Aqualight Staff
Aqualight was the first baby swim school in Northampton founded in 2002 by Emmaline Kitson BSc, International Tutor and speaker on baby swimming. Since then it has gone from strength to strength. Our instructors teach all ages from birth right up to teens in various locations across Northamptonshire.
Emie Kitson
Having always loved the water, I swam early and was teaching little ones to swim whilst working as an au pair in France in the late 90s. My focus now is on facilitating the parent and baby bond and growing their mutual trust, I also love working with babies and helping them and their parent understand how their little bodies move in the water. Read more…
Baby Swimming
Toddlers
Pre School
Junior Swimmimg
Baby Yoga
WATSU
Nicola Smith
Nicola, mum to Ella & Lucas, has been involved in swimming since the age of 13 with Northampton Swimming Club. “Swimming is still a big part of my life and my children are both little water lovers too. I have swum with Aqualight since Ella was very little and I was always amazed at what she could do in the water at such a young age”. Nicola has worked in the leisure industry for over 15 years and is now putting her skills and experiences to good use in helping Aqualight to develop.
Aqualight Squad
Administration and Bookings
Louise Gleeson
I am a mum of two, Emily and Aaron, and have had a passion for swimming since I was a young child. I took both of my children to lessons at Aqualight from a few months old. Having enjoyed how water confident my children became; I was very happy when an opportunity arose for me to train and teach others. I have now been teaching for Aqualight since 2009 and hold STA Level 3 Diploma in Baby and Pre–School Aquatic Teaching, STA level 2 Award and Certificate in teaching swimming, STA Level 2 People with Disabilities and IOS Assistant coach. I have also taken the advanced CPD in coaching and teaching Aquaphobics.
Baby Swimming
Toddlers
Junior Swimmimg
Pre School
Aqualight Squad
Ali Oliver-Harris
My passion for the water has come from my grandfather. He used to teach me from the side of the pool and when I am in the water I feel close to him and my fond memories come back. I have always loved the water from a very young age. I used to swim for Northampton swim club and later in life sold the products for Speedo. I like to share my love for the water which is why I teach.
Qualifications: STA Poolside Helper, STA Baby and Pre-School, STCB Swim Teacher – Birthlight Infant Aquatics, ASA Swimming Teacher Level 1 & 2, MermaidsUK Instructor.
Baby Swimming
Toddlers
Junior Swimmimg
Kirsty Lissimore;
I’m a mum of 3 my youngest swims with Aqualight and absolutely loves it. I was lucky enough to go to a primary/ middle school which had a pool which is where my love of swimming began. I’ve been a Baby Preschool swim teacher for 6 years now and this is my 2nd year teaching older ones
Baby Swimming
Toddlers
Pre School
Susan Horner
I have always been passionate about the water from a very young age. My mother was a swimming teacher and taught me and my sisters to swim. From then on you couldn’t get me out of the water and I luckily I was able to swim and compete for my home town in Cumbria. Since moving to Northampton I realised there was only one thing I wanted to do which was to follow in my Mother’s footsteps and teach swimming. So now I wake up every morning to a job I truly love. It’s amazing!
Qualifications: ASA Swimming Teacher Level 1 & 2, ASA Swimming Coach Level 1, STA Baby and Preschool, STA Open Water Coach, MermaidsUK Instructor.
Baby Swimming
Toddlers
Pre School
Emma Dowling
As a child I have always loved the water and used to swim with Northampton Swimming Club. I didn’t realise until I became a mum how much I appreciated swimming, not only a life skill but an amazing bonding experience between me and my children. I love seeing their smiley faces and their confidence building in the water. Now I get to teach and see the amazing journeys other families have and I wouldn’t change any of it.
Baby Swimming
Toddlers
Junior Swimmimg
Pre School
Sarah Noble-Kendrick
Mum to James 14, and Hattie 11, both Aqualight Babies!! Hattie continues to train and compete with the Aqualight Squad and Wellingborough Swimming Club. I have been a competitive swimmer since I was 7 years old and continue to be so, regularly competing in Masters competitions. My professional background is in Social work specialising in therapeutic Interventions for children and families. Much of my career has focused on working to enhance positive attachments between children and parents and there is no better place to do this than in the water! Having left Social work two years ago I became a Baby and Pre-school swimming teacher gaining the STA Level 2 Baby and Pre-school teaching Award. In addition I support Aqualight and other swim schools with adopting an attachment focus to their programs and providing CPD’s for staff on Attachment as well as teaching baby and pre-school classes. I also work for a Private Psychotherapy Service.
Baby Swimming
Toddlers
Pre School
Mick Parker
My parents taught me to swim at an early age, and at age 10 I joined my local swimming club in Nottingham. I competed for the county in swimming and lifesaving, and also played water polo for local clubs. I have worked as a lifeguard and taught swimming and lifesaving. I still swim competitively for Northampton Masters and enjoy Open Water swimming.
In 2019 I took early retirement from a career in Project Management and decided to resume swimming teaching. I love teaching children to swim, making learning fun whilst providing them with the life-skills to keep safe around water and enjoy the whole range of water sports. I have been teaching with Aqualight since 2019.
Qualifications: ASA Swimming Teacher Level 1 & 2
Junior Swimmimg
Aqualight Squad
Private Lessons
Claire Reed
I am a mum of 7 awesome mostly grown up children and grandmother to 8 amazing little ones! All of them adore being in the water. I came to swimming late in life after being brought up by two parents with a fear of water. I took some swimming lessons to prepare myself for a charity triathlon and loved it so much I then trained and competed regularly with Northants Tri club. Coming first in my age group at Bedford mini triathlon in 2009 was a proud moment. I have had a long and happy career teaching children and I am so happy to transfer those skills into the water and watch children develop skills and a love and passion for moving through the water. I believe children learn best through play and when leading their own learning. I try to ensure my classes are always fun and child led. I teach all age groups from tiny babies to squad.
Qualifications: EYTS; STA parent and baby award; STA swim teacher award; STA swim teacher certificate; STA pool lifeguard award; Safety Award for Teachers ;Paediatric first Aid Award
Pre School
Junior Swimmimg
Matt Hanlon
I have always had a passion for sport and fitness and loved the water from an early age. I became a lifeguard at 18 and have worked in the leisure industry ever since! Having worked closely with the swimming teachers as a lifeguard it inspired me to pursue a career in swimming teaching myself! I’m also a sports coach and love seeing kids having fun in sport and learning skills that will help them throughout their life!
Junior Swimmimg
Private Lessons
Liam Goldring
Junior swimming & squad on this line he’s also a lifeguard. After watching the classes as a lifeguard I was keen to get teaching and have loved it ever since.
Junior Swimmimg
Private Lessons
Megan Hardy
Growing up in sunny South Africa – and swimming competitively into my teens- the water has always been an enormous part of my life. In my early 20s I undertook a swim teacher’s course alongside my university studies in education and have been involved in teaching – both in the classroom and in the pool – ever since!
I moved to the UK in late 2018 and eventually to Northamptonshire in 2021 where I was delighted to meet Emie and join the team at Aqualight. What I love most is Aqualight’s child centred approach and seeing the children’s confidence flourish as they learn new skills and achieve their goals.
Qualifications: STA Level 2; Swim South Africa (LTS and Level 3 Coaching)
Junior Swimmimg
Toddlers
