The Teachers
Erzsike Kieviet
Owner of Blaauwklippen Aquatics
Privileged to be one of the few people to do the AQUATOTS training one on one with Nell White, a pioneer in infant swim teaching and the Founder of the AQUATOTS Swim Program, I gained the most valuable knowledge and developed a love for infant and toddler swimming.
Nell White, awarded in 2003 at the World Aquatic Babies Congress (WABC) Hawaii, for her efforts in advancing baby swimming around the world, revolutionised infant swimming in her own country, South Africa. Nell White is also the respected author of “Todswim SA”, Swimming South Africa Accreditation Course for Toddler Swim Teaching. She is also acknowledged by The Australian Council for Teaching of Swimming and Water Safety (AUSTSWIM) for her contribution to the AUSTSWIM manual, “Teaching Infant and Preschool Aquatics”.
My love for my own four children as well as every other child I have come to know has been my main motivation to make our children safer. My main goal has always been to teach children the basic swimming skills while having fun with their parents. Learning through play, but at the same time teaching them to respect water and the dangers that it can bring. My way of teaching has always been “parent and child friendly” as I know how precious time is and that our children will all be grown up in a wink of an eye. I love watching the child and parent duo working as a team, learning, exploring, and enjoying themselves in a highly professional, well organised and safe environment.
“You need to be as patient, loving, motivated and caring as a mother if you want to be a good teacher”. Nell White
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Lizel Bellingan
I am an Internationally Qualified Learn to Swim and Baby Swim Instructor through Swimming South Africa and the STA, Swimming Teachers Association.
My two great passions in life are fitness (movement) and children. I studied Sport Science and did my Honours in Child Kinetics. With this background, I believe that I have the perfect combination for what I teach in the pool.
I have a very gentle, loving and kind nature and believe that every child should be treated in such a manner. My aim with every lesson is not necessarily to make Olympic swimmers from every child, but to teach each child what they are capable of and to encourage them to see for themselves that they can push themselves a little bit harder, with every lesson.
And most important of all, to do it in a fun and enjoyable manner.
Outside of the water, I enjoy long distance running and the beach. I am a wife, a mother of two beautiful children and a friend.
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Suzaan Broodryk
Missy Franklin said that a huge part of swimming for her was that she loved it and that it was so much fun. I can totally agree with these words of wisdom as swimming has been a passion of mine since the age of 6. Natalie du Toit was a big role model for me when I was younger. Her big dreams, determination and fighting spirit inspired me to take swimming to the next level.
After 7 years of competitive swimming I did my first training course with Swim South Africa in 2014 and I have been coaching ever since. I believe that learning is the best way to equip yourself and in 2018 I did an International swimming course as well. I believe that swimming is a vital life skill that is important for every child to learn.
Happy faces in the water makes me a happy coach!
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Christine Oosthuizen
The love I have for swimming started from a very young age, but to have been able to step into that love accompanied by the passion I have for children, has been beyond me.
I completed my BA Movement Science & Psychology degree at the North West University, followed by my BSc Honours degree in Child Kinetics at the University of Stellenbosch. In 2018 I did my Learn to Swim course through the STA, Swimming Teachers Association – an international qualification, this is where my teaching journey started. In 2019, I received the wonderous opportunity to serve in a field that is extremely close to my heart, special needs. I regard myself extremely privileged to have been one of 12 who completed the STA Award in Aquatic Teaching – People with Disabilities in South Africa.
It was during my STA training when I realized that a child with special needs will inspire you to be a special kind of person.
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Carmen van Niekerk
Following my passion to work with children, I finished a Human Movement Science Degree at the University of the Free State and a BSc. Honours Degree in Child Kinetics at Stellenbosch University. I completed a Learn to Swim course through Swim South Africa in 2013 and in 2020 a baby swim course through STA, Swimming Teachers Association. I love to work with children in different environments; therefore, assisting them with different visual – motor stimulation needs, as well as teaching children to swim. My main goal when coaching swimming is to make sure the child is having fun. It gives me great pleasure
to see how children improve their swimming skills and love boing in the water. Swimming is lots of fun!
I strive to make a difference in each child’s life and help them reach their full potential.
Outside of work, I enjoy being active and spending time with family and friends.