Dear student, former student or Swim in Balance enthusiast,
The last series of 6-week courses before the summer holidays started last week. Thanks for the many registrations, fantastic! Because many people are away for a few weeks during the holidays and would therefore miss classes, we have a special program in the summer with separate workshops:
Refresher workshops are to brush up on your technique, day workshops are instead of the 6 week courses to learn a new stroke, and the back crawl is a wonderful complementary swim stroke to learn.
Refresher workshops
Has your course been a while and do you need tips to improve your technique? Has your knowledge faded? Or do you find it exciting to apply this in open water? This summer I (Esther Visser, founder of Swim in Balance) will give refresher workshops of 3 hours, in natural water. There are two types of refresher workshops:
Crawl This is for people who have previously done a basic course or level 2 crawl course with us and would like to brush up on their technique. You get a lot of personal tips, we do exercises on dry land and in the water. It takes place in natural water where you can stand. Recommendation: You can therefore also use this workshop as an introduction to swimming in open water. I will teach you to apply your (pool) technique outdoors and you will receive specific tips about open water swimming. This is not the same as in a swimming pool! For example: Swimming a straight line isn't easy, I'll pay attention to sighting: occasionally looking above the water to swim a straight course, and dealing with wind and waves.
Breaststroke/Butterfly Stroke This is for people who have previously done a breaststroke or butterfly course with us and would like to improve their technique. The basics of these strokes are completely the same, so we can combine these groups well, and it can be fun to learn how to apply these techniques in open water. For example, breathing will be slightly different because of the waves and swimming with a wetsuit is also a different experience. You will also receive additional tips to further refine your technique.
Day workshops are ideal for people who live further away, or who find it difficult to schedule a 6-week course during the year due to their work. The content of such a course (6 hours) is the same as a 6-week course. We alternate theory and practice. Do not be afraid that it will be physically tiring, because of the variety this is not the case. The result at the end of the day is often at least as good as after a 6-week course. It is important that you continue to swim regularly after the workshop, because something that you learn quickly, you quickly forget if you don't use it. At noon we have lunch together at the Fletcher hotel and there are showers and changing rooms available.
On July 30, there is also a special level 2 crawl day workshop for people who couldn't get too much data from the past courses. We refine your technique and you learn to sustain the stroke over a longer distance (this is ideal in open water!).
On Sunday July 31st I will be giving a special backcrawl workshop in the morning, from 10.00am-13.00pm, according to the Shaw Method. Also in this stroke we rotate a lot, because this gives more streamlining and is less taxing on your shoulders. It is very important to rest your head relaxed on the water. It is an advantage if you have already learned the front crawl with us, but this is not necessary. The wonderful thing is that you can just breathe and look at the sky at the same time. Especially in open water this is relaxing, because you don't have to worry about where the end of the lane is. Recommended! It is very good to alternate between the front crawl and the back crawl, because your arms rotate in the opposite direction and your muscles can recover from the other stroke. Will you join us?
A few more places for the swimming holidays in Croatia
Since the last newsletter, all single rooms for the holiday from July 1-16 are now fully booked, sorry! People who want a double room can still come along. The swimming holiday from September 23-2 will certainly continue and there are still plenty of places available. We fly from Rotterdam, so luckily there is no hassle with staff shortages at Schiphol. If you would like to join us, read more about it on the website swimming holidays in Croatia† Send a message if you are interested and I will tell you more about the possibilities.
New 6-week courses from September
If you were late in registering this lesson block or if the dates of the summer workshops do not suit you, you can already register for the new 6-week courses from September, they are back on the website! The courses are increasingly fully booked well in advance, so don't wait too long to reserve a place.
Have a nice summer!
Sincerely, Esther Visser and the Swim in Balance teacher team
PS We are expanding and therefore want to supplement our teaching team with more instructors. Are you enthusiastic about our method, do you want to learn to swim even more beautifully, are you analytical and do you like working with people next to your current job? Then write me a message and I'll tell you about the possibilities. Welcome!
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10 volunteers wanted as trial student
In the coming month, our 2 trainees will receive the last part of their training before they start as teachers in mid-April. We are looking for 10 volunteers for this.
The last free places for the new lesson block, start next week!
Next week the second block of this year starts with us. We have started the year well. Many fully booked courses and two great new teachers have started their teacher training!
Still a few spots left for the courses that start next week
The new year will start next week with us! Do you also start the new year well, with learning a healthy and efficient swimming stroke so that you can benefit from it for the rest of the year (and your life) and can swim effortlessly and with pleasure?
Black Friday discount on all courses (Dec and Jan) and trial students wanted
Tomorrow is Black Friday and we are happy to offer you a substantial discount (30 euros on courses and 7,50 euros discount on refresher lessons) if you make a booking for December (accelerated courses) or January tomorrow. On the website you can see which courses are on offer. is in Haarlem, Amsterdam and Utrecht. The discount code is: BlackFriday.
Tonight is the start of the new class block in Utrecht and next week all courses in Amsterdam and Haarlem will start again, after the autumn holidays. If you still want to join last minute, there are still a few spots available between all fully booked courses. I will list them below.
Last Sunday we returned from our third swimming holiday this year in Croatia, it was wonderful! A pleasant group of participants, nice late summer weather, everyone learned a lot, Lydia gave great lessons, we made a beautiful boat trip and followed Alexander Technique lessons, what more could you want? Next year we will definitely organize three holidays in the same place, keep an eye on the website for the dates…
Next week we will start with the new season, we are looking forward to it! The last 6-week open water courses of this summer will start next Sunday, and from Monday the 6-week courses will start in the swimming pools in Amsterdam, Utrecht and Haarlem.
News: Courses start again at the beginning of June, take advantage of the old price for the price increase in September, still a few places available for the swimming holiday in July.
Spring! Prepare now for a beautiful swimming summer…
News: In two weeks, our new 6-week courses will start again in the swimming pools in Haarlem, Amsterdam and Utrecht. We also get a lot of curious questions about our open water workshops, you are looking forward to it!
With the Swim in Balance basic crawl course I mastered the technique in a short time and in a nice way. In a nice bath and with a motivated group. Many thanks, Jenny!
- Marjoram
Very good course, Trijntje takes the time for everyone.
- Marcel
The course is recommended if you want to be able to swim the front crawl in an efficient manner, with as little stress as possible on your body.
- Kim
Now done the Chest Crawl 2 course. Can also recommend this course to everyone to dot the i's and cross the t's!
- Arjan
I really enjoy the lessons and get many new insights that help me further. Every swimming lesson I come out of the water so happy. Very nice of you to do this! Esther also looks and feels well with me. Very valuable!
- Joshine
I just wanted to say that I still have a big smile on my face now. Even though I know I'm not a born swimmer, it's all about having fun and I really enjoyed that yesterday. Very cool to experience how (part of) the global movement of the butterfly stroke feels.. It was so much fun!!!
-Thomas
Thanks to the breaststroke course, I have overcome my aversion to swimming underwater and am much more relaxed in the water. The guidance was very nice. This allowed me to step out of my comfort zone with confidence. Many thanks and maybe see you soon!
- Maaike
Nice courses! I have done both the breaststroke course and the front crawl course and I will continue until I have done all the courses. Why? It made me happy and I learned new swimming strokes in a nice way. Learning takes place in small steps, so that it is easy to follow for everyone and yet it is not boring for anyone. So the material is well put together. In addition, the courses are given by well-trained instructors who stand next to you in the water and clearly show the steps a number of times. If you want to learn how to swim well in a relaxed way, this is definitely recommended!
- Femmy
An absolute must - during the course (breaststroke) you learn to swim in a different way than you are used to. The teachers give clear instructions and also give individual feedback. In addition, I had a nice group (8 people).
- Nard
A nice personal course in a small group. Where you can crack your brain while learning a (new) swimming stroke.
- Esther
Very nice course! Good teachers and pleasant temperature water to practice well!
- love
I have rediscovered swimming in a very relaxed way.
- Thea
I am very satisfied with the way Tyrone and Esther have taught. I feel like a fish in water more than ever and the lessons at Swim in Balance definitely contributed to that. Satisfying.
- Sam
I really liked the lessons. Esther teaches in a clear and professional way and there was a relaxed atmosphere. I notice that because of this course I now come out of the water nice and relaxed after an hour of swimming. Very glad I took this course.
- Floor
Take a course. Swim in balance is good for your body and mind!
- Rosita
The step-by-step learning approach worked very well for me. Esther's feedback did the rest.
- Lidwien
I think you are doing very well from the course. You will also learn something that will benefit you for the rest of your life. Keep it up. I am glad I came to you.
- Marian
In 3 months time I can now swim 1km front crawl, I never thought that! I could barely front crawl for this.
- Martine
Very nice course where you can get out of your head and learn something new!
- Alexandra
Nice, clear, didactically well structured swimming lessons. Have therefore learned the technique and breathing at chest crawl in a relaxed way. Recommended.
- Ineke
I have (already) followed a very nice course. Under professional guidance I was taken step by step in learning a new swimming stroke. It feels like dancing in the water. Recommended!
- Danielle
During the basic front crawl course, it was explained step-by-step and clearly how we can crawl according to the Shaw method. This is quite a bit different from what I've ever learned. But because of the clear explanation and the slow build up of the battle, it was easy to adjust. Lydia was also a very nice and enthusiastic instructor.
- Hannah
If you want to learn how to swim better and have 6 evenings in a nice group…. then Swim in Balance is the right choice! in 6 evenings I learned to crawl well.
- Peter
Fantastic, every lesson gave a feeling of victory and euphoria. Guidance was excellent, no pressure but just the will to try.
- Bruno (Water Confidence course)
Every lesson something was conquered and every week my confidence in the water grew. The last two lessons I cycled home with a big smile.
- Mirella (Water Confidence course)
In 12 weeks I now swim 1000m front crawl, before this I barely made the 25m, so crazy!
- Martine
Great meaningful DIY vacation. Didn't think I could learn so much in a week.
- Rosita (swimming holiday July 2022)
What else do you want? With nice people on a trip to a sunny holiday resort and then also learn a lot. I loved this swimming vacation! Thank you Esther, Tyrone and fellow swimmers!
- Femmy (swimming holiday July 2022)
“Last Wednesday I had my first private lesson with you. We are now two days later and I am still living on the energy and relaxation of 1 hour of swimming. Every euro of the almost 600 I spent is so worth it. And that is largely due to the way Esther teaches. She is calm and knows how to convey the technique in a special way that I don't need to explain it a second time. I have already decided that after this I also want to follow front crawl 2 through private lessons.”.
- Salima
“Very nice week in a nice environment to learn the Shaw method.”
- Martin (swimming holiday May 2022)
“If like me you thought you could never learn to crawl, and if you want to learn to get more impact (not just in the pool) with less force, then this is a course to do. Accessible, nice people, interesting method, wonderful location and real results.”
- Cilia (swimming holiday May 2022)
“I wholeheartedly recommend Swim in Balance swimming holidays. Learning a new stroke really well, with all the individual guidance that every participant needs, is guaranteed to succeed here. In addition, I learned a lot about the Alexander Technique, on which Swim in Balance bases its swimming method – also super valuable for other sports, making music and life in general. Even though we worked hard, it really felt like a holiday – great to hit the sauna after a swim! I wish Swim in Balance many more happy participants!”
- Alix (swimming holiday May 2022)
“A memorable adventure, where to my amazement I really learned to front crawl, unbelievable!”
- Nicolien (swimming holiday May 2022)
"Great, fun course, does what it promises"
- Show
"During the basic front crawl course, it was explained step-by-step and clearly how we can crawl according to the Shaw method. This is quite a bit different from what I've ever learned. But because of the clear explanation and the slow build up of the battle, it was easy to adjust. Lydia was also a very nice and enthusiastic instructor."
- Hannah
"All my life I was afraid of water and afraid of learning to swim. But after 6 weeks of Water Confidence I managed to leave most of my fear behind. Fantastic, I am very grateful to you!"
- Gabor
"Take a course. Swim in balance is good for your body and mind!"
- Rosita
"I have (already) followed a very nice course. Under professional guidance I was taken step by step in learning a new swimming stroke. It feels like dancing in the water. Recommended!"
- Danielle
“I really benefit from the lessons and come home happy every time.”
- Marian
“I have never dared to put my head under water in all my life. After 2 lessons with Esther I completely got over my fear and because of that I was able to snorkel with the sea lions and their babies during my holiday in Galapagos!!! Top!!!!"
- Hannah
“I've been trying to teach myself the front crawl for years. With regular lessons you are quickly “forgotten” as a beginner. Esther teaches you, in a relaxed way, a very nice stroke without forcing your back or shoulders. From water habituation (floating) to the entire stroke. Recommended!”
- Hester
“The course really made me realize that the more aligned you are in the water, the more comfortable swimming is. Very glad I learned this, thank you!”
- Wilma
“Celebrating a holiday and also learning something has never been so much fun!”
- Esther (swimming holiday)
“Instructive course, recommended!”
- Marjoram
"Finally working on my front crawl in a relaxed way, before I mainly did this with brute force, but now through Swim in Balance courses and exercises this is done in a relaxed way, very happy with it."
- Nard
“This special journey has brought me a lot, through the Alexander swimming technique and the relaxing way of teaching I have become friends with water again. Besides this “friendship reunited”, other wonderful people and experiences have come my way. Thanks for this special week.”
- Sylvia (swimming holiday)
“My experience with the course was teaching the professional approach of the correct technique, in both the group instructions and the individual guidance, as well as the conviviality.”
- Janine
“Being always a bit afraid of the water, this has really been a life changing experience. I will not be doing the Olympics any time soon, but I definitely am happy with the outcome.”
-Monica
”I thought the crawl basic course was a very nice course, very relaxed setting, Niels is a great teacher with an eye for detail, and a clear explanation. Before the course I had no experience with the front crawl, and now I can swim the front crawl in a good and relaxed way, and I have the basics to train this stroke in a good way. Outside the bath I also benefit from the body awareness that you get in this method, so that I am more often aware of my posture and can improve it.”
- Timo
“Nice course. You learn to swim again, but in a constructive way. Very nice to discover that you can swim quickly with not much effort. And the crawl like this is a beautiful stroke.”
- Willemiek
“In small steps, with good instruction and stimulating guidance, the basics for chest crawl learned in a short time.”
- In the
“Great lessons, fun and effective.”
- Peter
“The swimming holiday to Croatia was wonderful! Good weather, beautiful people, learning new things every day in the salt water pool, fun optional activities and plenty of free time to go your own way. Perfect!"
- Lydia (swimming holiday)
“I thought it was a great experience to learn so much in such a short time! The classes were at the same time very relaxed, completely relaxed! Delicious! I had surgery on my back a few months ago, the result is not good, I hesitated to take the classes, but it has given me a lot of good! Recommended!"
- Saskia
“I was very happy with the front crawl level 1 course (in the swimming pool) as well as the 2 hour workshop in the lake 't Wed. Both have given me the skills to feel confident to swim laps in a pool or to swim in open water. Esther is a great instructor with patience and a passion for this sport. She is very relaxed and explains things in a concise and encouraging way. Anyone interested in improving their technique so you can swim more efficiently would benefit greatly from following Esther's courses.”
- Sue
“This course completely fulfills the promise! Really fun and educational to do.”
- Nicole
“Perfect course. Never thought that something I've wanted to do for years could be taught so easily. I wish I had done it years earlier.”
- Hans
“A wonderful mix of sporting effort and relaxation. Exactly what I needed! Sun, sea, salt water and inspiring swimmers!”
- Annelies (swimming holiday)
“I have experienced the Shaw Method as subtle, friendly, logical, natural, intelligent and effective. The instructors are calm and thoughtful. The technology is made up of building blocks so that you can fall back on the basics if you have lost the technology for a while.”
- Tess
“Esther taught me the basics of the front crawl in 6 lessons. The lessons are very clearly structured and ensure that you slowly get used to a new habit. The Shaw Method provides a relaxed way of swimming where relaxation is the most important. The advanced lessons allowed me to continue working on my technique and since then I have been jumping in the pool with great pleasure and confidence. Thanks!”
- Patrick
“If you thought you could swim, give this a try. You will learn relaxing techniques from expert teachers in a beautiful swimming pool on the coast of Croatia.”
- Nora (swimming holiday)
“A wonderful hour of relaxing in the water and at the same time developing more feeling. Nice to experience how effective it is to apply the Alexander Technique to swimming! I recommend it to all swimming enthusiasts.”
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