You know when swimming instructor Maureen Parfett is taking a swimming lesson at Belfairs Pool.

The minute you walk through the Leigh swimming centre's front doors you can hear her booming voice. No mean feat when you consider the teaching pool is tucked around the corner, at the opposite end of the building!

Maureen is an expert, not only at teaching swimming but also making herself heard.

There's a technique to her shouting. "I've learnt to project from the diaphragm," she says, "rather than the larynx. I would have ruined my vocal cords by now otherwise."

Making her voice carry is a vital tool on two counts in Maureen's undoubted ability to teach youngsters.

First and foremost she has to be heard above the hubbub of a busy swimming pool. But secondly this is an important ploy to make the more disruptive pupils toe the line.

"Ideally a class should be a mixture of quiet, well behaved children and right little so-and-sos. You need the quieter ones to provide a good example by getting on with the lesson. But those full of mischief are vital. They'll have a go at something the quieter children are worried about trying."

Importantly, the noise levels attained by Maureen are balanced by her incredible compassion and patience.

"With swimming children have to be left to get on with it at their own speed. One of my youngsters sat on the steps and refused to get fully into the pool for four whole weeks. Today she swims like a fish."

Maureen takes a pride in pupils' achievements in later life. One represented Britain in the triathlon and won a silver medal. And her own daughter, a canoe lifeguard, is competing in the national Kayak Championships.

Her pride in her pupils' achievements - she knows all the youngsters attending her 20 classes by name - is reflected by the number who have successfully "gone through the system" as she puts it. Belfairs lifeguard Danielle Durrance learnt to swim thanks to Maureen. The next step is to turn the individuals into teachers - there's presently a severe lack of qualified pool staff.

"You see children in your lessons and think, hmm...they'll make a good swimming instructor one day," says Maureen. "The right temperament is more important than simply being a good swimmer."

Something that isn't lost on Maureen in her dual role as a qualified lifeguard trainer at both Belfairs and Southend's Warriors pools.

"Lifeguarding has a lot to do with how to handle the public. You'll often get someone really cocky on the course. They're great swimmers but totally flummoxed by lifeguarding."

As well as lifeguarding, her depth of experience has proven invaluable for the council. She has certificates in teaching diving, swimming, lifeguarding, life saving and teaching synchronised swimming. Maureen first took the plunge as a six year old. Her London school was one of the few to take pupils swimming. "I was immediately bitten by the bug and would do anything to get down the pool. I remember my teacher, Mrs Lyons, she had a voice just like mine!"

Call 01702 293558 for details on how to become a swimming instructor.

Everyone's welcome - that's the message from Maureen

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

Splashing out on holiday water fun

Splashing fun is promised at swimming pools across south east Essex this summer...

Swim centres are awash with special events - and you don't even have to be able to swim to join in the fun!

Choose from aqua-aerobics, inflatables, family fun days, adult only sessions, slides and flumes, crash courses for novice swimmers, snorkeling and sub aqua, synchronised swimming, winning swimming badges or training to be a life guard as well as lessons for all ages and capabilities.

Kiddies favourites inflatables are springing up at most pools. You bounce along to Belfairs Pool from 1pm and 2pm Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays to enjoy inflatables in the Leigh centre's main pool.

You can bring your own inflatables to Pitsea Swimming Pool between 1.30pm and 4pm on Tuesdays. Inflatables are also welcome between 1.30pm and 3.30pm Mondays and 1pm to 4pm Tuesdays and Thursdays at Wickford Swimming Pool.

Shoeburyness features inflatables in their main pool from 11am to noon and 2pm to 3pm every day.

Canvey's Waterside Farm Centre features junior fun swims on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with large inflatables, rafts and the aqua glide.

Finally, Clements Hall Leisure Centre has an inflatable sea monster, rafts and music from 10.30am to noon in the teaching pool Mondays to Wednesdays and also on Fridays.

Alternatively you can enjoy adult only sessions at most pools...

Belfairs is youngsterless from 8.30pm Mondays and Wednesdays and from 9.30pm Thursdays and Fridays.

You're guaranteed kid free sessions from noon to 1pm weekdays at Basildon's Gloucester Park, Pitsea and Wickford pools.

Shoeburyness goes adult only between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. Warriors, Southend, follows suit from noon to 2pm Monday to Thursday and from 1pm to 6pm Fridays.

Clements Hall restricts its adult sessions to Wednesdays and Fridays from 8pm.

Belfairs offers crash courses in swimming - 10 lessons spread over two weeks - for £25, Splash Dance and Aquafit plus a badge day when youngsters can come and earn badges for swimming 25 metres, 100 metres and a mile.

Shoeburyness features a special activity each week from 9pm to 10am. From August 2 to 6 it's rookie lifeguarding, from August 16 to 20 it's canoeing and from August 24 to 27 it's snorkeling and sub-aqua.

A Family Fun Swim Day is planned for Waterside Farm on Saturday August 21.

Runnymede Pool, Thundersley, dives in for a big fun swim on Wednesdays at 10am.

Clements Hall presents aqua aerobics in its teaching and main pool from 8pm to 9pm Mondays, deep water aqua aerobics features from 9pm to 10pm the same night.

Westleigh Junior School pool in Leigh is open for week-long lessons in synchronised swimming from August 9, rookie lifeguarding from August 16, snorkeling from August 23 and adult lessons from August 30.

They also offer one-and-a-half hour birthday parties including a qualified swimmer for £55.

Billericay Pool is sticking to its usual programme with the addition of floats, rafts and toys from 10.30am to 11.30am and 2pm to 3pm Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.

All pools are offering a wide range of swimming lessons plus ladies only sessions and crash courses.

So, don't just sit there treading water - for the coolest summer holiday activities about go with the flow and give your local pool a ring.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.