Testimonials

Jean Greenfield | 68 years old | Retired |Hainault

Well I come across him at Fullwell Cross Leisure Centre , where I go to get water confidence. I saw David teaching people  to swim and was very impressed with his results so I approached him to ask if he could teach me, a non swimmer, to which he replied YES.

In the first lesson he taught me to streamline and I managed to do a few strokes, he really managed to gain my confidence in no time.

He actually got me to front crawl, back stroke, float, tread water, open water survival techniques, float on my back, and so on.....  I  can now even complete 16 full lengths in the swimming lanes.

David even got me jumping in at the deep end which is 4 metres. Then he got me sit diving in, then a stand up and dive, and then dive in  and continue on to a swim.  All this was achieved in just a few very good value lessons. 

Before I met this passionate instructor I wouldn't go beyond 4'6"  as I was too frightened to get out of my depth.

I should add that  I am only five foot tall and have arthritis in my left arm, lymph nodes removed from my right arm due to breast cancer which I have now recovered from.

I hope this testimony inspires more of  you to conquer your fears. I am glad I put my trust in David, and I will be recommending him to anyone who wants to learn how to swim, and  so much more.

Fullwell Cross  Leisure Centre  April 2017  

Tazeen Usmani | Orthodontist | Prestbury |​ Near Manchester

I have always been terrified of deep water and  could just about swim, but would never go into the deep end. I make sure my feet were touching the ground. Then my lovely sister in law told me about David Hutchinson. I was not sure what to make of this and as she also had this  great fear, but was now comfortable in deep water. I felt I needed to give him a shot!

I live in Prestbury Cheshire near Manchester, but I thought it was important for me to conquer this fear. I have had two swimming teachers before who taught me in shallow water, where I could touch the ground so  I could not take them seriously!  I was terrified going to London for my first lesson . It took me 3 hours to travel to David who immediately put me at ease, although I was still very nervous inside.    My sister in law had learnt to tread water in her first hour. I could not believe I would be able to do this.   

We began with under water breathing  which was new to me, and slowly in the next hour I was to learn how to tread water in 4 metres of water! Unbelievable!!!! I could not believe I did it in the first hour.   I managed to have another 30 mins so I also learnt how to  back stroke. A week later I came back  to London again to make sure it had not been just a dream. My teenage boys were certainly in disbelief. I was a little anxious to start , but again David put me at ease.

I feel David almost hypnotises you. He uses a very holistic approach. Very positive and encouraging. I can not recommend him enough. I even jumped into the pool something I have never done. It does sound ridiculous that a grown adult could be so scared of water.   I feel a new road has appeared in my life, that makes me realise I really can do anything I want !!! On holiday the thought of snorkelling would fill me with dread! I can’t wait to try now .

I cannot thank David enough, travelling six hours there and back was worth it!​

Fullwell Cross  Leisure Centre  January  2018

Dawn West  | 47 Yrs  |  Midlands |  Social Worker  

But I have been so frustrated over the years as my husband and three children could all swim, that I needed to get over this phobia.    

I  didn't know if  I would ever be confident enough to go near the water, as I would sit high up in the viewers gallery when the family went to the local pool. Anyway I heard about an Instructor that had a reputation to get fearful people swimming in their first lesson.  I was very sceptical about that but when I spoke with him he was extremely confident about what he could do so I opted for the non swimmers package.             

He was very convincing and  had a very reassuring approach and gave me an amazing insight into aquatics. This was ideal for a disbelieving non swimmer. 

The whole experience with him  has transformed my life. I really find it hard to believe that  I was able to go eight metres as my very first swim. I now go swimming twice a week with my friends to keep fit.           

                                                                                                                                                              The 1-2-1 session was second to none.  As a mature lady a long drawn out group setting was never going to be the way I would choose to learn to swim.  Anyway I was challenged to take his non swimmers package and with this fast tracked session  I would come out of the pool as a swimmer within the session. The instructor was right and I was amazed that it only took 21 minutes before I was able to make my first swim.

Bushey Grove Leisure Centre 2016

Nasima  Natha |  45 Yrs |  East London |  Pharmacist  

Nearly 45 years on this Earth and having achieved as much as I thought possible for myself during this time - but knowing there was always the one thing I avoided very well !! SWIMMING!!! 

I've been fortunate enough over the years to be able to go on lovely holidays around the world with my family but there was always something missing. Not being able to enjoy myself with my husband and children in the pools has always been the downside to my holidays!!! 

I developed a fear of swimming as a child due to an incident where another child tried to dunk me in the water and that left me traumatised for all these years. I'd had enough of not having fun with the family in the water and the endless unsuccessful attempts my husband made to teach me led me to David Hutchinson! I finally decided to do something about my fear of water and inability to swim. 

I first spoke to David on the phone and he immediately instilled confidence and excitement into me. His calm yet driven approach alongside his amazing experience and knowledge of swimming and all that comes with this life skill has changed my life forever. Within three lessons David has alleviated my fears and given me so much motivation to succeed. He is an outstanding teacher and worth every penny. Your success is his success and that is apparent from the onset. I cannot wait for my next lesson and what I will learn next!!!! Thank you David for changing my life for the better!

Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre,  October  2021

Mary Hammond | Retired  |  65 years |  Barkingside 

When I read all the testimonials I know exactly what they mean. It's all true. David is not just a brilliant teacher; he is the perfect teacher. Like some of the other over 60 year olds David has taught I didn't have any technique and I was scared to be out of my depth for too long.

However, because of a knee operation he advised me  to learn the freestyle technique. Now  I had tried  with other lessons but I really learned nothing in them.  I believe It was my lucky day when I found David because he really  focuses only on his pupil and works at their rate.

He never pushes too far or makes demands. You know how some teachers pressure you and it's frightening. That never happens with David. He has a facility to understand your swimming needs and he can match his teaching so finely to bring about progress very quickly. it's like magic.

So you end up with so much ability in the water and with much confidence. 

But more than that he is such a professional. I cannot stress this point  enough. And very engaging, he makes learning to swim such  fun. He gave me so many little idiosyncratic pointers to improve my swimming that were also  funny and spot on.

David is not just talented he is gifted in this work. I am really grateful. Thank you David!!​

Fullwell Cross Leisure Centre and

Waltham Forest Feel Good Centre March 2018