At Maqam Centre, one of our premier locations, we offer a warm, welcoming environment that’s perfect for baby swimming lessons. From just 3 months, babies can start their swimming journey in a safe, supportive setting with our expert instructors guiding every splash. The pool's tranquil atmosphere makes it the ideal location for both parents and babies to bond and build confidence in the water.
But we don’t stop there – we also provide swimming lessons for children and adults of all abilities. Whether you're introducing your child to the water or looking to improve your own swimming skills, our experienced instructors are here to help every step of the way.
After class, take a moment to relax and unwind at the on-site café, where you can enjoy a delicious lunch or a comforting coffee. It's the perfect place for families to enjoy quality time together before or after their lesson!
Instructors Available
Alejandro
Alejandro first contact with the swimming world was in his early years. He has been swimming since he was 6 years old, at the school and school’s swimming club, and later moved into teaching young swimmers at summer camps and clubs in Spain, also during summer courses. His love for swimming has never stopped and he has been qualified as a Swimming teacher for more than 6 years in the UK and ever since he has not stopped working on teaching the next generation to be the best swimmers they can be. In summary, he has been swimming for more than half his life and has become more than a hobby, but a way of life!
Frankie
Frankie began swimming at an early age and never looked back! From swimming lessons to club galas to open water swims she has tried it all. She is qualified to teach swimming to babies from age 3 months through to adults and pre-competition level. Frankie is also a qualified Montessori teacher, teaching in England and has then spent the last 5 years teaching in Vienna where she also gave swimming lessons for a local swimming school. Frankie has worked as a lifeguard and swimming teacher in America, culminating with an open water swim in Fiji. Having experienced swimming in open water, Frankie has taken part in the Scottish and Northern swims in Windermere and enjoyed swimming in Croatia. Now returned to England she is also teaching swimming in a school for children with special needs, gaining a broader teaching experience. What Frankie likes about Swimming Nature is the small class ratios giving time to teach the elements in detail, achieving the end goal of a beautiful stroke
Ingrid
Ingrid, a native of Brazil speaking both Portuguese and English, has been immersed in the world of swimming since the age of 3. Holding Level 2 Teaching Swimming and Level 1 Swimming qualifications, she brings a wealth of experience to her role as a swimming teacher. Ingrid's swimming achievements are marked by numerous medals from national, regional, and international championships. Notably, her proudest achievement is holding the record for medals at the Kurosa championship, an accomplishment spanning her years from 9 to 12 and continuing to this day, over two decades later. Having transitioned from a successful swimming career to law school and subsequently working on a federal government project in Brazil, Ingrid's life took an unexpected turn when she moved to London. Fate led her back to swimming, where she found fulfillment as a qualified swimming teacher, blending her professional background and lifelong passion. Teaching the Swimming Nature Programme holds special significance for Ingrid, bringing her immense joy as she contributes to developing life skills in others. Ingrid chose to become a Swimming Nature teacher for the incredible opportunity it offers to build children's confidence in the water. Witnessing their progress and recognizing their capabilities is a source of inspiration and fulfillment in her role as a swimming teacher.
Jelena
Jelena was a member of the Latvian Youth Olympic Swimming Team and a gold medalist in the relay at the Baltic Swimming Championships. She has a passion for open water swimming and a keen interest in ballet. Jelena holds a degree from the University of Economics and brings over nine years of experience in teaching swimming. She appreciates Swimming Nature's thoughtfully designed and effective training method, which is clear and easy to understand. While Jelena enjoys working with both beginners and experienced swimmers, her competitive swimming background makes her particularly skilled at coaching advanced participants. Jelena looks forward to sharing the Swimming Nature method and inspiring progress in all her students.
Jeremy
Jeremy Cullen hails from Australia, where he grew up near the beach and developed a lifelong connection to the water. He began swimming lessons during his school years and eventually turned his passion for swimming and water safety into a career. With over six years of experience as a qualified swimming teacher, Jeremy has worked with swimmers aged 3 to 16, ranging from beginners to squad-level athletes perfecting advanced techniques. After a few years as a teacher, Jeremy transitioned into a management role, but his enthusiasm for teaching remained strong. He joined Swimming Nature to explore their unique programme, which emphasizes a hands-on approach, small classes, and a focus on developing perfect technique from the very first lesson. Outside the pool, Jeremy enjoys running, rock climbing, and spending time outdoors with friends and family. His dedication to teaching swimming stems from his belief in the importance of water safety and his desire to help others gain this essential life skill.
Joao
Maria
Maria has been swimming since a young age and never looked back! She has been passionate about teaching for a very long time and she has been teaching in the UK within sports centres and swimming clubs. Maria appreciates better the small class size of the Swimming Nature methodology as she believes that it contributes to a higher quality of teaching and to a tailored attention. She enjoys teaching any ages and abilities!
Matheus
Since I was young I have loved water, swimming, or just relaxing in it, and for a long time, I used it as a way to relax. When I was in high school, I participated in a lot of swimming competitions, and it was one of the best moments of my life. As soon as I start looking for a job, I looked for ways to help or assist others, already working as a waiter and a construction assistant, and then I discover about Swimming Nature and the different ways that they teach swimming, and get amazed with it, I started to teach, and want to keep teaching and learning more. I like that Swimming Nature tries to focus on improving each learner in a way that they can have all the support from their teacher, assisting in everything. I like teaching older children when they are new to swimming and helping them lose their fear of it. I'd like to have learners with special needs because I need to approach them in different ways and can give all my attention to them. With Swimming Nature, I can improve my abilities in teaching, and learn a new way of doing it. Also to learn a lot about swimming that I never knew before.
Michela
Natalie
Natalie began swimming at the age of 8, quickly advancing through all levels and earning distance badges due to her natural confidence in the water. By 14, she transitioned from advancing her own skills to assisting with lower-level swimming lessons. After completing her swimming qualifications at 18, Natalie started teaching swimming lessons to individuals of all ages and abilities. She also spent four years as a sports leader at a special needs summer program, working one-on-one with children with physical disabilities and special educational needs. Later, Natalie taught swimming for three years at a leisure center, focusing on children, adults, and one-on-one sessions with special needs children. Upon returning home, she took on a daily teaching role at a local swim school, where she also manages administrative duties. She enjoys various sports, including tennis, badminton, and golf. Natalie values the Swimming Nature program for its personalized approach, allowing her to connect with students and ensure they develop strong swimming skills. She loves teaching all ages and abilities, finding joy in helping each child achieve their best.
Pranjal
Originally from Australia, Pranjal Pokhalekar brings nearly eight years of experience as a professional learn-to-swim instructor. Fluent in English, Marathi, and Hindi, she has worked with a diverse range of students, from toddlers taking their first steps in the water to adults refining their technique and competitive swimmers training at an advanced level. As a former competitive swimmer, Pranjal has a deep understanding of the techniques required to enhance speed, endurance, and agility in the water. She incorporates drills and exercises from her own training to help students progress and achieve their swimming goals. Her passion for swimming began at the age of three, and through teaching, she stays connected to the sport while helping others develop this essential life skill. Pranjal’s highest sporting achievement was qualifying for the 2014 Victorian Open Short Course National Championships in the 50m freestyle event. Beyond swimming, she enjoys hiking, kickboxing, CrossFit, and dancing. She trained in Jazz and Ballet for over seven years and was a frequent performer in local cultural events. More recently, she has taken an interest in martial arts and combat sports, with the goal of participating in a sparring event. Currently, Pranjal is pursuing a Master of Laws at King’s College London, with aspirations to become a commercial lawyer specializing in intellectual property and information law. She was drawn to Swimming Nature’s unique teaching methodology, which encourages swimmers to develop independence in the water from the very first lesson, without the use of flotation aids. Having previously taught with floatation devices, she has found that students gain greater confidence and progress more effectively when learning without them. Pranjal particularly enjoys teaching the Crab and Turtle levels, as this is when students begin refining their stroke techniques and are introduced to breaststroke, her personal favorite. She joined Swimming Nature to continue growing as a swim instructor while in England and to expand her teaching skills by learning a new and innovative approach to swim coaching.
Sanuth
Sanuth Ramin Sumithraarachchige is a qualified swimming instructor from England who speaks English fluently. He holds a Level 2 SEQ Swimming Teaching Qualification and a Level 1 SEQ Swimming Assistant Teaching Qualification. Having started swimming at the age of three, Sanuth developed his skills through a method closely aligned with Swimming Nature’s approach. He swam competitively until the age of 15, earning multiple medals along the way. With over a year of experience as a qualified swimming teacher and two years in teaching-related roles, he has built a strong foundation in coaching. In addition to his work in swimming instruction, Sanuth is currently studying law part-time, aspiring to become a well-respected lawyer. His background also includes experience in hospitality, where he worked as a waiter, further enhancing his communication and customer service skills. Sanuth values Swimming Nature’s hands-on approach to teaching, which keeps children engaged and focused on proper swimming techniques. He appreciates the emphasis on teaching without flotation aids, as it helps children build confidence and independence in the water, encouraging them to trust their own abilities rather than relying on floats. He enjoys working with swimmers at Stages 2 to 4, guiding them through their progress and refining their skills. With a couple of years of experience as a swimming instructor, Sanuth has gained valuable insights that have contributed to his personal and professional growth. He chose to join Swimming Nature to expand his expertise and embrace new learning opportunities in an environment that prioritizes skill development and effective teaching methods. Outside of swimming, he enjoys playing basketball and reading books in his free time.
Thais
Thais, originally from Brazil, has immersed herself in the world of swimming instruction with a dedication that spans over a decade. Her linguistic versatility, speaking both English and Portuguese, enhances her ability to connect with a diverse range of students. Thais' swimming qualifications include STA Level 1 and Level 2 certifications, along with Safety Award for Teachers and training in Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults. She has also achieved proficiency as a WaterBabies teacher. Her journey as a swimming instructor began in 2010 in the UK, and her focus has predominantly been on child development, particularly aligned with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This strategic approach not only facilitates children's swimming progress but also employs EYFS principles to create a conducive learning environment. Becoming a mother has heightened her appreciation for EYFS, embedding its principles into her lessons. Thais' involvement in swimming was sparked when she witnessed baby swimming lessons during her tenure as a nanny. This ignited her passion for teaching, leading her to embrace the challenge of instructing both children and adults. Her commitment to helping students overcome traumatic experiences in the water exemplifies her empathetic approach. Thais strongly believes in the effectiveness of the Swimming Nature methodology, particularly the focus on individualized attention through 1:2:1 or 2:2:1 lesson structures. Her enthusiastic teaching style, encapsulating the essence of "Swim Beautifully," incorporates playful elements like using animals to communicate different skill levels. Her love for teaching is palpable in every lesson, a sentiment amplified by her dedication to her role at Swimming Nature since 2014. Thais's personal life is also a testament to her vibrant spirit, as she cherishes moments spent with her toddler son during swimming lessons and leisurely walks with her dog. Thais Silveira O'Brien's journey as a swimming instructor blends expertise, passion, and an unwavering commitment to nurturing young swimmers, making her a valuable member of the Swimming Nature team.
Thomas
I have been swimming for most of my life! I found my love for swimming in my early teens where I discovered my passion for the water, particularly butterfly stroke. I was the fastest 50-metre butterfly swimmer in the UK at the age of 16. I am friendly, patient and enthusiastic about facilitating people of all ages to gain swimming skills, however, I feel strongly about enabling younger swimmers with disabilities to become confident in the water and find their own love for swimming. I am passionate about fitness, reflective in my education pathway in sports science. I am excited to be working with Swimming Nature as their approach to teaching swimming is unique, encouraging a happy lifelong relationship with water.
Younes
Pool Size
6m x 15m
Pool Depth
1m - 1.35m
Pool Temp
31.5°C
Transportation
Train Lines
Kensal Rise Station
Tube Stations
Queens Park Station
Bus
6 •
52 •
187 •
302
Parking
• There is paid on-street parking on Tiverton Road and The Avenue
Please bring a swimsuit, towel, goggles and a swim cap. For babies, you’ll need one disposable swim nappy and one happy nappy (or equivalent).
What happens if I miss a lesson?
If you notify us at least 24 hours in advance, we can cancel the lesson and credit you with a ‘make-up’ lesson. Contact us as soon as possible to reschedule.
Are there any rules I should be aware of?
Yes, all swimmers must shower before entering the pool. Parents/guardians are required to supervise children outside of lesson times. Food and drinks (other than water) are not permitted on the poolside.
What are the pool's water temperature and depth?
Check out the information provided above for details on this specific pool’s water temperature and depth.
How long are the lessons at this pool?
Lessons at this pool are typically 30 minutes long. This allows for focused, quality instruction while keeping students engaged and energised.
Building a natural bond with water
Our award-winning Swimming Nature method makes learning to swim a natural,
relaxed and fun experience with easily recognisable results.
Swimming
For babies
Our methods maximise the benefits of early introduction to water.
We go beyond teaching and build a natural bond with water for life. Our
unique method has made Swimming Nature the most popular and most respected private swimming tuition
provider in the UK.
Tell us where you’d like to swim!
Ready to become a swimming natural? Register your interest at your desired pool and the team will be in touch!