Eight-year-old Seb Jenkins had loved the water as a toddler – until a frightening incident in a hot tub at the age of four left him petrified.
“He went under the water for maybe three seconds, but it was enough to change everything,” said mum-of-three Stephanie Jenkins, from Thatcham.
“From then on he was terrified. It didn’t matter if it was shallow – he’d be clinging to us, begging not to go in.”
(Image: Stephanie Jenkins)
Seb also has a physical disability, and Stephanie was determined he should have some basic water safety skills.
She came across a post on social media about GR Swimming School, which specialises in helping people with aquaphobia – an intense fear of water.
“It was more than just being scared,” she said.
“Seb had a proper phobia. We needed someone who could approach it differently, because normal lessons just weren’t going to work.”
When Seb started lessons with swimming teacher Joanna Lay, progress was gentle and built on trust.
Jo began with a questionnaire to understand his feelings, then introduced ideas that reframed the water as something to work with rather than fight against.
“She told him, ‘The water can work with you – it’s magic, it can make you float,’” said Stephanie.
“They worked at his pace, just letting him get used to having water near his face, letting him explore. Slowly, he started to believe it.”
The lessons were reinforced by the family, who took Seb to different pools and encouraged him to try new situations.
“I honestly don’t know if he’d ever have gone back in the water without that,” Stephanie said.
“Now he jumps in, goes under, swims short distances. A couple of weeks ago, he was having fun with his friend at the pool.”
She says it’s changed his life beyond safety.
“He went to a swimming party recently and just got in without a second thought. Before, I wouldn’t even have taken him. Now he can go with friends, have fun, join in on holiday – it’s been huge for him socially as well as for safety.”
Stephanie says more parents should know there are options if their child has a real fear of water.
“There are kids who need a different way in. I didn’t know that until we had a child with a phobia. Parents need to know there’s another way – you don’t have to give up.”
Joanna Lay, the specialist swimming instructor who worked with Seb, said: “The specialised skills learnt when I became an Advanced Aquaphobia Coach, coupled with my own teaching style and sense of humour allowed me to connect with Seb so he can have the experiences and fun in the water every child deserves.”
Joanna now works at the Institute of Aquaphobia, an organisation training thousands of swimming teachers nationwide to work with people who are afraid of water.
A spokesperson for The Institute of Aquaphobia said: “Aquaphobia is more common than many people realise and can affect both children and adults. With the right support, it is entirely possible to overcome it.
“Our aim is to make swimming safe and enjoyable for everyone, regardless of their starting point.”