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:
Haddington, Oxton Hill, The Urban, Stoke RochfordFavourite 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 Money
Senior Teacher
Programme:
Baby & Pre-School, Swim AcademyLocation:
Haddington, Girton, Woodhall Spa and DW FitnessFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
My favourite activity is Throw The Kicker, 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. -
Heather Whitaker
Teacher and Mentor
Programme:
Baby & Pre-School, Swim Academy, EliteLocation:
The Urban, South Forest and Stoke Rochford, Oxton HillFavourite 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:
DW Fitness, Oxton Hill, Haddington and UrbanFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Throw the kicker, I love seeing the look of excitement on the kickers facesFavourite Puddle Ducks song:
I love all the songs, but my favourite has to be “Wind the bobbin”, seeing all the little dippers having fun splashing and it’s great for their water confidenceMost memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
When I had a nervous swimmer , who wouldn’t join in the lessons, who after a couple of weeks couldn’t wait to come to their lesson
A little bit more about yourself:
Starting out as a puddle duck parent, I was able to see the fantastic work the puddle ducks team do, fast forward a few years and I’ve now completed my baby & preschool and swim academy training and I love it!! When i’m not in the pool teaching, you can normally find me in another pool having a fun swim with my daughter. I also volunteer at a primary school and have just completed my Foundation Degree. -
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 IntermediatesA 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, The Urban, Stoke Rochford, Southwell and ButlinsFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Throw The KickerFavourite 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. -
Zoe Jansen
Senior Teacher
Programme:
Baby & Pre-School, Swim Academy, Aquanatal
Location:
DW Fitness Lincoln, Queens Park, Louth, Haddington and Wragby
Favourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Rhythmic breathing activities – From bubble blowing practise above the water to flat alignment head down breathing, lifting for a breath distance swims to pancakes – rotating 180’ to breathe.
Favourite Puddle Ducks song:
The Welcome Song!Most memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
Seeing a child go from Pre-School classes into Swim Academy classes for the 1st time (every time I send a child up really)
A little bit more about yourself:
I love swimming, teaching children and being able to make professional relationships with all different kinds of people. Away from work my daughter keeps me busy - I like rock climbing, fitness and eating posh food :P -
Janine Ridout (Nina)
BPS Teacher and Pool Side Assistant
Programme:
Baby & Pre-School
Location:
Queens Park
Favourite Puddle Ducks activity:Ducks activity: Throw the Kicker
Favourite 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 meters.
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.
The Office and Poolside Teams
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Becky Foster
Role:
Office Administrator and Poolside AssistantProgramme:
Baby and Pre-SchoolLocation:
The UrbanFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Throw the Kicker 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.
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Grace Leadbeater
Role:
Poolside AssistantProgramme:
BPS & Swim AcademyLocation:
Urban Hotel / SouthwellFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Jumping in!Favourite Puddle Ducks song:
Jack and JillMost memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
My first pyjama week!A little bit more about yourself:
I’m a college student who lives in Bingham. I love college, my friends, my work and my dog, Louis the Basset Hound. -
Julie Warrington-Morrow
Role:
Poolside AssistantLocation:
HaddingtonFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Watching the little ones enjoy a new watery world.Favourite Puddle Ducks song:
Welcome everyone to Puddle Ducks!Most memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
Watching my daughter becoming more confident in her swimming lessons after years of not wanting to go underwater.A little bit more about yourself:
I spent years living in Bristol and working for the Bristol Old Vic Theatre and the Arts and Humanities Research Council after a couple of summers recording and filming Orcas on the west coast of Canada for www.orcalab.net. We moved up to Lincoln in 2011 and had Betsy in 2012 who I have been bringing up until she went to school in September. Now I craft/sew for half the week and am hoping to set up an online shop which should fit nicely around Puddle Ducks shifts. -
Karen Carling
Role:
Poolside AssistantProgramme:
Baby and Pre-SchoolLocation:
Queens Park and The UrbanFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
Rolling along the float and falling into the water in Pyjama weekFavourite Puddle Ducks song:
Got to be Jelly on a Plate!!Most memorable Puddle Ducks moment:
Seeing the girl who used to be so nervous in the water achieving her 5mA little bit more about yourself:
I’m a Mum to 2 girls aged 5 and 7 who have both swum with Puddle Ducks since babies – in fact my oldest was one of Nic’s first Floaties! I love swimming so was keen to start the girls as soon as possible and they both love their lessons in Swim Academy. I’m trying to keep myself fit and have signed up to do a half marathon next year! -
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 only just over a year now but 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 who loves his swimming lessons. 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. -
Lynne Slater
Role:
Office ManagerA little bit more about yourself:
I am married to Tim and have two children Joe, 19 and Lucy, 16 (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 18 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 AssistantProgramme:
Baby and Pre-SchoolLocation:
Queens Park and GirtonFavourite 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 Throw the KickerFavourite 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:
Poolside Assistant & Office AdministratorLocation:
HaddingtonFavourite Puddle Ducks activity:
“Throw the Kicker”. 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 office admin. I love taking the children to their swimming classes and I’m so lucky to be involved even more with Puddle Ducks
