About us

Sharkz Aquatics is a family-owned swim school providing swimming lessons, coaching and water safety awareness on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal.

Swimbelt

Meet the Team

Illse – Administration Guru

Illse is a multitasker of note. She is responsible for accounts, bookings, marketing, and communications. Feel free to contact Illse with any questions you may have.

Ethan – Avid Supporter

A burst of youthful energy and enthusiasm, our son Ethan is our biggest supporter and inspiration, in and out of the pool.

Edward – Swim Coach

Edward has been coaching and teaching children, Adults and Law enforcing officers since 1998.

As a coach, Edward’s primary duties include instructing swimmers on water confidence, helping improve swimming technique and developing areas of swim advancement.

However, whether coaching toddlers on basic swimming instruction or training adults, Edward’s first matter of importance is the responsibility of swimmers’ safety. 

Edward, Ilse & Etahn Holden Smith
Edward in the pool with Ethan

This is how we do it

Sharkz Aquatics employs a unique way of coaching, being in the water with the student at all times, depending on the student’s level of competency.

We adhere to an effective results orientated program that is not demanding on the students.

We do an unofficial evaluation during each lesson, and an official evaluation once a year when we hand certificates out to each of our students according to their competency level.

Ed is a great teacher and coach. You can never go wrong with him as your coach.

Madelein Fourie – 12 Oct 2018

The way we coach

We give clear instructions in a fun-filled environment. Our students (children) learn through games and individual challenges according to their abilities.

We follow an age-specific program, keeping same-age students together. We also have smaller intimate groups.

Our Lessons & Programs

Shark Pups

Rudimentary Pre-control Stage

Aimed at children aged 17 to 23 months, this program’s lessons serve to introduce the student to the pool.

We help the student to anticipate the movement and exercises (sensory development) to assist them with participation in the water activities.

This is part of the foundation phase in child development. The aim is to help the student enjoy water activities.

We do not endorse any forceful swimming or “drown proofing” exercises for our students.

Edward in the pool with a Shark Pup student
Edward in the pool with two student using kick boards

Learn to Swim

Fundamental Movement Stage

This stage is directed at children between the ages 2 to 7 years.

This is an essential, deep-seated phase in a child’s development. It is during this stage that a child must learn how to perform a movement in order to be a natural action.

  • Introduction to safety in the water
  • Basic mobility in water
  • Introduction to crawl and backstroke

Specialized Movement Stage

Once the student has successfully completed stages 1 and 2 of the swim program, we can start with stroke training.

Stroke training comprises of:

  • Crawl and Backstroke.
  • Introduction to Breaststroke and Butterfly.
  • Advancement of Breaststroke and Butterfly
  • Correct starts, turns and finishes of the four swim disciplines.
  • Specializing level – Competition ready

Along with stroke development, the students will be trained in fitness according to age.

Edward coaching a student in the Anerley tidal pool

Safety First

We teach safety in and around the pool.

We teach our students what to do should they fall into a pool and how to get out the water without help.

Students learn to swim independently with and without floatation devices.

Giving Back to the Community

We believe in giving back to the community. Due to the drowning statistics in South Africa, we sponsor children whose parents cannot afford lessons. These children join our interactive classes and finish our “learn to swim” program with the introduction of crawl and backstroke.

Partnering in Education

Swimming with Sharkz Aquatics is an educational experience! Not just a sports activity.

We do teach children how to swim using somatic and methodical features, but there is so much more which the coach offers the student.

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