Puddle Ducks Swimming Classes is our Bristol Business of the Week
Posted on: 18 May 2016Puddle Ducks' expert instructors deliver swimming lessons for babies, toddlers and children all over Bristol. Everybody is welcome at Puddle Ducks from nervous non-swimmers up to super confident children who wish to improve their swimming style.
Since 2008, Puddle Ducks has been putting children first. Every child learns to swim at their own pace and with a nurturing teaching style that helps babies and children gain water confidence and in time develop good stroke technique and stamina. Puddle Ducks isn't restricted to those who are currently able to splash around...they also offer 'Aquanatal' courses for expectant mothers. This is a great opportunity for mums-to-be to relax and socialise. The classes take a holistic approach to physical and mental well-being, combining relaxation with cardiovascular exercises to help prepare the body for labour. What's more, when the little one arrives they will be well versed in the feeling and noises of a swimming pool!
We absolutely love this place here at 365 Bristol and think that more people should know just what's out there for the many potential water-babies of Bristol. We spoke to founder Sarah Austin to find out a little more...
Sarah Austin
When did you start Puddle Ducks Bristol and Bath and can you give us a brief history?
I started Puddle Ducks in 2008. I’d been teaching babies and toddlers to swim as a freelance instructor and could see there was a huge demand for baby swimming classes in Bristol so I decided to set up Puddle Ducks.
At the beginning it was just me and three Poolside Assistants, one for each of our swimming pools. We finished our first term with 96 customers back in 2008. We now have 1100 babies, toddlers and children swimming with us every week at 13 different venues and a team of 25 Teachers, Poolside Assistants and Admin staff.
Are you from Bristol?
Yes, I was born at Southmead Hospital and lived in Chipping Sodbury when I was a child (which was part of Bristol when I was little). I did an Apprenticeship with British Aerospace after school and rented a flat in Clifton with some friends. I then left Bristol to travel and returned to the UK to go to University in Southampton. After a brief spell working in the South East, I returned to Bristol and now live in Brislington.
Teacher Tina at Penny Porter Pool Bristol
Tell us why swimming is so important for young children and mums and dads!
I can honestly say that taking my son Sam swimming as a baby was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. So much so I gave up my career to become a baby and toddler swimming teacher.
Why is swimming such a special thing to do with your baby? There are just so many reasons…
First of all, introducing your baby to water gives them water confidence that should last a lifetime. Watching babies, and their mums’ and dads’ reactions, never tires me. The first time a baby holds their breath and closes their eyes before they are submerged under water is always magical…. The first time a baby jumps in by themselves, or turns around and swims back to the side… The first time a toddler does a push and glide from the wall and swims independently to their mum or dad.
All these things make swimming classes the most wonderful, joyous activity for babies, toddlers and children. It’s never too late to learn to swim but the earlier you introduce your child to water, the easier it will be for them, and for you!
There are also lots of health benefits. It has been proven that “swimming babies” are given the opportunity to develop crucial higher brain functions, core muscle development and co-ordination far earlier than they would otherwise be able to. A swimming lesson provides a complete physical work-out: strengthening your baby’s heart, lungs and respiratory system, which again aids development of the brain.
And for mums and dads; it’s a brilliant social experience. Meeting other mums and dads each week. Puddle Ducks parents often go for coffee or a picnic after class...one group of dads have now become firm friends and go for a pub lunch with their wives and babies after their Saturday morning class each week.
What locations in Bristol and Bath do you use and when are the classes?
We teach over 160 classes per week at 13 different pools across Bristol, North Somerset, South Glos, Bath and Wiltshire. The classes take place every day of the week and weekends are especially popular with working parents and dads.
Our Bristol pools include The Grand Hotel and St Mary Redcliffe School in central Bristol, Penny Porter pool in Henbury, DW Fitness at Imperial Park in Bishopsworth and Parson Street School in Bedminster.
The classes last 30 minutes and take place every week during term-time. Swim Academy classes (for children from 4-11 years) cost £12 per class; Baby and Preschool classes are £13-£14.50 per class and Aquanatal classes for pregnant women are FREE, subject to a small admin fee.
Aquanatal mums relaxing at Our Pool, Wrington
You’ve also got classes in North Somerset too - where are these held and when?
We teach at theclub at Cadbury House in Congresbury, The Campus in Weston Super Mare, Redhill House in Redhill (near Bristol Airport) and at Our Pool in Wrington. Again the classes take place every day of the week and weekends too.
Where do you like to eat out in Bristol or Bath?
I live and work in BS4 - our offices are based at ITV Studios on the Bath Road - so Bocabar is a favourite place to meet friends for a coffee or lunch. Beese’s is also a favourite local - it feels like being on holiday sitting in the gorgeous garden by the river. I didn’t know it existed until I moved to BS4.
Before I moved to Brislington I lived in Bedminster and like to return to North Street on a regular basis. I love the garden in The Spotted Cow and we hold our work meetings at The Hen & Chicken which are usually followed by a trip to the bar and a glass of vino or two!
My new favourite restaurant is Casamia. We were treated to a night at the chef’s table as a wedding gift (I got married in November) and it was incredible. I hope to be able to go back to try every new season’s menu!
What's your favourite place in Bristol?
It has to be the Clifton Suspension Bridge. It’s a huge landmark for Bristol and always feels like home when I see it. It even made me smile when I was running beneath it on Sunday during the Bristol 10K (which I didn’t enjoy that much!)
BPS training session - group of some of the Puddle Ducks teachers
Where do you see Puddle Ducks Bristol and Bath in 5 years time?
I really believe in our business. We have an amazing team of teachers, poolside and admin staff and in five years we will see our team continue to grow so we can offer even more swimming classes to families in and around Bristol. We are always looking for swimming pools to hire to help us fulfil this vision.
I’d really like to increase our Aquanatal offering for pregnant women too. The Aquanatal classes are such good value, are wonderful to help women stay fit and healthy during pregnancy, and are socially fantastic. A great way to meet other mums-to-be.
What advice would you give to any aspiring Bristol small business owners?
Build a great team of people around you. Know what you’re good at and delegate what you’re not good at. You can’t do everything yourself.
If you were Mayor of Bristol for a day which one thing would you change?
I would build a great big swimming pool for everybody to use with slides and both indoor and outdoor areas, and there would be a lovely, warm little swimming pool where our Puddle Ducks children could learn to swim.
For more info on the amazing work Puddle Ducks do, and how they might be able to help you, please visit www.puddleducks.com and keep up to date with them via Facebook and Twitter.
Pyjama Water Safety class at St Mary Redcliffe School, Bristol