Swimming teacher who equipped 400,000 students in Peterborough with all the right strokes retires at the age of 82
A Peterborough swimming teacher who has taught 400,000 students of all ages the right strokes so they can enjoy their time in the pool, has retired at the age of 82.
Anyone who has learnt to swim in Peterborough over the last 50 years, is more than likely to have been taught Lin West.
She started teaching at Jack Hunt Pool and the Regional Pool in the late 1970s and is reckoned to have delivered more than 30,000 swimming lessons to nearly 400,000 students in the city.
During this time, she has taught many children who have gone on to swim competitively, work as lifeguards and even become swimming teachers themselves.
Lin said: “The job itself hasn’t really changed at all, mainly just the different managers that I’ve worked for, including having my son as a boss for a while.
"I would go from pool to pool to deliver lessons, often taking on different swimming classes on a temporary basis to help out, only to still be doing them years later because I loved it so much.”
She said that her enjoyment and motivation came from seeing a pupil become an able swimmer.
“Getting a child or an adult to be able to swim, there is no better feeling.
"That is what motivated me to keep teaching for so long and I would still continue to do it now, if only my body would let me.”
A special gifts presentation was organised by Vivacity’s Swim Academy team to mark Lin’s retirement.
Active Lifestyle Manager, Emma Walker, said: “I have known Lin for many years, since I was a lifeguard at the Regional Pool, and she has always been a valuable part of our Swim Academy team.
"She brings such a positive energy to poolside and keeps the children engaged, inspiring learners of all ages and acting as a role model to the other teachers.
"Lin will be hugely missed and we wish her all the best for the future.”
Local Masters swimmer, Chris Jones, was taught to swim by Lin in her early teaching days.
He said: “I met Lin at Jack Hunt Pool around 1980 and she was still giving me freestyle pointers a few months ago.
"She has taught thousands of local children the important life skill of swimming during her amazing career.
"Anyone who has been to a local pool knows exactly how massive Lin’s impact has been and it won’t be the same without her around.
"Thank you Lin, I hope you have a relaxing retirement.”
Councillor Zameer Ali, Peterborough City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Safety, said: “Congratulations to Lin, who has helped hundreds of thousands of people in our city to progress their swimming and coaching across the years.
"The Lins of this world are the people who take very little but give so much to others, boosting their confidence, and mental and physical well-being. Have a great retirement.”
Vivacity’s Swim Academy provides swimming lessons for all ages and abilities, following Swim England’s ‘Learn to Swim’ programme. Lessons are available at Jack Hunt Swimming Pool and Vivacity Premier Fitness. Visit vivacity.org/swimacademy to find out more.