TOTAL IMMERSION™ GAUTENG - PAM REYNECKE

My background

I grew up in a sports crazy family - my father played league hockey till well into his fifties, my mom played tennis and bowls as well as being a swimming teacher, my eldest brother was a provincial hockey player and my 2nd eldest brother was a Springbok water-polo player.

From a young age I just wanted to swim. At the age of 8 I started my competitive swimming career training with world-renowned swimming coach Cecil Colwin. I then moved on to training with Bill Lamont and Zvi Katabi. I swam competitively till the age of 18 but then retired as most people did in SA in those days as we were considered “passed our peak” (a nice way of saying “you're too old now”!) At the age of 16 I assisted my mom with swimming lessons when she had a back operation and although she wanted me to continue giving lessons once I left school I had decided that I wanted to join the business world. I did that until my mid-twenties when I realised that I was not enjoying it and that I needed to follow my passion – I've been involved in teaching swimming ever since.

I run my own swim school in Centurion – Libra Swimming Academy - which now operates from the 3 Virgin Active Clubs in the area - Centurion, Eco Park and Rooihuiskraal. In 2007 I received a great honour by being one of three recipients of Swimming South Africa's “Instructor of the Year” award and was a finalist again in 2008. I have also received Swimming South Africa's Gold Award for more than 30 years of service in teaching swimming.

How I got involved with Total Immersion

I have always believed that one can never know everything about swimming and was continually looking for greater knowledge regarding the teaching of it. I stumbled across Total Immersion on the web in 2005 and was immediately intrigued. I attended a workshop in July 2005 with the intention of becoming a TI coach. My coach at that workshop was Gary Small who now runs TI in Spain . I was astounded at what I learnt there.

All of the courses, conferences, clinics and seminars I had previously attended had not given me the insight and knowledge I gained in one weekend. My own swimming felt wonderful too - I was hooked and there was no going back! In 2007 I travelled to New Paltz, New York to spend time training with Terry Laughlin and returned to South Africa as an accredited TI coach. What I enjoy the most about TI is the mindset of continuous improvement “kaizen swimming”. We are a family of coaches located all over the world and knowledge and ideas are shared continually. TI has helped me to become the kind of instructor/coach I always wanted to be - it will certainly help you to become the kind of swimmer you always wanted to be. Come and join me at a workshop!

I have started a group on Facebook – check it out and join us – click here

To view my profile on the TI International website click here