Swimming instructor Natraj S. did not understand how challenging the disabilities of body and mind could be until mid-2012, when he took up special training in Ahmedabad to equip himself to teach swimming to kids with special needs.
“I have been teaching swimming for many years but I wanted to do something that could make a considerable difference in others’ lives,” says Natraj, who works and conducts swimming classes at Hotel New Woodlands on Dr. Radhakrishnan Salai.
At Ahmedabad, he realised he had to master different techniques to work with trainees who had different problems.
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“Swimming can be very helpful for hyper-active kids. Often, these kids are considered trouble-makers in school. They are full of energy and it has to be channelised effectively. If they swim in the morning, they are comparatively calmer the rest of the day. Again, every kid has to be handled differently, giving them personal attention,” says Natraj.
On training kids with autism, he says, “Every child is different and there is no technique we can teach. We need to understand the limitations of the child and design the teaching style accordingly. We even have to use visual mediums and props to teach them,” says Natraj.
After learning the nuances in Ahmedabad from his coach Vimal Raj, Natrajbegan to take classes in Chennai.
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“We have to be very careful with children. Initially, I’d shoot what I’m teaching on my mobile and then send it to my coach and he would give me his feedback. Now, I do it on my own.”
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