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.
