A new nationwide training initiative is equipping thousands of UK swimming coaches with the skills to help people overcome aquaphobia – a hidden barrier that experts say is excluding millions from leisure centres, health clubs, and aquatic facilities.

The Institute of Aquaphobia (IoA), founded by swimming coach Mike Burman, has partnered with Everyone Active to train more than 2,000 swimming instructors in the Aquaphobia Learning Programme (ALP) – a science-based, trauma-informed approach to tackling fear of water.

Aquaphobia affects an estimated 12.8 million people in the UK – nearly one in three adults – yet remains largely unacknowledged by government and under-served by leisure operators. The impact extends far beyond the pool: people with aquaphobia often miss out on social experiences, family holidays, and vital life-saving water skills.

“If this was a virus, it would be treated as a pandemic,” says Burman. “Instead, it’s a silent epidemic. Millions are shut out of leisure, wellness and community opportunities. And the sector is missing out on their membership fees, their café spend, their families’ activities. We can change that.”


A business and wellbeing opportunity

The ALP focuses not on traditional technique-led teaching, but on helping participants feel safe in the water through relaxation, breathwork, and gradual exposure. Only once confidence is established does stroke technique follow.

The programme has already produced life-changing results for participants. One recent client described the ability to swim with her child for the first time as “empowering beyond words”, while another, aged 92, overcame a lifetime fear of putting her face in the water.

Burman says this demonstrates both a moral and a commercial case for investment. “This is a growth market the leisure sector can’t afford to ignore. When you create safe, supportive pathways for aquaphobic adults, you open the doors to millions who’ve previously avoided your facilities.”


National roll-out

The IoA has now trained hundreds of specialist Aquaphobia Coaches, with Everyone Active rolling out the model across its nationwide network of pools. The long-term goal is to ensure every leisure centre has certified provision for people with aquaphobia, normalising access and addressing a public health gap.

“It’s not just about swimming,” says Burman. “It’s about inclusion. It’s about the mum who avoids pool parties, the retiree who’s anxious on holiday, the child whose parents never learned and therefore miss the cycle of teaching their kids. Tackling aquaphobia is about breaking that cycle.”

The Institute is now calling on other leisure operators to explore partnerships, highlighting that aquaphobia provision is a tangible way to grow memberships, boost retention, and demonstrate commitment to inclusivity and wellbeing.

“Every operator is looking for ways to diversify their offer and increase participation,” says Burman. “Aquaphobia provision ticks every box: it serves an untapped population, changes lives, and strengthens the commercial base of our sector.”




Case Study: Christine, 66
Christine avoided water her entire life after childhood warnings and a frightening pool experience as a young adult. Even showers made her tense. At 66, she joined the Aquaphobia Learning Programme with coach Suzanne Verralls. Step by step, she built trust, floated with her face in the water, and eventually learned to swim.
“It’s been life-changing,” Christine says. “Now I can join my family in the pool without fear. I’m even planning my first beach holiday.”


Case Study: Noon’s Journey
As a child in Haiti, Noon was traumatised after being thrown into the sea. For years, she stayed on the sidelines, longing to join in. With the patient support of her husband, Noon learned to swim, eventually turning her fear into a career. She is now an Advanced Aquaphobia Coach, helping others overcome the same barriers.
“I know exactly what my students are going through,” Noon explains. “That’s why I can give them patience and empathy others sometimes can’t.”


Case Study: Seb, 8

Seb Jenkins from West Berkshire loved water as a toddler until a hot tub accident left him terrified. Traditional lessons didn’t help, but with specialist coaching from Jo Lay, Seb slowly rebuilt trust. Today, he swims happily with friends and enjoys pool parties.
His mum Stephanie says: “We thought he’d never go back in, but now he’s confident and safe. It’s been huge socially as well as for his safety.”