What Swimmers Say about my Coaching - Reviews from Fife Clients

When I first got in touch for coaching, I wanted to be able to swim more than just a handful of lengths without getting out of breath. My goal was to build endurance, get faster, and feel confident in the swim leg of triathlon events.

👉 Before coaching:

• I was out of breath after just 100m, even though I was aerobically fit
• My average pace was around 4 minutes per 100m
• Open water swimming felt daunting and stressful, and it really pushed me out of my comfort zone

👉 My coaching journey:
I had pool sessions that focused on breathing and technique, video analysis, and drills to improve my stroke. As my confidence grew, I started open water sessions too, which made a big difference. Between sessions, I practised twice a week at my local pool, focusing on technique first before worrying about endurance.

👉 The results:

• My pace improved to 2mins 30/100m and I can hold that for 50 minutes
• My breathing has massively improved — I no longer get out of breath.
• I’ve now completed two long-distance triathlons, and instead of being last out of the water, I’m now comfortably middle of the pack 🌟

I’m absolutely delighted with the progress I’ve made — it feels like a completely different experience compared to when I started!

-Rashmi

"Having swum for years but always struggling with breathlessness, I decided to take a few lessons with Round the Island Swim Coaching at Lochore Meadows. By the third session, I completed the loop around the island — and it felt almost effortless!

James is incredibly patient and insightful. While there are still areas I’m working on based on his feedback, I was genuinely surprised by how quickly my stroke improved and how much easier swimming felt.

If you're an open water swimmer looking to improve technique, breathing, or efficiency, I’d thoroughly recommend reaching out. I’ve always enjoyed swimming, but it used to feel like a battle. Last night’s swim was calm, relaxed, and I honestly felt like I could’ve kept going all night!"

-Rosslyn

"This was my first time trying open water swimming and I was super nervous. But James was so patient, calm, and reassuring that my nerves disappeared almost instantly. I ended up thoroughly enjoying the session!

If you're thinking about giving open water swimming a go — especially if you're feeling unsure or anxious — I highly recommend James. His swim coaching style is supportive, relaxed, and really confidence-boosting.

I’m already looking forward to joining some group sessions at Lochore Meadows. Thanks again, James!"

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

-Kirsty

“I started barely able to swim 5 lengths of front crawl. Now I’ve completed a 5K pool swim and confidently swim in open water — all thanks to James’s expert swim coaching.

His group sessions are supportive, technique-focused, and never boring! James is incredibly patient and knowledgeable, but he also knows how to push you to get the best out of every swim. Each session feels productive and fun.

In just 8 months, I improved from 2:48/100m to 1:45/100m — simply by following the coaching in James’s sessions and practising the drills he gave me.

I’ve gained so much confidence in the water, especially outdoors. I can’t thank James enough for helping me progress as both a pool and open water swimmer.”

-Lauren