Even Olympic Swimmers need excellent teachers.

Did you know that Adam Peaty - British Olympic swimmer, Triple Olympic Champion and holder of two world records in the pool, was scared of the water as a child?* 

He didn’t start swimming lessons until he was nine years old, but once he did, and with the right teacher by his side, everything changed. At Make Waves, we know that confidence in the water starts with the right environment.

That’s why we keep our swimming classes small, with a maximum of just four students per session.

Purposely small swimming classes for individual attention:

Whether it’s at our Bideford swim school, or at our classes in Torrington, our great swimmer-to-instructor ratio means every child in our pool gets plenty of individual attention, quicker progress, and the reassurance they need to feel safe and supported, building a strong relationship of trust between our swimmers and swimming teachers.

Building confidence in the water:

It’s so much more than just the teaching strokes. Our lessons are tailored to build confidence, independence, and a genuine love for the water.

Our instructors are highly trained and passionate about helping each child thrive, whether they’re total beginners or already working on technique. The smaller the class, the more progress we see, and the more fun the kids have along the way.

A swim school led by experts:

We’re proudly led by owners Heather Matthews and Tina Haigh, who bring over 40 years of combined experience in teaching and developing swimming lessons.

Their passion for creating a supportive, high-quality learning environment is at the heart of everything we do. 

Before her relocation to the UK, Tina served as Vice President of the Swim Coordinators Association of Western Australia - bringing a global perspective and proven leadership to our North Devon community.

With their expert guidance, every lesson from the Make Waves team is designed to help our swimmers grow in confidence, skill, and love for the water.

We’re here to give Bideford children that same chance - to grow their confidence, enjoy the water, and maybe even discover a lifelong passion - all in a calm, supportive and professional setting. To register your interest in taking classes with us here at Make Waves click here.

*Adam Peaty: Rio Olympics gold medal swimmer 'was scared of water'-BBC News