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Get to know our swim instructor Ester

August 18, 2025

Reading time: 5 minutes

Our Swim School Team have put together a few basic tips you and your child might find helpful as they progress their journey to becoming a competent swimmer.

Facilitate building trust

Children often do not know their instructor and trust is a huge part of teaching swimming. Before each lesson and in between lessons talk about the instructor using their name so the children are mentally prepared and make a big display of yourself meeting the instructor so that the children can see you trust them as well.

 

Not sure about wearing goggles

Some children really don’t like putting their googles on and using them, especially the little ones. A good tip is to let them play with them at home in the shower and bath.

Get that Streamline

The best position for moving through water is a straight line along the surface of the pool. For some kids this is a challenge but practice pretending to be an arrow or a rocket ship so that fingers part the water and keep head in line with body. 

Streamline position  - We do this with all levels starting with our toddlers by doing motor boats with them in the water. Arms stretched out in front or holding a board. Kicking legs with face in the water blowing bubbles to make motorboat noises. 

Pull - Breathe - Kick - Glide

Breaststroke can be tricky! Fix your breaststroke timing by getting the 'pull, breathe, kick, glide' sequence just right for a smooth and efficient swimming stroke.

  1. Pull with arms
  2. Breathe in
  3. Kick with legs 
  4. Glide for 3 seconds

Keep it positive 

Always talk about the positive things a child can do while swimming and only focus on that. It will build the child’s confidence, it feels good and distracts them from the things they do not like to do. 

Our swim instructors are helping teach more Australian kids everyday to become competent swimmers.

With the important job of teaching your child to swim, it is vital that swim instructors are highly experienced and educated. At Perth HPC we ensure that as well as being experienced and knowledgeable our instructors are friendly and make sure your child feels comfortable in the water when learning to swim. Each instructor also brings a unique set of teaching techniques and passions for swimming to our swim school program. 

Ester is a highly valued member of the Perth HPC Swim School team, bringing both passion and expertise to her role. With an extensive background in competitive swimming at state and national levels, she draws on her experience to deliver high-quality instruction and support, particularly for our higher-level and squad swimmers.

Get to know Ester  

Q:  What's your favourite thing about being a Swim School Instructor?

Connecting with the kids and watching them meet their swimming goals.

Q: How long have you been working with VenuesWest as a Swim School Instructor?

I’ve been with VenuesWest since November 2024. Prior to that, I coached at Margaret River Competitive Swim Squad and taught at the Margaret River Swim Academy.

Q: Where did you learn to swim?

I learnt to swim at Margaret River Swim Academy.

Q: Have you ever competed in swimming, or are currently a competitive swimmer? 

I swam for Busselton Swim Club until 2018 competing in state and national championships.

  • Held the state 50m Butterfly record.
  • Held Southwest Interschool records in 50m butterfly, 50m freestyle and 100m butterfly.
  • Achieved state qualifications and consistent top 3 results from 2014-2018 in:
    • 50m freestyle
    • 50m butterfly
    • 50m backstroke
    • 100m freestyle
    • 100m butterfly
    • 100m backstroke
    • 200m individual medley
  • Qualified for nationals in:
    • 50m freestyle
    • 100m butterfly
    • 4x100m freestyle relay

I also played underwater hockey for 2 years (2016-2017), representing WA at the Nationals where we placed first.

Q: Tell us more about your competitions?

My favourite competition was the Pacific School games in Adelaide. WA brought a team and the supportive team environment made it one of my favourite competitions.

Q: Are you studying at the moment? 

Yes, I’m currently studying a Masters of Secondary Teaching, majoring in HASS and Math.

Q: What days do you teach? 

  • Tuesday: Junior and advanced senior squads
  • Thursday: Level 7
  • Saturday: Junior, intermediate and senior squads

I also work in administration at the Swim School as a supervisor.

 

As well as our knowledgeable, experienced and friendly instructors like Ester, at Perth HPC we offer classes with low ratios to ensure maximised learning. Swimming classes at Perth HPC are continuous with a six week break in the December/January school holidays when our  Summer Holiday Swim takes off, so kids are consistently progressing their skills. To find out more about what makes our classes the best swimming lessons Claremont has to offer  click here. 

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