And it’s not going to be all sunshine and beaches…
I’ve been swim teaching since I was 16. That’s nearly 6 years of my life teaching. Plus 2 years before that assisting. And it’s the only job I’ve ever really loved. It’s taken years of practice, learning and trying new things but getting out of the pool is one of the only times I’ve walked out of a job with a smile on my face and excited to go again tomorrow!
But I also really loved travel. Remember all those years ago when we could get across the country with a passport and boarding pass? No need to Passenger Locator Forms, proof of vaccination, 100 tests and the stress of symptoms turning up the day before?
Good times.
Anyway, Australia was a real joy. I loved exploring and capturing all those moments and experiencing a whole new culture all on my own. I discovered an independence and confidence I wouldn’t have had a chance to experience before then!
So why Bali?
The charity SwimTayka run in partnership with swim schools across the world to offer swim lessons where they aren’t always as easily accessible. One of my passions is honestly Water Safety. It doesn’t take much to know how to be safe but it takes educating. And if you’re not educated, the results can easily become fatal.
SwimTayka take on volunteer swim instructors to go out and teach their programs so that a generation can become wiser and safer around the water and drowning can be a less common occurrence especially where so many of these places are surrounded by plenty of water.
Bali took our fancy and their program there looks incredible.
But more importantly what actually happens when we’re out there?
First, we get training in their program. We get shown their Scheme of Work and learn exactly what we’re teaching and what our outcome goals are for the swimmers 2 week programs.
We also receive a few lessons in Indonesian to communicate better with the swimmers and hopefully be able to immerse ourselves more within the culture!
Every Monday to Friday we take a couple of hour long classes to go through water safety skills in the pool and practical swimming techniques for the swimmers to learn to practically stay safe in the water and keep others a little safer.
There’s also a few class room sessions to learn what’s in the water and teach a little more theory on the water without the fun distraction of the pool!
The whole trip is an absolute joy, I’m so excited to be able to travel, experience such a vastly different culture and be supporting the mission of SwimTayka. But we also do get the opportunity to explore what Indonesia (and hopefully a few surrounding countries) offer!
Before we start jetting off though, our biggest task is our fundraising. With the massive mission of running these sessions to the local children, the charity has a big job bringing money in. And our volunteering comes on the condition of our fundraising. And that’s where we are taking all the support we can get…
We’re so grateful to everyone who has been part of the journey so far and who has sent us supportive messages! It’s amazing to be able to share the journey and bring awareness for the charity! Please keep in touch, get in contact ot join the Facebook group to see all of what we get up to!!! ❤️
Keeping up with Beth 
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