Techniques Swim and Triathlon Coaching Reviews 33

I went to see Neil for a video analysis. He was able to pin point the areas of my stroke that needed attention and being able to see it being played back to me was really insightful. This has not only meant my shoulders are injury free but I’ve also been able to enter masters swimming competitions and my times are steadily improving. I recommend Neil to everyone, particularly as I’ve got noticeably stronger in the pool!

Neil was recommended to me by a fellow swimmer and I am so glad! I came a long way for the analysis session and follow up afterwards and it was so worth it. He filmed while I swam and then I'd jump out and watch the video playback on poolside and get back in to try out various drills. Within minutes he was able to help me see things about my stroke and position in the water that I hadn't even realised I was doing and that weekly swim classes hadn't been able to pick up on and sort out. I'm now working on timing so I can then sort my catch out. The other really useful thing was that he got me to try pulling in the correct arm shape on land using the rubber band - so helpful to know what it SHOULD feel like!

I’d come across Neil’s videos on instagram and they’d soon become my swim-bible! so I was excited to book onto a 121 session and it didn’t disappoint. I’ve only been swimming around 9 months but it wasn’t seeming to get any easier. Neil was able to break everything down for me, and being able to watch replays of your lengths immediately after is priceless when learning something new! His tips and advice have had instant impact and I can’t wait to revisit in a few months time - thanks Neil!

Finding Neil was a god send… 7 years of going nowhere speed wise and one hour with Neil simplified everything! Can’t wait to see him in a few months …..

I booked a one-hour session with Neil when I was really struggling to swim more than 100 meters without feeling tired and just fighting the water I honestly didn’t expect such a dramatic change in such a short amount of time, but that single session completely transformed my swimming.

Neil immediately identified key issues in my technique and explained everything in a way that was simple, clear, and easy to apply. The adjustments he made to my technique and body position felt so much easier straight away and made a huge difference to my efficiency in the water.

Just two weeks after that one session, I completed the 70.3 distance what I’m training towards 2000 meters — something that would have felt impossible before. The improvement in my swimming style and confidence has been incredible, especially considering how little time it took to see results.

If you’re struggling with your swimming or feel stuck at a certain level, I can’t recommend Neil highly enough. The impact he made in just one hour was massive.

I travelled across from the Wirral to see Neil and it was definitely worth the visit. Neil, was extremely friendly and gave me some instant tips to go and work on. I will be going back in a few months to show him what I have been working on. If you are considering lessons, Neil’s the person to go and see.

​Neil was exactly the coach I needed. Being an adult and new to swimming, I was naturally a bit apprehensive, but Neil’s approach immediately put me at ease. He has a remarkable ability to break down movements into manageable steps, focusing on the fundamentals of technique and confidence rather than just repetition.

My 12yr old daughter and I travelled from Ireland to see Neil in December. I had been following him for a while on Instagram and felt we could both really benefit from Neil's guidance and knowledge.
My daughter was having shoulder issues after upping her weekly hours, and it was likely down to poor stroke technique.
I have another 70.3 Ironman this year and wanted to improve my time, and not just by "trying harder".
So, double session booked, we headed over to Neil for two hours in the pool. Within five minutes I knew the trip had been worth it.
Neil had us both in the water at the same time rather than one hour each which worked really well.
He has a way of explaining what needs to change in very simple terms. Not just to me, but to a 12 yr old who doesn't normally like being told what she's doing wrong!!
The poolside video replay was great as you can see exactly what you're doing, what needs to change and work on correcting it there and then. It's amazing the difference between what you think you're doing and seeing video evidence of what you're actually doing!
Communication was excellent throughout - from booking, advising on hotels nearby, etc right through to follow up analysis over zoom.
No hesitation in recommending Neil to anyone looking to improve technique, work on a particular stroke, gain confidence, etc. He is clearly passionate about what he does, has a genuine interest in those he's working with and has an eagle eye to spot & correct any issues.
My daughter's shoulder issues are much improved and my time is finally sub 2min/100, so mission accomplished!

I started swim coaching with Neil in April 2023. At the time I had been running for a number of years and had just recently got into cycling and Zwift. I really wanted to get into triathlon but I couldn’t front crawl. Lots of people recommend Neil to me so I was delighted to get a space on his Friday night sessions! I couldn’t swim a length of front crawl, however, with Neil’s help and working his magic things quickly progressed!

I also started with Neil’s triathlon coaching in summer 2023. Fast forward a couple of years and I have now completed 2x Ironman including the Ironman World Champs in Kona this year which was a non-wetsuit sea swim! I honestly would not have been able to do any of this without Neil. Neil also organises group rides for his athletes, setting up the Zwift racers and we also did some poolside transition practice!

Neil is a fantastic coach both for swimming and triathlon. He is a coach that genuinely cares about his athletes but he is also very straight up which I definitely needed!

Thanks for everything Neil! You have changed my life and have me the opportunity to experience things I never would have if it wasn’t for you! I couldn’t recommend Neil enough to anyone!

I recently had a swim video analysis 1-2-1, throughout the session it was really hands on, being able to get direct feedback on some of the issues with my technique, see them through the video captured and then working directly on solving them. I came away, worked on the advice provided and improved my recent outwater swim by 2 minutes!

Really enjoyed my first lesson with Neil.
After feeling stuck for a couple of years and not making progress with other swimming coaches I came across Neil on instagram.
Looking through the feeds it was clear that Neil is passionate about swimming. I was particularly impressed with how he concentrates on technique
I booked a video session which really helped me to understand where I was going wrong and why I had got stuck.
After one lesson I can already see some improvements and am confident that with Neil's tuition I will achieve my swimming goals.

I can’t thank Neil enough for what he’s done for me. I started to accept that I was just a ‘poor to non swimmer’ (I’ve got the videos to prove it). My wife got me some lessons and I was literally swimming lengths in 6 sessions.
Neil’s manner is so calming and instills confidence effortlessly.
Not exaggerating, I feel it’s given me a new lease of life. I’m training for a speed triathlon next year now!
Can’t thank you enough, mate!

I cannot recommend Neil highly enough! As someone who had a fear of water, I was anxious about starting swimming lessons. However, Neil’s unique approach made all the difference. Each lesson is tailored specifically to your needs, focusing on comfort and progress rather than a rigid schedule. His lessons will be different from anything you may have done before .This personalised structure allows you to feel safe and supported.
I have had other lessons as an adult , completed them successfully & been told I could swim . But it never really gave me the confidence I needed to swim on my own. Anything I learnt was soon forgotten or overcome by the fear I still had of water. Thanks to Neil I do swim on my own now .
What started as desire to be more comfortable in the pool on holidays has progressed way beyond that. I have no intention of stopping the lessons for the foreseeable future as my goals for swimming are considerably greater than when I first started.
What truly sets Neil apart is not just his positivity, (he does have a way about him )understanding and detailed technique knowledge. He demonstrates immense patience and skill in working with all abilities, he coaches not just instructs . He will encourage without pushing you beyond what you are ready for. That’s not to say he is aiming for anything less than teaching you to swim effectively & efficiently.
Know that he will get in the water and swim right by your side with a float in hand should you need that reassurance.
If you have a fear of water , but want to learn to swim , then Neil’s lessons are your absolute best chance of overcoming that fear and learning to swim.
His compassionate and customised approach makes the task of learning to swim feel achievable and even enjoyable.
The swimming aside he’s good company for the lesson , he’s an all round top bloke ! you may even have the odd humorous moment but mainly swimming 😂
I haven’t wrote this review for Neil, though he certainly deserves every drop of praise . I wrote it for those who may be in a similar position as I was a number of months ago
Good luck
Terry

I first contacted Techniques Swim School following a disastrous swim in my first triathlon. Within half an hour of my first swim assessment (where I was asked to swim up and down whilst my technique was filmed both above and under water), Neil made recommendations to my stroke and form and I swam 100m much easier than I had done before (I could barely swim 50m crawl without getting out of breath). And I couldn’t believe it! I had previously paid a lot of money for a 12 week swimming course elsewhere and after the 12 weeks I could barely swim 50m. Following this one assessment I swam the following day practicing the way Neil had shown and I swam 175 m and was not nearly as tired as I used to be at 50m.

As you can imagine I am over the moon with the results after my first session and will be booking in for follow up sessions and a training plan ready for my next event.

I highly recommend Neil’s services for anyone new to swimming or would like to train for a triathlon/swimming event you will not be disappointed. I still can’t believe how much I improved following my first session 😊.

If you are looking to learn to swim or gain water confidence Neil is your man. He’s exceptionally patient - I know this because I’ve tried my best to test it in lessons. Before starting lessons with Neil I had no water confidence at all. Now I even manage to go to Aqua fit every week and get in the pool on holiday. Something I didn’t think would ever happen. He’s knows his stuff. Even if he constantly shouts “keep away from the wall” at me. I will definitely be going be back for improver sessions.

I’ve been meaning to write this review for some time, it’s about time I did so.

I started learning to swim properly as an adult so I could compete in a triathlon I’d signed up for. I hated swimming and I simply wanted to complete the swim and get it over and done with.

From the first video analysis I had with Neil I changed from tolerating the experience of swimming to enjoying the process of getting better. His knowledge and enthusiasm for what he does is reassuring and what seemed impossible in those first few months of trying suddenly became much more manageable.

I have had video analysis, swam in is technique classes and now in his fitness lane and am always struck by Neil’s willingness to go above and beyond to help you achieve your goals.

From not being able to do more than 1 length of front crawl to completing an Ironman distance swim in 1hr12 within 2 years would never have happened without Neil’s help.

I can’t recommend him highly enough!

Training with Neil was my second attempt at learning to swim as an adult. I could just about keep afloat but couldn't put my head under water. I could manage front crawl until I had to take a breath, then I'd have to stop! As an ok runner and cyclists, my long term goal was to be able to swim well enough to enter an Iron Man.
Having quit my first attempt at swimming lessons due to frustration at my lack of progress, I decided I was going to do exactly what Neil told me to do for 10 lessons and then either carry on or quit.
After a couple of lessons, I was convinced that I wouldn't be able to do it but Neil was patient and the rest of the small group was really supportive. Each week, I had a new small breakthrough: taking a breath and carrying on, swimming a length, swimming 2 lengths,.... swimming a mile (slowly). After a few months, I started to class myself as a swimmer and began to enjoy the lessons with Neil and my trips to the pool between lessons.
Having kept it up for a while, swimming is now an important part of my life. I can swim in a pool either to relax or have a workout and am confident enough to swim in open water. I recently swam 2 miles in Lake Windermere and wished I could have carried on longer. Having trained with Neil, I now feel part of a new, supportive community.
Sessions with Neil are tough but if he can get me swimming he can get anyone swimming. I can't recommend him highly enough.

Not wanting to be a non-Ironman in our household after Mrs.M entered Bolton in 2019, I entered as well. For those of you who know me this was quite a step in light of numerous calamitous triathlon swim meltdowns both in the pool and particularly in openwater. Anyway, away we go with the lessons. Lots of work on stroke technique much to Neil's amusement at times. But despite improving in the lessons and in the pool in general my achilles heel was still openwater. This is where Neil really came into his own, the lessons might end getting out of the pool, but his care for you doesn't. He took time outside of the lessons to help, and above all instill self-belief in my swimming.

To cut a long story short, in July 2019 I climbed my Everest at Bolton IM. The swim went like a dream.

A great teacher and coach.

When I first started with Techniques, I could barely swim 25m without being totally spent! After a video session and a couple of follow up sessions, I can now swim over a mile continously with good technique. Neil, not only gives you good technique though, he motivates you and boosts confidence. The best swim school around!

I went to Techniques Swim School as an adult non swimmer, afraid of the water but with a desire to learn to swim. I'd had a few false starts with friends trying to teach me and watching YouTube. I had almost given up and this was going to be my last chance. I had to overcome a fear of water, embarrassment, a lack of co-ordination and general panic! Neil breaks everything down and gets you focus on individual components of the swim stroke, such as breathing, arm stroke, leg kick. He gets you to build up one element at a time and also increase your general swimming fitness. Kit such as a pull bouy, snorkel, fins are used to aid your focus on technique. These are the things you just don't do if you try to learn on your own! Neil isn't a miracle worker, you have to put the work in and listen. He encourages you and is extremely positive especially when you struggle with your own motivation during the difficult times! It took me a number of months to learn to swim and I know I would not have achieved this without Technique Swim School.