History of Swimming Solutions

Swimming Solutions is based upon Sydney’s most successful independent swim school. We offer a unique service where we only have 4 pupils to a class, the teachers always teach in the water so that they can quickly and efficiently correct pupils stroke technique, this coupled with a proven teaching style created by former Australian record holder John Widmer, helps us gain the best results for the pupil.

About George Hopkinson: Swimming Solutions Founder and Owner

George Hopkinson was brought into swimming at an early age, his parents, Kath and Phil, encouraged him to learn to swim early so that he could enjoy water based activities as soon as possible, especially in the sea on family holidays to Portugal.

His love for the water expanded from just enjoying the water to a love of swimming when he joined City of Coventry Swimming Club and Warwick Lifesaving Club, where over the next 6 years he became 3 times National Speedo League Finalist and a European Medallist at the Luxembourg Euro Meet. George then started teaching swimming at Abbey Fields swimming pool, Kenilworth.

However, George’s real talent was in his competition Lifesaving, which he continues today. He’s won numerous junior national titles and records, including a European Record at the European Championships in 2003. In 2005 George went to Australia to train with the best lifesavers in the world, he also came into contact with a very inspirational man called John Widmer. George worked closely with John at his swim school and learnt how the best teach and coach swimming. The pair worked closely with Toneya Price who won the 2005 Pan Pacific School Games. George could not help but think of how this style of teaching could benefit people in the United Kingdom.

Upon Georges’ return, he worked at Abbey Fields swimming pool with Debbie Pritchard with the under 4’s lessons and school swimming programmes. George mainly concentrated on the one-to-one swimming lessons, where he felt he could make most use of the Australian skills he has learned, however setting up a swim school like Johns’ was his ultimate goal. With the help from the Swimming Solutions Team, George is proud to present 'Swimming Solutions'.

Career Highlights:
2000-2002:
National Speedo League Finalist with City of Coventry Swimming Club
2000-2002:
Various Warwickshire and Warwickshire Schools Caps.
2001:
Luxembourg Euro Meet - Bronze 400m IM, Bronze 200m IM.
2003:
European Junior Lifesaving Championships - Gold and European Record in team event.
2006:
Australian Lifesaving Championships - Bronze, Overall pointscore.
World Lifesaving Championships - 10th, 100m Tow w/Fins.
Double British RLSS and SLSA National Champion
2007:
European Senior Lifesaving Championships - 2*Gold and 1 Bronze in team events
European Senior Lifesaving Championships - Bronze, 100m Carry w/Fins
Double British RLSS and SLSA National Champion
Commonwealth Finswimming Record: 50m Surface Stereo Fins
2008:
Triple British University Champion
Double RLSS Champion
SLSA National Champion
World Lifesaving Silver Medallist - Team Event
2009:
Triple British University Champion
RLSS + SLSA British National Champion
2010:
Australian National Championships - "Fastest Man in Fins" 
Victorian State Championships - 3*Gold
Selected to represent 'Team Victoria'


George with the GB Lifesaving Team at the World Lifesaving Championships 2008

George now resides in Melbourne Australia with his Fiance.