As part of our Love the Water campaign, we’re celebrating the incredible real-life stories of families whose Water Babies journeys have transformed life far beyond the pool. From building confidence and strengthening bonds to overcoming long-held fears, our lessons are designed to create positive, lifelong relationships with water. In her own words, Danielle shares her powerful journey—from navigating her fear of swimming to discovering joy, confidence, and unforgettable moments in the water alongside her little boy, Teddy. Her story shows just how deeply Water Babies lessons can shape not only a child’s development, but a parent’s connection to the water too.
Learning the Basics
“I can teach you how to swim.”
At age 23, I looked over to my long-term partner as he said these words to me, not as a question but as a certainty. Before I replied, I thought about all the others that have said a similar thing to me throughout my life, family members, friends, PE teachers and swimming instructors. I thought about how each of these experiences were never about them being incapable teachers but instead about me being a fearful student. Because I was too afraid to put my face in the water and stuck in the shallow end because I couldn’t swim.
And if I couldn’t swim, I would sink.
And if I did sink, I would be underwater.
And if I was underwater, the fear told me there’d be no getting back to the surface.
Knowing all this, I looked at the man I loved most in the world, the man who loved me and for years had made me feel safe and protected, the man who I trusted with my life. I took a deep breath and simply said, “You can try.”
I’m Danielle, and 7 years ago I learned how to swim. Once I’d learned the basics, swimming became my exercise of choice—but my fear of water persisted and held me back. Despite being able to swim laps, I still didn’t want my face wet. Often, after swimming sessions, I would leave with pain in my neck from trying to keep my head above the water, rather than in the muscles I’d been using to swim. If water splashed in my face, I would lose my stroke and flail in the pool until I managed to clear it. I would anticipate and turn my head if another swimmer was coming down the lane to avoid being hit with any water from their momentum, and I would certainly never go under the water myself. Despite being able to swim, many aspects of my fear of the water were still stopping me from fully enjoying being in the water.
Being unable to swim until adulthood—and having a fear of water—kept me from so many activities when I was growing up. From fun days out at swimming pools with inflatable obstacle courses to water slides at Aberdeen Beach Leisure Centre (in Scotland), I was never able to enjoy the water—even when we visited a water park during a family vacation to Orlando. I didn’t have the confidence to tackle my fears, so I didn’t have the option to be involved in those things.
Becoming a Mom & Starting Our Water Babies Journey
When I became a mother to my little boy, Teddy, in 2023, I decided to start lessons with him at Water Babies when he was just 3 months old. I didn’t want Teddy to grow up with the same fears I did, and I knew starting lessons from a young age would help build his water confidence and keep him from getting in his own head and panicking. I wanted my son to be able to swim and have a positive relationship with the water—so he’d have the choices I never did.
Even if Teddy grows up to rarely swim or decides to skip the pool parties and water parks I can, as a mother, safely assure myself that I have given my child the best opportunities and tools to make that choice. My son deserves the world and if that means having to face my fears, then so be it.
I remember a wave of dread washed over me as I exited the locker room for our first lesson. Our lesson was being held at the far end, with the steps to enter the water on the other side of the pool. A thousand thoughts went through my head while I watched our teacher set up for class, looked to the other parents for any signs of nervousness, and tried to convert my height from meters to feet to reassure myself I could touch the bottom. “How am I supposed to swim holding a baby?” In the moment, it felt like I’d made a terrible mistake.
Mustering the confidence to enter the water, I was relieved to learn I could indeed touch the floor, and my head was well above the surface. I managed to speak to our wonderful teacher Nikki about my concerns and lack of confidence in the water, and she happily answered all my anxiety-fuelled questions about participating in the lesson. Oddly, I wasn’t at all worried about Teddy swimming in the pool because logically that’s why we were there and he was 3 months old, nobody expected him to be able to swim! I was exponentially more nervous about the swimming ability expected of me.
In our first lesson Teddy, the most precious being in my life, went under the water twice and safely returned to the surface. It was incredible watching my little boy achieve with his teeny 3 months of life something I still hadn’t managed to conquer myself. Filled with pride for my little one, the nerves crept in again when I asked Nikki another question, “Do parents have to go under?” Nikki assured me we had time to build my water confidence so when the time came to go under myself and share that amazing moment with Teddy, I could. In the moment though, all I could do was doubtfully reply, “I can try.”
And I did.
Gaining Confidence in the Water
It’s been over 2 years since that first lesson with Nikki and both Teddy and I have achieved so much. Armed with my goggles and a nose clip, I can now go underwater, confidently blow bubbles while dipping my nose in, and I can even glide underwater while holding my son out in front of me. I’ve even taken part in one of Water Babies’ underwater photoshoots.
When we attended our first underwater photoshoot, I declined to be in the photo and instead threw Teddy’s grandad in with him (thanks, Dad!). The second time the photoshoot came around, however, I was determined to go under with my water baby. Now I have two wonderful sets of photos of Teddy that not only show him growing up through his time with Water Babies, but also remind me of my own strength and achievements as a mom.
Finding Joy in the Water
For anyone who can relate to my story and may be feeling anxious about taking their little one swimming, my greatest advice would be to try and remember who you are doing this for. If I was still swimming on my own, I would still be leaving the pool with a sore neck and barely wet hair. Teddy is the beacon of my life and watching him learn new skills and fall in love with the water drives me to keep pushing myself to enjoy it even half as much as he clearly does.
I may have missed out as a little girl, but I refuse to miss out on making memories in the water with my son today. I dream of Teddy being older and jumping full force into swimming pools with his friends, of sunny vacations by the beach with silly colorful inflatables, and of a day—hopefully not too far away—when he asks me, “Mommy, can you come down the water slide with me?” And with zero hesitation I can reply, “Yes baby, Mommy can.”
Starting Your Water Babies Journey
Whether you’re confident in the pool or still finding your feet, Water Babies is here to support both you and your child every step (or splash!) of the way. Take the first step today by finding a class near you.
