Fully Qualified Swimming Instructors
Meet the Team
Joanne Jamieson
Swim School Owner
Swim England Swimming Instructor Level 2
Open Water Swimming Coach
Mental Health Swim Host
Welcome...
I have run marathons, triathlons, duathlons and biathlons! But nothing comes close to the feeling I have now, when I'm in the water. The older I get the more passion I have. My outdoor long distance swimming took a tight hold of me a few years ago, having lost my first husband Mark, one of the top open water swimmers in the country. He died in 2005 leaving me widowed with two young sons. I am now very happily remarried to Stuart, an incredible man, I am very grateful our paths crossed. My Open Water swimming keeps me connected. Every year I set myself goals and challenges.
When I'm not teaching, coaching, or training in the water, be it the sea, river, lake or pool, you will find me covering miles with my Border Collies Skye, Bear and Jess over Dartmoor and beyond.
Caroline Dorich
Admin Assistant
I first met Jo many years ago when she was teaching my children to swim, who absolutely love her; since then we have become great friends. My husband and I have 3 children, one of whom I home school. In my spare time, I love being out in nature, walking the dog, or on the water paddleboarding. Oh, and I just love the feeling of a cold dip in the sea!
Jo Vernon-Smith
Swim England Swimming Instructor Level 2
I live with my husband and our two young boys in the South Hams, having moved down South from Bristol in 2020. I am a fully qualified Swim England Instructor and have been working for Jo Jamieson Swim School since August 2021.
I have a passion for the Sea and am happiest when I'm in, on or under the water. I am delving deeper into the world of Open Water and Wild Swimming as I become ever more involved with the Swim School and also with local friends who, like me, find it hard to stay out of the Ocean! Beyond this, I love Wakeboarding and Mountain Biking. I’m more likely to be found exploring the local beaches and rock pools with a bucket and spade with my two young children.
For me, living by The Sea, and teaching swimming, in a place where it is paramount that children and adults have the knowledge and water safety skills to keep themselves safe, feels incredibly fulfilling.
Julie Lee
Swim England Swimming Instructor Level 2
I began my swimming journey when I was a child, swimming competitively for a number of years. I have always enjoyed swimming and since moving to Devon in 2013 I have particularly enjoyed Open Water swimming, in fact any water based sport. I adore sailing and have a laser dinghy that I race at Dittisham, I also crew in Plymouth on a Benetau First 35. I am a keen hockey player and captain a team at Kingsbridge and Salcombe hockey club and can often be found on the Tennis courts in Ivybridge.
Becoming a swimming teacher was a far cry from my career in civil engineering, but with my two kids grown up and flown the nest, I fancied a new challenge and I love it!!
Helena Osborne
Swim England Swimming Instructor Level 2
I have always had a passion for teaching and I believe learning should be fun. So expect games and challenges and if you’re smiling, and having a great time swimming, whilst learning something new… that’s my job done and I’ll be smiling right back at you!
A bit about me:
I completed my PGCE at the Institute of Education, London in 2009. I have taught in schools in London and the South West, across all ages and loved it. But more recently, I have completed my level two swimming teacher qualification, to combine my passion for swimming and education.
If I’m not teaching, you can find me swimming in the sea, paddle boarding, walking the coastal paths or painting our stunning surroundings, which I feel very lucky to be able to call home.
Looking forward to meeting you all.
Alison Centore
Swim England Swimming Instructor Level 2
I started working for Jo Jamieson Swim School in September 2019.
I teach part time to fit around looking after my two young daughters.
My two main reasons for choosing to become a swimming teacher were to encourage everyone to enjoy swimming as much as I do and to help keep those who spend time around the water safe.
I teach babies from 6 months up to adults of 60+ years and enjoy every minute of it! Though it's always extra rewarding to make just a tiny tweak to a swimmer's technique which makes all the difference and results in beaming faces all round.
When I'm not teaching at the pool I can be usually be found paddle boarding up Frogmore Creek, bobbing around in the sea at Torcross or, for a bit of mindfulness, leisurely swimming front crawl up and down a local pool (preferably an outside one) thinking of nothing but swimming of course!
Lucy Jelf
Swim England Swimming Instructor Level 2
Hi, I'm Lucy, a Level 2 Swim teacher with over 15 years experience teaching swimming. Having grown up on the South Devon coast it's no surprises my hobbies and passions include cold water swimming, walking the South West Coast Path and exploring Dartmoor with my family. I enjoy all aspects of swim teaching particularly the early learn to swim stages and water safety education.
