The next interview of our Let’s Talk series is with a familiar face around our facilities, our Operations Manager, Aaron.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do at DSH?

My name is Aaron, I’m the Operations Manager and I’ve been working at Davina’s for many years. I do a lot of different things at DSH. I make sure things run smoothly and everyone has all the necessary tools to be successful in their various roles. Additionally, I ensure that everyone who comes to swim, whether it be staff, clients, or parents, is happy and feels like they had a wonderful time at all our locations no matter where they swim. 

 

What do you like most about swimming?

I find swimming very relaxing. I like swimming because it works out your whole body and all the different muscles you can’t work out doing other types of exercises. And also because it is a lot of fun!

 

What do you like most about teaching how to swim?

I like seeing all the little kids progress and making sure they have a good time and lots of fun while learning at the same time. It’s great to see them leave with a smile on their face because they enjoyed their lesson so very much. 

 

What’s the most challenging part about being a swim instructor?

Having to change your approach from class to class based on the age or level of the swimmers. You need to make sure that the manner in which you are addressing the swimmers fits with their particular disposition, age, desires, and with what they want to get out of each session. 

 

Any advice for future swim instructors?

Make sure you have a good mentor, potentially an older instructor who’s taught for a little bit longer than yourself, that is available to give you any tips or tricks or advice when you find you have a challenging swimmer or class. That way you can use their experience to help you with your lessons. 

 

Why should parents sign up their kids for swim lessons?

Because it’s a fun activity to do. It is something that they will be able to do for the rest of their lives, it gives them different skills that they can use in various other areas, and its something that they can then pass on to their friends, kids, or other people they interact with in the future. 

 

Any advice for parents?

Parents should trust the instructor. If they have a nervous kid, they should know that they’re more nervous than their swimmer, even though their swimmer is potentially very scared and apprehensive. They should give their swimmer to the Supervisor, who will make sure that the instructor gets them comfortable in the water and trust that they’re gonna make sure they have the safest, most fun time, as possible. 

 

And finally, any advice for swimmers?

Keep swimming, never stop. As soon as you stop you lose your momentum, your endurance, and your technique. Swimming is an ongoing skill that you should always continue doing, no matter if you’ve been doing it for 10, 20 or 30 years, it’s always fun to keep swimming because you may learn something new. 

Thank you for your time Aaron! Want to learn more from our team? Check our past Let’s Talk interviews with Kate and Davina.