Zoe

I was always a swimmer, turned competitive swimmer. I swam for Antrim then Lisburn competitively, however, education and the desire to try other sports took over. My strokes are butterfly and front crawl. I do enjoy breaststroke too, with back stroke being my least favourite. In 2004 I qualified & taught swimming for the American Red Cross at Camp Waukeela, New Hampshire for 12 weeks via the Camp America programme. On return to university in Portsmouth I decided on a change and transferred to Napier here in Edinburgh to complete my BSc Hons in Sport & Exercise Science. In 2007/8, I was promoted into the role of swimming co-ordinator at David Lloyd, Newhaven Harbour where I managed to grow the swimming programme from a handful of students to over 200 students. In 2009, I left to teach swimming at Next Generation, North Ryde, Just outside Sydney, Australia. On returning to Edinburgh I taught for many well known swim schools and was co-ordinator for swimming nature. I knew I could use all my gained knowledge to start Zest Of Energy Exclusive Swim School, now a limited company. Although I taught for myself and grew my business a little, Zest was only first established in 2015. Not long after, I was lucky enough to have the lovely Lorraine join me, we moved from The Roxburgh, to The Macdonald Holyrood, to Energize. I have the best team around me, Jen (who is now the backbone of rebooking and general timetabling), the lovely Lorraine who has been with me since day 1, Melissa (who actually qualified as a swimming teacher alongside me when I was converting my American swimming qualifications), Melissa’s husband Richy, Son Jasper, Dani, & most recently added to the team Phil. From teaching only 1:1 classes, myself and Lorraine, we are now this strong team of 8 and growing. I have just completed my tutors course for Level 1 & Level 2 teaching aquatics, so we may be able to introduce new amazing swimming teachers to our ever growing team very soon. The dream is to eventually have our own EXCLUSIVE swimming centre! I am also a specialist swimming teacher for those with Disabilities, Anxiety, Baby/Toddlers and adults, and just achieved my swimming coach certificate and Fin 2 Fit certificate. The swim school has graciously received its Swim Mark and STA Swim Star status in recent months. We continue to thank all of our dedicated followers and swimmers, past, present and future.