Mytime Active stories - Scarlett
Scarlett Ford - Learning a life skill with Mytime Active.
Scarlett Ford began her swimming journey with Mytime Active when she was just 10 weeks old. Now she has completed all 10 stages of Swim England’s Learn to Swim course, getting her final certificate just after her 10th birthday, and has become the youngest child on Mytime Active’s Rookie Lifeguard course at Darrick Wood.
Her Mum Michelle says: “I firmly believe swimming is a life skill and it’s our duty to teach our children. That’s why I started parent and baby swimming lessons with Scarlett when she was just a few weeks old and why we still go every week, in every weather, come what may. I remember dragging us there in the middle of winter when I was pregnant with her siblings! We worked our way up through the stages at Darrick Wood Pool, then at the Walnuts before it closed. Now’s we’re back at Darrick Wood, with Ivan, who Scarlett loves as she’s been taught by him on and off since she was a toddler.
“That’s one of the reasons we love swimming lessons at Mytime Active. We’ve got to know all the instructors and they know Scarlett and my other children – the continuity is brilliant. It’s more than just a job for them; they know the kids as individuals and that’s priceless. They’ve always pushed her just the right amount, honing her skill and technique. I am amazed by how beautifully she swims now, even at such a young age. Last week she swam 75 lengths!
“As Scarlett got older, she became motivated by getting all the different swim caps as she progressed up through the levels. She loves swimming and how free she feels. It’s her time to lose herself in the pool. When she achieved Level 10, she decided the competitive swim club was not for her, so now she’s doing the Rookie Lifeguard course. I couldn’t be prouder.
“She’s in the pool with much older children but she’s smashing it; she’s got all the right techniques because of the lessons she’s done. The years of taking her every week have really paid off, she’s safe and confident in the water and it’s magical to see. Having the same teachers makes all the difference – it helps her feel self-assured, even when the lessons are tough. She’s set up for life in the water now. Mytime Active has been wonderful; the staff love what they do, they care about the kids and want them to develop. That makes all the difference.”