About us
Waves Swim School was launched in September 2018 by Cath Watson and Lauren Candler. Both Cath and Lauren are fully qualified swimming teachers, full insured and DBS checked.
Lauren Candler
I have been teaching swimming for 17 years and most people will recognise me from Littlehampton Swimming Centre. Over the years I have taught all ages and abilities from pre-school through to adults, beginners through to squads. I absolutely love teaching and find it such a rewarding and fun job!
My interest in swimming began when I was 5 years old and I joined Littlehampton Swimming Club. During my competitive swimming career I swam for Havant and Waterlooville Swimming Club and in 1997 I set a British Junior Record in the 50m Breaststroke. At 15 years old I joined Portsmouth Northsea and got selected to swim in the European Junior Championships in Russia in 1999.
On completion of my A-levels it seemed like a natural progression to become a qualified swimming instructor and share my love of swimming with others. That is exactly what I did and I have been teaching ever since!
I have always dreamt of owning my own swim school and creating a relaxed and personal environment for people to learn to swim in. As both of my children are now at school I am fortunate enough to be able to pursue this dream with my business partner Cath.
Cath Watson
Thank you for taking the time to look at our website, and for giving us a chance to tell you a little bit about who we are at Waves Swim School.
My name is Cath, and my husband and I live with our three daughters and our son, in the local area. Our Children all attended Summerlea School over the years, and our youngest two have only a few years left.
Having already trained to be a primary school teacher at King Alfreds College in Winchester,
it was when our youngest child first started school that I decided to train to be a swimming teacher and began teaching swimming at Littlehampton Swimming Centre. I was able to combine the love of teaching and the love of swimming together.
I have a long history at Littlehampton Swimming Centre, starting from being one of the first in the Swim squad when I was primary age; to training to be a lifeguard; to becoming a lifeguard and working there for around 6 years, and then in the holidays while I was at university.
As well as teaching school aged children, and adults, I am also qualified to teach babies and toddlers. This, to me, is a vital stage in ensuring the love and respect of the water at a very young age. Too many children go through life not enjoying the many benefits that learning to swim and be safe in and around water has to offer.
Lauren and I look forward to welcoming you to our Swim School, where we will endeavour to provide a calm and relaxed atmosphere for babies, children and adults to learn to swim.