Beth Davis

Swimming Instructor – Competitive Swimmers – Adults Learning to Swim – Triathletes – Young Competitive Swimmers – Getting Children Started

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      • Stroke Development for Children
      • Overcoming Fear of Water for Children
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      • Stroke Development for Adults
      • Overcoming Fear of Water for Adults
      • Shoney’s Story
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      • Using Film to Enhance Your Stroke
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    • Louisville available only for children
    • Outdoor: Boulder Elks Pool and Patio
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Overcoming Fear of Water for Adults

overcoming-fear
I can still recall my very first student back in 1992, who taught me about the power of trauma and how it lodges itself in the body. In her case, the trauma was a result of a car accident in which she used her hands to brace from the impact. Every time she was prone with her hands out, she would excessively brace her hands and forearms when she felt afraid.

Instinctively, I found my way around the tension and, over time, was able to tease it out of her nervous system. From working with countless adults who have had horrible experiences around water, including near death, I have learned how to release the tension without triggering someone.  I do this by taking the time to closely read a person’s facial expressions and body language, as well as provide an energetic container of safety and compassion. My capacity to authentically meet people where they are is invaluable in these situations because of my own history with trauma.

Over the years, I have done significant research to expand my understanding of the effects of trauma. The number of adults who don’t know how to swim is staggering. An estimated 37% of U.S. adults can’t swim 25 yards, the length of a typical recreational center pool (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).  In my opinion, someone who can swim only one length of the pool does not qualify as a swimmer. Case in point: according to the CDC, “swimmers” comprise more than 70% of drowning deaths in the U.S. each year. I define a swimmer as someone who is comfortable swimming for 500 yards – without breaks.

 

My fear of water is almost obliterated. I was snorkeling yesterday and my body was relaxed and my breathing very controlled. THANK  YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.  On the way back to shore, about 12 dolphins started to play in the wake of the boat and you could almost touch them. It was such an amazing water experience.

You have given me such a gift. I used to “fear” each birthday as I get older. I only now want to get stronger, faster, and look forward to new experiences.

— CG

swim_as_adult-bluerWhen I was about five years old, I fell out of a boat in the middle of Broadmoor Lake near Colorado Springs. Since then I have had a continuing fear of water. Beth Davis has helped me to ease that fear, to begin to trust myself in the water. How has she accomplished this turnaround?

First of all, through amazing patience and understanding. Beth has never given up on me! She has zillions of exercises for me to try in the water; if one is too hard, she comes up with another that’s easier. I have taken swimming lessons from Beth off and on for seven years. I can actually swim freestyle now, do an elementary backstroke, and a beginning breaststroke. More important, I feel comfortable in a swimming pool. I still have a ways to go, but I started at zero, not wanting to even step in the water, much less get my face wet!

Beth is a topnotch swimming instructor. She is knowledgeable, dedicated, and kind.

— Jane Carlson, age 72

 

Life Altering Experiences …

Stories from Courageous Adults Learning to Swim

My inspiration for asking my adult students to write about their swimming experiences came from reading an article in the Wall Street Journal. The journalist had interviewed me for the piece on adults … [Read More...]

ROKA Sports Partnership

roka-logo2SwimBoulder, Inc. has partnered with ROKA  to bring all of you the best quality swim gear at a discounted price. Contact me to learn more about this benefit.

What Beth's Clients Are Saying

Beth Davis is an amazing coach. She worked with me to create a plan that pushed my limits while supporting and fitting it into my everyday life. She believed in me when I had no idea of my strengths and limitations. Best of all, she consistently pushed me to look within. I highly recommend Beth for her personalized approach, her consistent support, and her superior knowledge as a coach and athlete.

— Erin Blakemore
Beth Davis
2023-09-26T23:03:42+00:00
Beth Davis is an amazing coach. She worked with me to create a plan that pushed my limits while supporting and fitting it into my everyday life. She believed in me when I had no idea of my strengths and limitations. Best of all, she consistently pushed me to look within. I highly recommend Beth for her personalized approach, her consistent support, and her superior knowledge as a coach and athlete. — Erin Blakemore
https://swimboulder.com/testimonials/beth-davis-is-an-amazing-coach
I came to Beth when I was 11 years old. At that point I liked swimming, but had had little success in competition. One year later I qualified for summer league finals for the first time. In high school, I qualified for State and earned a spot on an All-American relay. Through Beth’s help, I was recruited by Division III schools and ended up swimming for Claremont McKenna College, where I had success in numerous conference finals. Without her help, I would not be the swimmer or person I am today.

— Nathan Lenssen
Beth Davis
2023-09-26T23:05:17+00:00
I came to Beth when I was 11 years old. At that point I liked swimming, but had had little success in competition. One year later I qualified for summer league finals for the first time. In high school, I qualified for State and earned a spot on an All-American relay. Through Beth’s help, I was recruited by Division III schools and ended up swimming for Claremont McKenna College, where I had success in numerous conference finals. Without her help, I would not be the swimmer or person I am today. — Nathan Lenssen
https://swimboulder.com/testimonials/when-i-was-11-years-old
When I started working with Beth I was the typical 9-year-old who didn't want to focus on anything for more than 10 seconds. I went from only being a breaststroker (and a slow one at that) to a well-rounded swimmer, getting relay spots in freestyle and excelling at butterfly, posting State times in all three strokes in my time at Fairview High School. Beth was very positive about my personal development as well and helped give me confidence that was hard to find elsewhere.

— Michael Lenssen
Beth Davis
2023-09-26T23:05:45+00:00
When I started working with Beth I was the typical 9-year-old who didn't want to focus on anything for more than 10 seconds. I went from only being a breaststroker (and a slow one at that) to a well-rounded swimmer, getting relay spots in freestyle and excelling at butterfly, posting State times in all three strokes in my time at Fairview High School. Beth was very positive about my personal development as well and helped give me confidence that was hard to find elsewhere. — Michael Lenssen
https://swimboulder.com/testimonials/didnt-want-to-focus
When I was 5 years old, I fell out of a boat in the middle of Broadmoor Lake. Since then I have had a continuing fear of water. Beth Davis has helped me ease that fear, to begin to trust myself in the water, through amazing patience and understanding. She has zillions of exercises for me to try in the water; if one is too hard, she comes up with another that's easier.

Beth is a topnotch swimming instructor. She is knowledgeable, dedicated, and kind.

— Jane Carlson, age 72
Beth Davis
2023-09-26T23:06:15+00:00
When I was 5 years old, I fell out of a boat in the middle of Broadmoor Lake. Since then I have had a continuing fear of water. Beth Davis has helped me ease that fear, to begin to trust myself in the water, through amazing patience and understanding. She has zillions of exercises for me to try in the water; if one is too hard, she comes up with another that's easier. Beth is a topnotch swimming instructor. She is knowledgeable, dedicated, and kind. — Jane Carlson, age 72
https://swimboulder.com/testimonials/fell-out-of-a-boat
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Beth Davis

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Contact Beth Davis • 303.554.8857 • [email protected]