & Cheryl are the best!!
My Husband and I have just finished a course of 7 lessons with them and we finally feel confident in the water after having a huge fear of water and panic attacks if I even got splashed in the face with water! They have set us on a great path to really appreciating the calm of being in the water, a week ago I never really thought I would actually be so happy being in water and Stephen was convinced he would never float as he was too tense.
Both Ian & Cheryl let you go at your own pace and there’s no pressure to do anything that you don’t feel ready to do.
100% recommend you get in touch if you truly want to feel happy and confident in the water.
Sonia
I have been afraid of the water most of my life. My biggest fear was any water where I couldn't easily touch the bottom and definitely not putting my head under.
I could just about swim, flailing about like I was being attacked by killer bees, with most of the water ending out of the pool rather than staying in it!
After a week of lessons with Ian and Cheryl, my life has changed irreversibly. Swimming is now a slow, joyful and relaxing experience and has become part of my wind-down routine along with my weekly yoga classes.
I wish all swimming lessons at schools were taught in a similar manner.
Thanks you guys. You are amazing at what you do!
Dawn
I’ve had the most enjoyable 4 days in the water at Swimming without Stress residential swimming course.Ian and Cheryl have helped me restore joy of being in the pool. Their approach to swimming has flipped the approach previous instructors has used in teaching me to swim.
I thank you Cheryl for your patience I’ll be looking at the fishes, and Ian I’ll be looking up to say hello.
