Testimonials

A few months before our daughter’s first birthday, we were looking for a nice activity to do together with her in Haarlem and coincidentally we came across the self-rescue course given by Linde. It very soon turned out to be much more than just a bonding and fun activity to do with her. Gradually and very methodically, Linde taught our daughter crucial water survival skills and helped her gain confidence and self-awareness. Eventually, our daughter started enjoying real swimming in the pool and the sea even more than splashing in the bathtub!

Linde is a very experienced and deeply knowledgeable coach. She is caring, calm and patient and gives a lot of love and individual attention to any of her small students. She trains not only babies and children, but also their parents on how to work together with their children to maintain and build on the skills learned. Indeed, when we were swimming in the sea with our daughter last summer, we were very proud that she could do - to the great surprise of many other people at the beach - all these cool stuff in such a young age, without floaters!

We can’t wait to continue this unique learning experience with our daughter, and would definitely recommend the self-rescue course and Linde in particular to any parent! Alexia K Haarlem

Children Of The Water is an amazing way to teach your child in the water. Our son Roef (11 months) loves water and isn’t afraid of taking a shower or washing his hair. Also taking a bath is something he loves! We just completed 10 lessons as part of the holistic pre-self rescue baby swimming and we have planned the self rescue course before summer. Jo is a very caring teacher. She is very professional. You can see that she has a lot of experience and that she loves her job! My husband, Roef and myself learnt a lot. I would really recommend doing the course as soon as possible with your baby. Eva Piers Ibiza

We have a swimming pool in our garden and also a large amount of natural water. Although we built a very long fence in the middle of our lawn, we were always worried about the safety of our children. A couple of years ago we learnt about Children of the Water and their holistic approach in teaching children from crawling age or older how te rescue themselves if they ever had an accident in the water. I contacted dear Zoë and she was willing to come to The Netherlands to help my children to become safe in and around the water in our own pool. When I told Zoe we were going to Ibiza for five days in September 2019 we decided to do the course there and extended our vacation.

We were a little worried about our son Mads, who was really afraid of being in the water (even in the shower) but he really amazed me. Zoë’s approach to both of our children (Mads, almost 4 yrs and Suze, almost 1 yr old) was so calm and loving. She gave us a lot of confidence by sharing information about the self rescue course, about how the children would react in any time and what we could expect from them. Zoë, and also Jojo, made the whole course (10 days long) a very special experience. We would really recommend this course to anyone and hope it will be the only way of learning how to swim in approximately 10 yrs or sooner. Looking forward to going to Ibiza again so the children can be be taught to be even better swimmers!! Judith Eggersman and Natale Adamo

When we saw the video a while ago of our friend swimming with his 1 year old daughter we were so amazed that when our son was born we didn’t have to think twice and decided to do the course at our home in Fuerteventura.

I must say that the process was intense for both our son Jack and for us as parents but every day Zoe was so incredible, calm and loving and we could see Jack's improvements and confidence growing and growing. After only 10 days he was able to swim and float with so much confidence and also FUN! We are forever grateful that Zoe came to us and taught our son this life-saving method. Lizzy mum of 13 month old Jack, Fuerteventura

"I Can honestly say that Jojo and Zoe's training for Rex my five year old, played a huge part in making sure Rex stayed calm and afloat, when we scarily got pulled out on a rip tide in Costa Rica on Boxing Day. The rip tide was so fierce and quick and so scary and we were faced with a very dangerous scenario. Through out the whole experience I watched Rex have to ride very high waves being dragged from me and under water and yet he still remained very calm, strong and afloat.

We were eventually saved by two surf boys on one board and the 6 of us gripped onto the board and we had to surf huge waves, near to the Rocks, and get back to the beach. Even then Rex was stoic and confident.

Thanks to you both, very lovely girls, for doing a very important and special training to our kids. You save lives." Fi Dan frank and 5 year old Rex, Ibiza

"My 17 month old little girl Serena fell in our own pool fully clothed and saved herself. Her twin brother Adrian called for his grandmother who found Serena happily floating in the water. Without this course we would be different people today. We are beyond grateful." Tanit mum of now 2 year old twins Serena and Adrian, Ibiza

"Our 2 year old Moos fell in our freezing pool fully clothed and got himself out!!! You girls have made us the the happiest parents. Thank you." Douwe and Martine van den Berg Holland

Our little daughter has taken part in Children of the Water’s holistic Self Rescue program and continues her swim journey with them. Children of the water offers the opportunity to make a child grow in more areas than expected. Our daughter has a developmental delay and Linde, her swimming coach, has helped or daughter to open up more into this world, where others weren’t able to. We find it unbelievable what Children of the Water can do for a child and Linde in particular! We are very grateful for her work with our daughter. Her approach works wonderfully. Super Thank you! You are fantastic! Chrisoula Kountoura