Our coaches
All Nautilus instructors hold internationally recognised swimming instructor qualifications, but we think that you might like to know a bit more about them than that. So here, in their own words, is who they are and why they love swimming and instructing.
As one of our instructors likes to quote "Swimming is not just about learning technique, it's about building a relationship with the water".
Marcelo Siqueira Silva
Ruta Grumovskyte
Maciej Mitura
Konstantin Karapandze
Milan Kantor
Athina Konstantinidou
Paulina Matus
Margarita Damova
Bogdan Rogulin
Niloofar Roozbehani
Kyle Owen Smith
Michele Giacuz
Emre Sengul
Annamaria Veres
Nikola Akrabov
Madhi Faraji
Bedirhan Yildiz
Fernando Cuevas
Robin Conway
Michal Leks
Massimo Catucci
John Hull
Luis Gallo Mudarra
Francesco Coppeta
Anderson da Rosa
Laurence Leonard
Anastasia Mihailova
Gradimir Angelov
Aleksandra Jaminska
Hillary Ann Nevyjel
Jeanine Meehan
Gleb Shataylo
Hakan Sofuoğlu
Pawel Lichtop
Gianluca Dettori
Marcelo Siqueira Silva
I’m originally from Bahia, a stunning coastal state in Brazil known for its vibrant culture and breathtaking beaches along the country’s longest coastline. Growing up in such a lively, water-rich environment, water sports naturally became a central part of my life and inspiration.
My swimming journey began in 2004 during my Sports Science degree, supported by hands-on experience as a lifeguard at Wet’n Wild Water Park in Brazil. That role not only sharpened my water safety skills but also sparked a lasting passion for teaching swimming. After relocating to the UK, I spent over a decade teaching in various schools across London, helping children of all ages build confidence and skills in the water.
More recently, I returned to London after six years of traveling and living in different countries. These global experiences have greatly enriched my teaching methods and deepened my ability to connect with students from diverse backgrounds and learning styles.
Now, I’m excited to resume my work as a swimming instructor. My mission is to inspire each student to reach their full potential in the sport while nurturing a lifelong love for swimming.
Ruta Grumovskyte
My coaching journey has taken me from Lithuania to London, working across schools, gyms, and private homes, and even to Dubai, where I had the incredible opportunity to spend four years coaching the Royal Family’s children in swimming.
I began swimming at the age of 8 in Lithuania and, by 13, had earned a place on the country's top team. While I achieved success in competitive swimming, I soon discovered that my true calling was in coaching. I pursued higher education while continuing to nurture my passion for the sport, which has remained a constant source of joy, stress relief, and connection—especially now as something I share with my own child.
With years of experience and deep dedication, I’ve had the privilege of helping others develop their skills and confidence in the water. I believe wholeheartedly that swimming is not just a sport, but a lifelong pursuit—accessible and beneficial to people of all ages.
Maciej Mitura
I grew up in Poland and started swimming at the age of six . I soon became a member of a local swim club and competed successfully at National level. When my professional swimming career ended, I became an instructor in order to pass on my experience and knowledge to the generations ahead. I have taught in a number of swim schools and clubs in London, my focus being on correct technique; this enables my students to progress smoothly and effortlessly in all four strokes. I also have a degree in Politics and postgraduate studies in PR which provide me with the skills to manage a large team professionally and efficiently.
Konstantin Karapandze
Swimming has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember—almost as soon as I could walk, I was in the water. It quickly became part of my daily routine, and during my competitive years, I trained 7 to 8 times a week. That dedication led to multiple regional titles and paved the way for my first national appearance at the age of 11. There, I placed in the top 10 across several events, competing among the best swimmers in the UK.
My main stroke was breaststroke, but over time I transitioned into freestyle and butterfly, which allowed me to thrive in medley events.
Outside of swimming, I have a passion for travel and enjoy playing other sports—especially tennis and football, both of which I also love to compete in.
Milan Kantor
I am a graduate of Sports Science and Physical Education at Brno University, Czech Republic (2006). At the age of ten, I started swimming with my local club and, by fifteen, I was training eleven times per week and competing successfully at the Czech National Junior Championships. My success in the pool allows me to work effectively in the water with the students by providing technically clear demonstrations which help them visualize what it is they are trying to achieve.
I arrived in London in 2006 and have worked as a swimming coach and instructor with numerous companies. Since 2017 I am managing the Wimbledon venue for Nautilus. My aim is to use my technical knowledge to help my students achieve their highest potential in their swimming.
I continue to work closely as a swimming coach with the staff and students at Glendower Prep School, Pembridge Hall, Wetherby and Thomas's Kensington/Clapham.
Athina Konstantinidou
I have been teaching swimming to all ages and abilities since 2011. I started learning to swim when I was 4 years old at my local pool in Greece. It seems that I had a natural talent for swimming, so I progressed quickly and became a successful competitive swimmer.
After ending my competitive swimming career, I decided to do my BSc in Physical Education and Sports Science, specialising in swimming. I have always had an interest in water-based sports. Even as a child, I would help to teach my younger cousins how to swim.
Swimming is one of the most important skills to learn at a young age. So, I decided to become a swimming coach to facilitate my knowledge and teach people to gain water confidence. I have had wonderful coaches who were caring, patient and supportive when I was young so I would love all my swimmers to have the same positive experience and I will do my best to make that happen.
Some students are fearless and love to jump into deep water without thinking twice, while others are more cautious. Some students are easily distracted and talkative while others are timid and uncertain. Each child is different, and they have unique fears and motivations. When I teach them how to swim, I try to tailor the swimming lessons to meet their individual needs.
Few things are more rewarding than watching my students’ progress and feeling proud of their accomplishments.
Paulina Matus
I’m a passionate swimming instructor with over 5 years of experience teaching swimmers of all levels. My love for swimming began at a very young age, when I swam with my dad as early as 4 or 5 years old. By the time I was 10, I had qualified for a swimming class at my school, and I continued training in that program until I was 16. At that point, I expanded my skills by enrolling in both indoor and outdoor lifeguarding courses. Now, as an instructor, nothing brings me more joy than watching my students grow, improve, and develop a lasting love for swimming. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced swimmer, I’m excited to help you reach your goals. See you in the water!
Margarita Damova
My name is Margarita and I come from Bulgaria when I started swimming at the age of 6.
I have been a competitive swimmer and part of the Bulgarian national swimming team for many years. I participated in many national and international championships, including open-water swimming world cup competitions achieving a 4th place ranking
My higher education was in sports journalism and swim coaching. As swimming and communicating with people are my two favorite activities, my job as a swimming coach enjoyably combines both these very well! As well as Bulgarian instructor qualifications, I also have the GB teaching and coaching certificates as well and, overall, I have more than 15 years experience in teaching/coaching. I love my job and believe that giving my students individual attention, even in a group, is one of the key ways for them to reach their goals.
Bogdan Rogulin
I’m Bogdan, a native of Poland, bringing a wealth of aquatic experience and linguistic
versatility to my role as a swimming instructor. Fluent in English, Polish, Russian, and
Ukrainian, i believe that my impressive qualifications and dedication to swimming
instruction make me a standout in the field.
With a STA Level 2 Award in Teaching Swimming and a IQL Level 2 Award in Pool
Lifeguarding, Intervention, Supervision, and Rescue, my commitment to safety and skill
development is evident. My swimming journey spans an impressive 16 years, reflecting
a deep-seated love for the water.
I boast a substantial teaching and coaching experience. I work extensively with young
athletes, focusing on stroke refinement, correcting poor swimming habits, and
enhancing stamina. My passion lies in nurturing motivation within my students, and
fostering an environment where they can excel.
I believe that my sporting achievements underline my dedication to excellence. I
emerged as one of the top-performing young athletes in Poland during 2017/18. A
Collection of medals from prominent swimming events across Poland and Europe
speaks volumes about my prowess in the water. Notably, I secured the third position in
the 50m breaststroke at the Polish Youth National Championships in 2018. My
competitive reach extended to various European countries, including Austria, Germany,
and Slovakia, showcasing skills on a continental scale.
Beyond the pool, my interests are eclectic. Photography, filmmaking, running, and an
active lifestyle dominate most of my leisure time. I am an avid reader of self-
development literature and an enthusiastic traveler.
My journey into swimming began at the age of 5, overcoming an initial fear of the water
through my father's support. Competing from the age of 9, I transitioned into a semi-
professional athlete and clinched notable achievements, including the 3rd place in the
Youth National Polish Championships at 17. This journey taught me the importance of
facing fears and persistently pushing my own limits.
Looking ahead, I envision sharing rich swimming experience. I am drawn to the Nautilus
swimming Programme for its distinctive approach and innovative teaching methods.
I specialize in stroke development aspiring to enhance swimmers' efficiency and speed
in the water. I thrive on helping them surpass their personal bests.
My journey as a swim instructor mirrors my own swimming journey—rooted in passion,
driven by excellence, and always seeking growth.
Niloofar Roozbehani
Kyle Owen Smith
free and fun early childhood living wild on farms and in the national parks of Zululand,
Zimbabwe and Namibia. When my family settled in Swakopmund, Namibia I joined the local
swim club at the age of seven. Initially a very skinny, gangly and shy kid, I would swim as a
junior in the South African system and later as a senior for a newly independent Namibia.
Both my brother and I swam for the country and I went on to swim the 1500m free and
200m backstroke in the final of the 1995 All African Games.
I came to the UK in 2001 and started swim teaching and coaching in Inverness, Scotland
before coming to London in 2003. Since then I have been involved with a number of swim
schools and swim clubs over the last 23 years both in the UK, as well as in Namibia, the USA
and Asia. I hold a BSc in Psychology from the Open University and I am both UK and FINA
qualified as both a swimming coach, teacher and a baby’s instructor.
As a coach/teacher I try to be very technique focused and strive to build self- confidence by
empowering children through understanding and a sense of ownership of the activity they
are doing. I am a naturally patient, calm and humorous person and value the
person building part of my job as much as the technical swimming skills that I am developing.
In the future I aim to return to Caithness in north eastern Scotland to buy a home and start
a part-time business where I can live a more outdoor lifestyle. My hobbies and interests
include adventure travel, open-water swimming, free-diving, surfing, hiking, rugby horse
riding, trying to learn bass guitar
Michele Giacuz
I have been teaching children and adults of all levels for more than eighteen years, both in Italy, where I come from and, for the last ten years, here in London. I pride myself on an ability to work with everyone from the most inexperienced, timid swimmer to aspiring tri-athletes looking to improve their performance.
My lessons for younger students are made to be fun while pushing them to explore and improve their abilities. With a sound understanding of the underlying mechanics and physics of swimming, I am able to provide more structured, technical lessons to advanced swimmers.
Emre Sengul
I grew up in Ankara, Turkey surrounded by family and friends. I developed an interest in sports, particularly due to my father being a former professional football player. Especially during our summer visits to our cottage, I spent all my time in the sea and pool. The local pool became my second home, and I found joy and purpose in the water. Over the years, this passion transformed into a journey that led me to competitive swimming and eventually coaching.
As I witnessed the profound impact of swimming on personal development and building confidence, the desire to share this experience with others emerged. Becoming a swim teacher was a natural choice. Swimming has been a source of strength for me, offering not just physical well-being but also valuable life skills. I believe swimming goes beyond a skill—it’s a transformative experience. Now, I enjoy sharing this joy with others.
Now, as a dedicated swim teacher, I find immense joy in helping individuals overcome their fears and discover the incredible world beneath the water’s surface.
Annamaria Veres
I started swimming at the age of four. I quickly joined the school squad and won my first medal at the age of six! Since then I competed continuously until my late teenage years in Eger, Hungary. I then went to Óbuda University in Budapest and completed my engineering degree.
I moved to London in 2008 and first worked as a lifeguard. In 2011, I started my journey as an ASA qualified level 2 swimming teacher, then level 2 coach. Since then I have worked for various different swim schools across London with all abilities and age groups from preschool to adults. I have found my time teaching has been the most rewarding years of my life, helping me to grow personally and professionally.
In 2018, I became an STA qualified baby and pre-school teacher. This was an amazing experience as I discovered an innate love and ability for the craft, and I have found my parent & baby lessons to be my favourite teaching time!
I really enjoy seeing my little swimmers (and their parents) growing with confidence in the water, having fun and learning new skills week by week. I am a kind and patient coach, I am passionate about swimming and the water, something I try to pass on to my pupils. Getting to know who they are is essential to me so I can tailor the lessons to their individual needs.
Nikola Akrabov
I have been swimming since the age of six and was National Champion in Bulgaria for seven consecutive years in freestyle and butterfly. Swimming is a vital life-skill as well as a fun thing to do. I enjoy teaching both children and adults with my aim being to get them to share my enthusiasm for this amazing sport. I like to think I am particularly good at motivating swimmers by tapping into their full potential in a fun and enjoyable way.
Madhi Faraji
Bedirhan Yildiz
I was born in Turkey and started my swimming journey at 6 years old at a local swimming club. I became a national swimmer and national underwater hockey player. I have been on Youth Olympic Games and won the world cup twice. Since then I have decided to become a swimming teacher, and I have been improving my knowledge and experience for teaching. I studied sports of medicine. I’m very passionate about sports therefore I love sharing what I’ve learnt throughout the years of my experience in swimming.
Fernando Cuevas
I have been teaching swimming for more than ten years in several swimming schools and clubs across London. Through this experience, I gained valuable skills to motivate and teach swimming to students of all ages and abilities, from preschool students, aged 2 and 3, to competitive swimmers, and various walks of life.
My passion for the water began at the age of 6 in the open waters surrounding Barcelona. The sense of achievement I felt at taking my first independent strokes is still prominent in my memory and is emulated each time I teach someone to swim.
Swimming became a gateway to other sports and a way of life. I obtained my ASA level 2 in order to expand my knowledge of teaching so that I could successfully help others achieve their goals. Still eager to become more accomplished, I completeda BSc (Hons) in Sports and Exercise Science and, a Bachelor degree in Physical Education whilst continuing to teach swimming.
I bring to my students enjoyable and varied swimming lessons according to their age and ability, where having fun in the water is an essential part of my lessons. With my passion, enthusiasm and sheer love of swimming, whether students are a complete beginner or an experienced swimmer, my goals for every one of my pupils are to look forward to a terrific time when they are at the pool.
Robin Conway
I have been swimming from the age of 4 years old i started swimming with Swiss Cottage Swim Club getting to canteen championship
I have a strong link to water as I used my swimming skill to start work as a lifeguard when i was 16 years old then moving on to swimming teaching i have or so With an MA in Fine and Art and over 17 years’ experience in underwater photography with some of the top ballet dancers in the UK and Europe.
Michal Leks
I am a qualified PE teacher with an additional five years of experience of working as a swimming teacher. I am an enthusiastic educator who enjoys working with children and is committed to developing their physical skills.
Having spent the last few years teaching swimming to children at all levels, I have formulated a very good relationship with them and have found that I can instill in them a real enthusiasm for sports, health and fitness. I believe that my dedication and involvement in sports activities and healthy lifestyles will encourage and contribute to children’s swimming education.
Massimo Catucci
John Hull
I enjoy teaching enormously and would like to think I have helped lots of children to become more confident and proficient in there swimming.
Luis Gallo Mudarra
I grew up in Spain where we have loads of lakes, rivers, miles of sea shore and great swimming pools. I started swimming at the age of 4 and I gradually built up to reach competitive swimming.
Once in the UK, I completed a dance theatre degree that took me to have a career in the arts as a dancer and choreographer.
My experience of moving my body in a wide variety of sports and creative disciplines translates into having a very acute eye for how humans move and how we perform with our bodies, both in the water and outside.
As a swimming teacher, I take pride in couching good technique, meticulous attention to detail and safety as well as inspiring fun. I believe this to be essential when training non swimmers specially those with water phobia but equally so when developing highly skilled swimmers.
I have enjoyed many years of yoga and pilates practice. I am passionate about facilitating the development of physical awareness, save and healthy body performance and confidence. I have also worked as a researcher analysing creative movement pedagogy: breathing, posture, alignment, dynamics and many other human movement facets.
Francesco Coppeta
Francesco has competed in swimming since he was nine and has been teaching for the past five years. His lesson approach consists of detailed physical demonstrations from in and out of the water, a playful attitude and engaging communication skills. Francesco believes that every skill is achievable with practice and dedication; a mindset he applies diligently during his lessons. Other interests include, weightlifting, grappling , cycling and yoga.
Anderson da Rosa
Born in Brazil I have always been passionate about any kind of sports. I played Football and Volleyball throughout my childhood until University when I moved to London in 2009.
Since then I have been working in the leisure industry in different areas from fitness Instructor ,Lifeguard to swim manager I have been a swimming instructor for almost 10 years and during all those years I taught children and adults with all different levels and backgrounds
Laurence Leonard
I am a qualified ASA Level 2 Swimming Coach & ASA Level 2 Swimming Teacher.
Swimming is a huge passion of mine as I am an ex-county standard swimmer and still swim most days myself for personal fitness in pools and open water.
As a teacher, I take great pride in creating engaging and progressive lessons for all my students and aim to develop swimming skills that focus on technique and fitness, as well as being engaging and playful. I incorporate skills that will help swimmers progress competently and efficiently.
Anastasia Mihailova
I dedicate my whole life to sports, I think sports is the most important thing to be happy and healthy. I started swimming at the age of 5 in a local swimming pool in Latvia. After some time I moved to the competitive level and started winning junior competitions. Years of hard training gave me the opportunity to participate in open championships in countries such as Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus and the Czech Republic. During my professional career, I have many junior records in both individual and relay events. During my university studies I competed in the London League and BUCS (Sheffield, 2022). I am in my final year at Brunel University London studying sport, health and exercise science.
Gradimir Angelov
Born in Southeast Bulgaria - Burgas, city by the sea, I have had a passion for water sports from a very early age. When I was little child I spent most of my free time on the beach surrounded by water where I felt calm, comfortable and confident. I took note of these feelings and directed them into the field of competitive age group swimming. At age of twelve I started studying and training in the Sports School of Burgas in the following disciplines: 100m, 200m and 400m Individual Medley. .After finishing my career as competitive swimmer, I discovered the enjoyment of other aquatic disciplines such as Water Polo. I have been teaching swimming for 6 years in South West London and my greatest skill is patience; I believe that with small steps we can make big changes! I really enjoy working with kids and passing my swimming experience onto them, keeping them motivated to stretch their athletic potential.
Aleksandra Jaminska
Sport is my greatest passion in life! As a child I always wanted to spend as much time on my various sporting activities as I could, and my interest in swimming grew over the years. So much so, that I decided to pursue it as a profession, and graduated as a P.E. teacher from the Academy of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Poland. As a student there, I specialised in sports management and swimming coaching courses at every level, from toddlers through to adult swimmers, including those with special needs.
I get huge enjoyment from working with kids and seeing their smiling faces when they are succeeding and having fun at the same time is great. I want to share my enjoyment of sport and inculcate healthy attitudes and enthusiasm for life-long active recreation.
Hillary Ann Nevyjel
I learnt to swim in the alpine lakes and rivers of southern Germany and in the warm waters of Florida. From the age of 9, I also began club swimming. Being in the water for me is pure joy, freedom and fun, whether it's indoors or outdoors, across a lake or doing my laps. I believe swimming is such an important life skill as it's a brilliant way to keep fit and healthy, physically as well as mentally.
My career as a swimming teacher started in 2016. I mainly teach children in private, group and school swimming lessons, aiming to provide lessons that build confidence, improve technique and develop a positive, lifelong relationship with water that will allow my students to enjoy swimming wherever they go.
Jeanine Meehan
I learned to swim when I was three and was part of a swimming club by the time I was 7 years old. So swimming and teaching have been a passion since I was very young indeed.
I competed in the Middlesex county championships and became county champion under 16s 50 metres frontcrawl at the age of 15. I have taught a huge range of people with a variety of abilities and aptitudes, including people with water phobia, mental and physical disabilities and, of course, highly competitive swimmers. I can teach both competitive and non-competitive techniques in frontcrawl, backstroke,breaststroke and butterfly. My lessons are designed to be fun and I aim to build students' self confidence and particularly to share my enthusiasm for swimming. Through swimming, I want students to gain the sort of self belief that will enable them to realise that, in life, they can do whatever they put their minds to.
Gleb Shataylo
A qualified Level 2, ASA Swimming Coach and 1st4sport Level 2 Triathlon Coach, I started my career as a P.E. teacher, before retiring several years ago to concentrate on swimming teaching (2016) and triathlon coaching (2011). I am always very excited to share the knowledge and experience that I have accumulated over my years as a teacher and coach. I have taught swimming across all ages and abilities and this has helped me to improve my understanding of the sport. I have managed to find a wonderful balance in my teaching method that creates both a pleasant environment and a rewarding experience for all. Working on the FUNdamentals and core aquatics skills, I always try to bring new ideas to my lessons. When putting my teaching plans together, I like to ask myself these questions:
- Will the lesson be interesting, challenging, and enjoyable?
- Does it suit the ages and abilities of the learners?
- Is there variety, continuity, and balance?
I am an all-rounder in sports and, apart from my “first love” swimming, I enjoy tennis, skiing, and basketball. I also regularly compete in open water swimming competitions and Ironman triathlon events across Europe. I am a father of three and enjoy spending time with my family including my youngest child who is now doing A-Levels.
Hakan Sofuoğlu
Born in Turkey. Swimming have been among my passions since I was little. I started swimming when I was 6 years old.
In 2011, I broke the Turkish record in the 200m backstroke.
In 2014, I was selected in National Swimming Team and i competed in the Open Water European Championship. (Istanbul, Turkey)
In 2015, I competed in the European Junior Championships. (Tenero, Switzerland)
In 2019, I became the world champion in U23 Underwater Hockey World Championship. (Sheffield, UK)
I graduated from Kocaeli University in Sports Sciences. I have completed higher education in Pedagogy. In addition to my 15 year sports career, I coached swimming, strength and conditioning for 4 years. Meanwhile, I gained experience working with athletes from different age groups and at different levels. I am encouraging all my students to love swimming, and to help them set goals.
Pawel Lichtop
Pawel got his athletic start on land growing up in Poland where he spent his youth playing his favorite sport basketball, but he always had a love for the water.and began swimming at the age of 4; at 7 years old, he joined his local swimming team. As he remembers, swimming has always been a part of his daily regimen, enhancing both his training and peace of mind. He competed as a swimmer for many years and he also swam with the competitive swim team at the University. Pawel has a Masters degree in Education and many years of coaching experience. Whether a student is 3 years old or over 60, he strives to show how much fun the water can be. When not working you might still find him swimming in the pool or on the court excelling at basketball.
Gianluca Dettori
Originally from Sardinia, an island off Italy, I started swimming from a very young age and my passion for swimming led me to a career as a swimming teacher. Later, as I grew up, I fell in love with the sport and I started training regularly and I have never stopped. After more than fifteen years of training, I am excited to be sharing my knowledge with Nautilus students and I hope my enthusiasm comes through in my lessons. My aim is to create strong, happy swimmers and to achieve this, I am both thorough and patient, ensuring each swimmer has the finest technique, whether they are a beginner or a competitive swimmer.