They came from as far as the Netherlands for the Flip & Float CPD held at Bury St Edmunds recently. Dutch teachers Christina and Mandy joined another eight teachers who travelled from different parts of the region to find out about Flip & Float; a new personal survival idea from STA Tutor and former Henry Pike winner, Sue Brown.

The CPD was tutored by Sue and assisted by Kim Pleszko.

John Holden, Area Officer for STA, said:

Their delivery was varied and included interactive learning through songs, storytelling, quizzes and a kinaesthetic approach, with the teachers practising the skills on dry land before doing them pool side with the children. In the final stage the children did the skills in the water.

This teaching method not only supports the swimmer but it is also very user friendly for the teacher,” added Sue who founded Flip & Float.

How effective is the scheme? Sue received the following e-mail from America:

My girls really enjoyed your swim classes last summer and just to mention, not too long after those lessons, my three year old fell into a pool fully clothed. I really think because she took the Flip & Float class and knew how to hold her breath etc it saved her life. We got her out quickly but it could have been much worse!! Thank you so much. JG June 2015