ABOUT

Gylly Wellbeing Swimmers community group was started in 2019 by Psychologist and lifeguard Nick Banfield to help people feel better mentally and physically, by swimming in the sea mindfully, safely, and through connecting with others, whilst at the same time improving their swimming technique.

Since the group began we have included other activities on the beach such as swim coaching, yoga, meditation, running/walking, journaling, and mentoring. We are a community group with constitution, committee and AGM, and we run on a limited budget supported by donations and some grants.

We have all necessary qualifications and insurance, safety is always paramount.

Gylly Wellbeing Swimmers is a place of peace, love and altruism. It provides opportunities to improve mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, as well as improve confidence, offer opportunities for social engagement, and support to all its members.

OUR TEAM

At Gylly Wellbeing Swimmers, our team is dedicated to helping our members improve their wellbeing through swimming and other practices.

Meet some of our team members below.

Nick Banfield

Founder, Lifeguard and Swim Coach

I am a Chartered Psychologist and founder of Gylly Wellbeing Swimmers. I have many years of experience in swimming and wellbeing programs and enjoy helping others improve the quality of their lives.

Tiff Gale

Journaling Club Lead

I"m a certified wellbeing coach and certificated positive psychology practitioner, working to support people in changing outdated behaviour patterns that have become stuck and unhelpful.

I have been a member of GWS for since 2021 and really believe in the core values presented, which represent some of my own, including; altruism, love, compassion and community.

Gill Garrat

Journaling Club Lead

Gill is

Sarah

Swim and Yoga Coach

I am a supporter of movement for positive wellbeing by keeping fit and healthy, I love taking time to enjoy the sea and our beautiful surroundings. I am an experienced yoga teacher, swimming teacher and open water coach, teaching in pools over the winter and in the sea in the summer, I enjoy sharing my passions with others. I am also trained in mental health first aid and as an SLSC lifeguard.

Clare Duncan

STA Level 2

Open water Swim Coach

It's been an incredible journey since I earned my qualification in 2022. Witnessing the positive transformations in people's confidence after just a few swim sessions in the sea is truly amazing and fulfilling. Coaching for me it's a source of joy and fun!

I love trying new things so would encourage anyone wanting to have a go or just improve their front crawl to sign up for our beginners or improvers courses running April to Nov.

Caroline Leighton

Mentor

I am a mother, grandmother and retired teacher. Nature is my happy place and I always find the simple things in life the most beautiful and inspiring. Chronic pain in my younger years led me to the water to heal and I have been sea swimming for the past 5 years. I enjoy sport and have recently taken up the challenge of triathlons. I love listening to people and am a natural giver.

Paul Hills

Swim Coach / Treasurer

I coach in open water swimming, surf life saving and canoe/kayaking and I am also a lifeguard. Happy to try and help anyone with any of these, just ask!

Abril Frederick-Preece

Graphic designer / IT support / Committe Member

I am a MA graduate in Graphic and VIsual Communication. As an illustrator and designer, I´ve been inspired by the sea and nature. As a Spanish tutor, I am excited to see people learning and communicating in my native language.

Swimming has been a place to find myself and connect with nature. Gylly Beach is the perfect place for it. I found amazing people in GWS, who support other people to find themselves, that´s why I would like to support the group as much as I can with my skills.

Leonie Bouverie Skelton

Walking - Running Lead

Simon Harvey

Meditation Teacher and Health Coach

I am a Chopra Certified Meditation Teacher, an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® certified facilitator.

An entrepreneur and retired superyacht captain with a passion for physical, mental, spiritual, and emotional health and wellbeing. I work on living with a growth mindset and love to learn and grow with the people and environment around me.

I joined GWS late in 2022 shortly after moving to Cornwall on my first day’s swim at Gylly, and as an introvert, artist, meditator, and lover of life with a motto of life being ‘Die young as late as possible.’ I was overjoyed by the warm welcome I received from this amazing group.

Leaney

Comittee Member

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Alison Dawe