An inspirational swimming teacher from Kingston, who has transformed the confidence of countless young swimmers, has been honoured with a prestigious national award recognising his exceptional impact on babies and children in the water.

Andy Dormer has spent the past nine years teaching with Puddle Ducks South West London and has now been named a Puddle Ducks National Star Teacher for 2025, standing out among nominations from across the UK.

The National Star Teacher Award celebrates teachers who demonstrate exceptional technique, inspire confidence in young swimmers, and receive heartfelt praise from the families they teach.

Dormer, who has previously won his local Star Teacher award five times, was nominated by Louis, whose daughter swims with Dormer in the Dippers class at Strathmore at Grey Court School. 

Speaking about the nomination, Louis said: "Andy has been teaching our daughter to swim since she was just 10 months old, and now, at nearly four, the progress she has made is incredible. 

"When she first started, she was very trepidatious in the water and nervous around others, but Andy's patient, calm and gentle approach completely transformed her confidence".

He added: "Thanks to his dedication, our daughter now swims independently and absolutely loves the water. 

"We feel so lucky to have found Andy - he truly goes above and beyond and has made swimming one of our daughter's favourite activities."

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The winning nomination was selected by John Challinor, CEO of NationMedia, publishers of SwimNation. 

Challinor said: "This is obviously a teacher who is able to build and maintain a rapport with the children - and the parents - that they are working with over a long period of time. 

"By being able to identify and focus on areas that help children improve - and to involve parents in supporting their child's progress - means that the activity becomes not just a learning process, but one where a family is able to spend quality time together in a shared experience that they all enjoy.

"To gently encourage children to push themselves a little further each week, whilst maintaining a calm and reassuring presence, is surely at the heart of good swimming teaching. I just wish I'd had access to Puddle Ducks when I was young."

Speaking of the win, Dormer added: "It's incredibly satisfying being able to share and guide a child's progress from first encounters with swimming, be it shortly after birth or as a feisty toddler, on to confident and capable swimmers. 

"The recognition reflected by this award comes directly from the families involved and I'm proud to be part of their swim journey".

Puddle Ducks South West London teaches children from birth to 10 years across pools in the local area, helping thousands of little ones learn essential life skills while developing a lifelong love of the water.

 You can learn more about Puddle Ducks South West London by calling 0208 546 8470 or clicking here.