My Story
Hello, my name is Val Moore.
Welcome to Toe In Swim
Toe In Open Water Swimming Skills was born from the desire to make open water swimming a safe and accessible choice for everybody.
I had the idea of setting an open water coaching business during those thoughtful times of Covid. Swimming and in particular swimming in open water was the first activity to be permitted again. I just couldn’t wait and it got me thinking that I wanted to share my love of open water swimming with other people.
As soon as I was able to, I put my plan into action, completing an STA open water swimming coaching qualification and undertook RLSS lifeguarding training for pool and open water. You can see my teaching and lifeguarding qualifications here
Toe In Swim really took off in June 2021 when I started coaching for Cambridge Sports Lake Partnership, running regular open water coaching courses at their fantastic open water swimming venue, Todd Pits, in Milton Country Park.
I spoke about my experiences of open water swimming and how I came to coaching with Danni, senior active lifestyle officer at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Healthy You team in their weekly podcast.
My sporting background
I excelled in several sports as a young person and gained international representation in two of those sports. Swimming was not one of them!
My early sporting career was as a student international hockey player, and then a rugby player for England/ GB. I maintained my interest in women’s rugby when I finished playing by managing the World Championship winning rugby team of 1994.
Whilst competing at this level, I experienced the disciplines and delights of teamwork and winning. I discovered how much I could achieve by putting in the hours of training, showing up and keeping going when the going gets tough. I worked hard with my coaches and experienced how impactful good coaching is to motivation and performance.
It’s shown me that the best coaches are those that listen and observe and are continually looking for the best way to enhance an individual player’s skills in a positive empathetic environment.
Take a look at how I approach coaching my swimmers.
Why I took up swimming
After I retired from playing and work life had progressed, from first as a PE and science teacher to a NHS leader and in public health roles, I started to look around for a sport that was easier on the body.
I admired swimmers but was not very experienced. So I decided to throw myself in the deep end and gamely joined a sea swimming holiday in the Mediterranean. The swims covered miles each day, where three months prior I had been unable to swim non-stop.
So I know what it’s like to build up from nothing, to feel stuck but to persevere. And I know it’s possible to achieve what feels impossible by putting in the hard work and getting the best coaching you can.
I too have struggled with getting my breathing right, becoming more efficient and getting stronger. I still focus in the pool on small adjustments, to improve and feel great in the water.
Above all, it’s the open water and occasional distance challenge or event that has drawn me in and kept me motivated to continue this journey of exploration, achievement and social interest.
Swimmers are fascinating and fun to be with, all have their story and ambitions to tell. No two swimmers are the same and no two swims, if you just keep putting your toe In!
Looking for open water swim coaching?
Want to gain confidence swimming in cold water in a friendly and sociable coaching session?
Training for an open water swim event?
Take a look at how I can help
