Our fabulous team at Puddle Ducks Lincolnshire are highly trained and qualified teachers who are experts at identifying children’s levels of ability and adapting activities to the individual, nurturing confidence and encouraging natural ability.
We want every child to love swimming, respect the water and swim beautifully. That’s why our standards are the highest and our approach is unique.
Teachers
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Beck Cook
Senior Teacher
Programme:
Baby & Pre-School, Swim Academy, Elite, AquanatalLocation:
Little Carlton, Oceans GranthamFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
“Swims Through the Hoop – Parent Led” - I would have to say this is my favourite activity as it’s such fun and the sense of achievement parents get once they let go of their little ones and send them through the hoop makes me so proud. The bonus is that I get to see all of them swim past me which amazes me every time.Favourite Puddle Ducks song:
“Go to Sleep” is my favourite song and is featured within the Little Dippers programme. I love seeing all their happy, smiley faces when the jump up from their sleep and get really splashy. It’s an ace activity to encourage our swimmers to relax in the water and build on their water confidence too.Most memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
A little boy appeared in my Little Dippers class 2 years ago and wouldn’t speak to me, look at me and rarely joined in the activities. He found the lessons daunting. Fast forward two years and he is the happiest boy in the water, tells me about his day and swims independently and is safe in and around water. It’s been a long journey and I am super proud of him and his parents for their patience and trust they put in me to help him enjoy swimming plus I have lots of fun teaching him too!A little bit more about yourself:
I joined the team in 2014 originally as a Swim Academy teacher only and what a decision that was…I really do have the best job in the world!!! Over the years I completed the training to teach all the other programmes which I thoroughly enjoy. I have 3 children, which of course keep me busy! In my free time I volunteer as a Brownies Leader and I try fit in playing as much sport as I can into my week! -
Becky Dean
Teacher
Programme:
Baby & Pre-SchoolLocation:
Haddington, BurtonFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
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Becky Money
Senior Teacher
Programme:
Baby & Pre-School, Swim AcademyLocation:
Becky is currently on maternity leave and will be returning in 2020.Favourite Puddle Ducks activity:
My favourite activity is Belly Flop Splashes, they enjoy this activity so much!Favourite Puddle Ducks song:
I love Floaties songs, watching the babies enjoying the singing from their Mummies & DaddiesA little bit more about yourself:
I joined Puddle Ducks in April 2016. I did Aquanatal when I was pregnant with my daughter and joined Floaties when she was about 8 weeks old. I've always loved swimming, so I looked into becoming a teacher and now I have the best job in the world! Outside the pool I enjoy going on adventures with my husband and my two year old daughter. -
Emma Richardson
Teacher
Programme:
Baby & Pre-SchoolLocation:
Edith WestonFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
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Most memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
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Heather Whitaker
Teacher and Mentor
Programme:
Baby & Pre-School, Swim Academy, EliteLocation:
The Urban, South Forest, The Grange SpaFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Seahorse JumpingFavourite Puddle Ducks song:
What Shall We Do With Our Little SwimmersMost memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
So many, but I do love the moment a child with beautiful swim alignment learns to take a breath for the first time, it fills me with so much pride.A little bit more about yourself:
When not Puddle Ducking, I have a secret lego habit! I enjoy going for a run and even a swim with the local masters, over the summer months I enjoy outdoor swimming. In between looking after our 2 cats, 5 chickens and hive of bees! -
Jade Mays
Teacher and Poolside Assistant
Programme:
Baby & Pre-School & Swim AcademyLocation:
Little Carlton, Sports Direct, HaddingtonFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
My favourite activity would have to be ‘Belly flop splashes- from teacher to parent’. I love seeing the smile on the kickers faces and hearing their laughter during this activity.Favourite Puddle Ducks song:
There is so many to choose from, but it would probably be Wind The Bobbin Up. I find this song great for the children’s confidence in the water, as they have fun singing and splashing the water about. Not only do the children get splashed, they also get to splash their mummies and daddies, which they generally tend to find hilarious.Most memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
My most memorable moments would have to be those where a child overcomes a fear and accomplishes something. Whether that is refusing to get in, to then having those independent swims or being shy, to then telling me about their whole week before they get in the pool. To me being a part of that child’s journey is the best thing ever.
A little bit more about yourself:
Like most of the other members of the Puddle Ducks team, I started out as a Puddle Ducks parent and after seeing the effort everyone puts in to make a child’s experience in the water great, I knew this was a job I wanted to do. Fast forward a few years and I completed my training to be a swimming teacher, all whilst getting a Degree in Education! I have now been teaching for three years and still love it as much as the day I started. Outside of Puddle Ducks, I love to just relax and spend time with my daughter. To relax I enjoy reading a book or doing something creative (I love a good colouring book).
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Jade Wilson
Teacher
Programme:
Baby & Pre-SchoolLocation:
Queens Park Community Hub, South ForestFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Belly flop splashes. The kids love the thrill of this activity and they especially like seeing how wet their grown ups get.
Favourite Puddle Ducks song:
All the little Puddle Ducks
Most memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
Moving a nervous Little Dipper up to Dippers and watching them really grow in confidence and become a lovely independent swimmer.
A little bit more about yourself:
I have 2 small children and a hyper dog so life is never boring or quiet. I first discovered Puddle Ducks as a customer when my eldest was 9 weeks old. I absolutely loved it and soon enough both of us really couldn’t wait for our lessons. After having my youngest, I decided to apply for a Poolside Assistant job with Puddle Ducks and it was the best decision! I am now a teacher and I love every minute of it. -
Jess Meakin
Teacher
Programme:
Swim AcademyLocation:
Little CarltonFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Pyjama WeekFavourite Puddle Ducks song:
If You're Happy and You Know ItMost memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
It would be hard to choose just one moment. But my favourite moments are when a child accomplishes something amazing for them. Whether it's a nervous swimmer getting in the water for their first time, putting their head in the water after months of building up their confidence or completing a distance swim. With Puddle Ducks being child-led the success is all theirs and that is why I love this job so much.A little bit more about yourself:
I've been a Chef for 20+ years. I had my first child in 2014. We went to our first swimming lesson when she was 12 weeks old - I enjoyed the lesson so much that I knew there and then it was something I wanted to do.
I was a County Swimmer as a child and swam 6 days per week. I enjoyed it so much. Swimming has now taken over our lives between myself teaching and both my girls learning and we wouldn't have it any other way! -
Jo Bilbie
Teacher
Programme:
Baby & Pre-School, Swim Academy, AquanatalLocation:
Little Carlton, Queens Park Community Hub, DW Fitness, HaddingtonFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
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Lisa Leverton
Teacher
Programme:
Baby & Pre-School, Swim AcademyLocation:
Bainland Lodge Park, HaddingtonFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Bubbles - really important for so many aspects of swimming from age 3 to 103!Favourite Puddle Ducks song:
Can We Swim Our Best Today?Most memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
Seeing my first Dabblers class graduate to Swim AcademyA little bit more about yourself:
Originally from Kent I moved to Lincoln with my family 2 years ago on leaving the Army after 6 years service in the Royal Engineers. As a qualified PE teacher going into swimming teaching was a natural progression on leaving the forces. Puddle Ducks was my first swimming teaching job and I love every moment. -
Nick Exley
Senior Teacher
Programme:
Baby & Pre-School, Swim Academy, AquanatalLocation:
DW Fitness, Belton Woods, Oceans Grantham, Priory Witham Academy and ButlinsFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Belly Flop SplashesFavourite Puddle Ducks song:
Wiggly WooMost memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
Chloe and Issy (daughters) getting their 10m awardA little bit more about yourself:
Started off a customer, started teaching after 3 years and I've loved it ever since. -
Nina Ridout
BPS Teacher and Pool Side Assistant
Programme:
Baby & Pre-School
Location:
Nina is currently on maternity leave and will be returning in 2020.
Favourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Belly Flop SplashesFavourite Puddle Ducks song:
What’s the weather like today is my favourite and my girls love it too.Most memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
Watching any child achieve something big to them and I think I've cried with pride every time I've seen one of our Puddle Ducks achieve their 5 metres.
A little bit more about yourself:
I started my Puddle Duck's journey as a parent and loved every minute. So when a pool side position came up I jumped at the opportunity of joining the team, with the hope that one day I might train to be a teacher. After 4 years and coming back from maternity leave I made the jump and it’s been the best and scariest thing I've done. When I’m not teaching, my 3 beautiful children and my niece who I look after 2 days a week help to keep me busy as well as my horse and our dog. To me, family time is everything and they are my whole world. -
Sam Topham
Teacher
Programme:
Baby & Pre-School, Swim Academy, Elite, AquanatalLocation:
Haddington, Burton, Deans Sport & Leisure, DW Fitness, Oceans GranthamFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
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Vanessa Taylor
Teacher
Programme:
Swim AcademyLocation:
DW FitnessFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
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The Office and Poolside Teams
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Becki Foster
Role:
Office Administrator and Poolside AssistantLocation:
The UrbanFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Belly Flop Splashes or Seahorse JumpingFavourite Puddle Ducks song:
Quack Quack Said The Little Puddle Ducks One DayMost memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
When little ones first lift their heads to breathe. Never fails to make me feel proud of them (and usually a bit weepy too)A little bit more about yourself:
"I’ve been a Puddle Ducks customer now for almost 10 years with my two children! They both really enjoy swimming and I’m so pleased they’ve been able to learn such an important life skill in such a fun and nurturing environment.I started working for Puddle Ducks as a Poolside Assistant almost 6 years ago and a couple of years later joined the office team too. -
Beth John
Role:
Poolside AssistantLocation:
Queens Park Community HubFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
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Georgia Wilson
Role:
Poolside AssistantLocation:
Little CarltonFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
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Most memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
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Julie Warrington-Morrow
Role:
Poolside AssistantLocation:
HaddingtonFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Splashers doing anything! They are just at the age where it all becomes fun, and the smiles and gurgles really brighten my day.Favourite Puddle Ducks song:
Down in the JungleMost memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
Watching kids achieve their 5 metres is always special.A little bit more about yourself:
We moved up to Lincoln from Bristol in 2011 and our not so little girl Betsy was born in 2012. It was taking Betsy swimming which first introduced us to Puddle Ducks. After spending time doing voluntary work in Canada, managing a theatre box office in Bristol and working for the Arts and Humanities Research Council it was nice to concentrate on being a mum and doing a gentle fun job here, I still love it. Watching the kids progress term by term is fantastic.
Now I poolside part time while running a small jewellery making/creative business from home which has emerged out of collecting sea glass on holidays over the years.
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Laura Wilding
Role:
Poolside AssistantLocation:
Priory Witham AcademyFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
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Louise Ball
Role:
Poolside AssistantLocation:
Little Carlton, BurtonFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Monkey walkingFavourite Puddle Ducks song:
Little Peter RabbitMost memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
Watching the little ones grow in confidence with every lessonA little bit more about yourself:
I'm Mum to 4 year old Leo and it was when he first started his own swimming lessons with Puddle Ducks that I realised this company was a bit different. It was the first time he'd really engaged with swimming lessons and he started to love every minute. That's really why I became a Poolside Assistant and I love seeing the pleasure that parents and children get from their time in the pool. -
Lucy Hartley
Role:
Marketing Manager
Favourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Chasing Puddle the Duck around the pool
Favourite Puddle Ducks song:
Swim Swim Little Fish
Most memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
My son's first ever swim class when he was just 4 weeks old; he’s almost in Swim Academy now and it seems such a long time ago!
A little bit more about yourself:
I started as a “Puddle Ducks Mummy” with my little boy, Arthur. Seeing what a difference it made to him, and how much he enjoys it, I knew it was a place I could market and so when the opportunity arose I jumped at the chance to join the team.I now have 2 children who swim with Puddle Ducks and both are thriving in their different experiences. Edith, aged 1 loves monkey walking and Arthur, aged 3, loves jumping and diving.
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Lynne Slater
Role:
Office ManagerA little bit more about yourself:
I am married to Tim and have two children Joe, 22 and Lucy, 19 (Joe worked as a Poolside Assistant at Haddington before going off to University). I am originally from Ossett in West Yorkshire, but moved to Bingham 21 years ago where I was a full time Mum for 11 years before dipping my toe back into the working world. I joined Puddle Ducks in May 2012 and hope to be here for many years to come. -
Nadia Still
Role:
Poolside AssistantLocation:
Nadia is currently on maternity leave and will return in 2020.Favourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Seeing happy smiling babies and childrenFavourite Puddle Ducks song:
Jelly on a PlateMost memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
My first day!A little bit more about yourself:
I am a new member to the team and I am loving working for Puddle Ducks. I enjoy meeting new people and getting to know all the little babies and children. I have a little boy called Ariyan who is currently 11 months old. He also attends Puddle Ducks classes and loves splashing! He gets so excited when he sees the pool and realises he’s coming swimming! My hobbies include going to Zumba classes and baking yummy cakes. -
Nicola Wilson
Role:
FranchiseeFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Jelly on a Plate and Belly Flop SplashesFavourite Puddle Ducks song:
3 Little Men in a Flying SaucerMost memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
Seeing some of our first Floaties achieving their 5 metresA little bit more about yourself:
As an ex competitive swimmer, I’ve always loved the water and launched Puddle Ducks Lincolnshire in 2010 after having my two children and LOVING teaching them to swim! -
Victoria Duffin
Role:
Office AdministratorFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Belly Flop Splashes - I absolutely loved seeing my son’s face and hear him squeal with laughter and say “again” immediatelyFavourite Puddle Ducks song:
Jelly on a plate. I love seeing the anticipation in my son’s face when he knows what’s coming at the endMost memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
After taking my son to Puddle Ducks since he was 4 months old seeing it all start to fall into place and realise he had learnt so much when I saw him start to monkey walk at the local pool (and in the bath!)A little bit more about yourself:
I love swimming and both of my children started swimming with Puddle Ducks in the Floaties class. I also did Aquanatal when I was pregnant with my second son. After living in the south for over 20 years working in television production I returned home to Nottinghamshire and continued taking the children swimming with the Lincolnshire franchise. I was lucky to be offered a role as poolside assistant and then office admin. I love taking the children to their swimming classes and I’m so lucky to be involved even more with Puddle Ducks. -
Zoe Lockwood
Role:
Poolside Assistant
Location:
Zoe is currently on maternity leave and will return in 2020.
Favourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Cowboy rides!Favourite Puddle Ducks song:
I Love You... we still sing it every night at bedtime.Most memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
When my little boy jumped in for the first time!A little bit more about yourself:
I love swimming and taking my family swimming for lots of splashing fun and watching them enjoy being in the water.
I have two crazy dogs who enjoy walks in the woods. My children and I absolutely love being outside in the garden even when it’s raining! It’s great being part of the puddle ducks team and having the chance to meet lots of wonderful families on their own swimming journeys!