Paddles Swim School is a non-profit making organisation with community at the heart of what we do.

The overall aims of Paddles are:

  • To encourage the regular involvement of young people with disabilities (swimmers and non-swimmers) to participate in a swimming environment
  • To equip individuals with skills and techniques which in turn will increase confidence levels and contribute to the wider health benefits associated with regular sports participation 
  • To provide appropriate levels of support to enable an individual’s personal development 
  • To introduce swimmers to competitions through Special Olympics or Swim England
  • To provide a focus and purpose for children and young adults with disabilities 
  • To influence partnerships with different aspects of our community (schools, local authorities and clubs)
  • To provide opportunities for social networking and greater social interaction.





Anna Lavan
FIOS, MIOS(TD), FIOS(CC), FIOS(AQ)

Anna used her vast knowledge and experience of swimming teaching, coaching and mentoring to establish Paddles Swim School in 2004. Throughout her 50 years’ experience, she holds qualifications in: Swim England (SE) Level 2 swimming teaching, SE level 3 coach. Her previous roles include SE tutor, National Swimming Development Officer for Cerebral Palsy Sport, swimming teacher for local swim schools and a Talent ID Officer for Para Swimming. Anna recently accepted the role of being a swimming advisor for Special Olympics too.

Chloe Beardmore

Chloe is a SE level 2 swimming teacher whilst also leading training for manual handling. She currently works in the care profession as well as swim teaching for MyActive Cheadle and has a background as a competitive swimmer for Cheadle ASC.

Lucy Wainwright

Lucy is a SE level 2 swimming teacher and is a safeguarding lead. She is a swimming teacher for other local swim schools too.

Esther Byatt

Esther is a keen swimmer and dancer and has volunteered her time at Paddles for several years.

Caroline Haynes

Caroline is the treasurer for Paddles and also volunteers with us. She is responsible for the fundraising and funding applications for Paddles. Her previous roles include being a swim coordinator for a local swim school. Outside of this, she is a registered self- employed bookkeeper.

 



Mark Johnson

Mark is the lead teacher for Paddles’ competitive swim squad including the Special Olympics swimmers. He holds qualifications in: SE Level 2 swimming teaching, SE Level 1 swimming coaching, SE level 3 swim coordinator and is a RLSS training assessor. He also teaches for MyActive Cheadle

Becca Haynes 

Becca is a SE level 2 swimming teacher and marketing lead for Paddles. She teaches for other local swim schools and has a background in competitive swimming for Cheadle ASC. Outside of this, she is a final year business management and administration student.

Janice Burton

Janice is volunteer for Paddles and is a former British Paralympic swimmer as has achieved 23 paralympic medals after losing her sight in both eyes. She competed at Atlanta, Seoul , New York and Barcelona and was awarded an MBE in 1999.

Joshua Swindles

Josh is a young volunteer for Paddles, besides studying for his GCSEs, he has also achieved Rookie Lifeguard and lifesaving awards.



Paddles offers:

  • Swim England (SE) Learn to Swim Stages 1-7
  • SE Swimming Challenge awards
  • SE Rainbow Distance awards
  • SE Alpha Step awards


We are really grateful for the generous help we get from some kind people and organisations.

We would like to say a big THANK YOU to:

Zumba with Maura 

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