Nordic Learn To Swim & Baby Swimming Conference

Nordic Learn to Swim & Baby Swimming Conference 2026

9–10 October 2026
Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel, Tallinn, Estonia

Get all the important information from here: 

Who is the conference for?

  • Learn-to-swim coaches and instructors
  • Baby and toddler swimming instructors
  • School and physical education teachers
  • Leaders and managers of swimming schools and sports clubs
  • Specialists working in water safety and drowning prevention
  • Everyone who values a safe and confident relationship between children and water

 

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Two parallel programmes: Learn to Swim and Baby Swimming
  • Inspiring speakers around the world, sharing real experiences and fresh ideas
  • Hands-on sessions, practical ideas, and discussions you can immediately apply in your everyday work
  • Inspiration area and activities
  • Networking with like-minded professionals from across the Nordic and Baltic region
  • And of course… a festive evening with delicious food, live music, and dancing!

DETAILED SCHEDULE 

 

SPEAKERS & SESSIONS

We are so proud to bring together experienced practitioners, educators, and specialists from across Europe and beyond – each offering practical knowledge, fresh perspectives, and real-life experience from the poolside.

Learn to Swim Programme

🇦🇺 Ruth & Lyn (Aquatic Mentors, Australia – online)

Challenging Behaviours and Practical Solutions

Ruth and Lyn introduce a highly practical three-step method (O.I.R) for managing challenging behaviours in aquatic environments.

You’ll learn how to understand why behaviours happen and how to respond effectively in real life situations. The session focuses on common challenges such as lack of focus, constant movement, and disruptive behaviour, with strategies you can use immediately.

🇩🇰 Aquatics Denmark (SvømDanmark & TrygFonden)

Everyone Can Learn Lifesaving – Building Water Safety Through Play and Practice

This session shows how lifesaving skills can be naturally included in learn-to-swim programmes.

Through simple and playful methods, you’ll explore how to teach water safety, self-rescue, and basic emergency response –  helping children feel confident and safe in and around water.

🇫🇮 Folkhälsan (Finland)

Outdoor Swimming Schools – Teaching Swimming in Natural Environments

With over 90 years of experience, Folkhälsan shares its unique model of teaching swimming in lakes, rivers, and coastal waters.

You’ll discover practical methods for building confidence, skills, and safety awareness in real Nordic environments for both beginners and more advanced swimmers.

🇫🇮 Riitta Vienola

Senior Lecturer (Arcada University) and water safety expert

Riitta Vienola brings extensive international experience in physical education and drowning prevention. Her work connects research with practical teaching in aquatic environments.

🇫🇮 Michaela Holm

Speech-language pathologist, swimming teacher & baby swimming instructor

How to Inspire and Communicate with Pictures in the Pool

Michaela shows how visual tools can make teaching clearer and more inclusive.

With over 20 years of experience, she demonstrates how pictures can support children of different ages, abilities, and language backgrounds.

🇬🇧 Julie Kamara & Zara Peasland (Aqua Education Academy)

Sessions in both Learn to Swim and Baby Swimming programmes

Julie and Zara are co-founders of Aqua Education Academy and internationally recognised educators in early-years aquatic development.

Their work focuses on understanding how children move, learn, and experience water – helping instructors support confidence and coordination from the very beginning.

Sessions include:

  • Beyond Technique: Understanding Movement Challenges in Young Swimmers
  • Baby Flow: Movement and Development in the First Year in Water

You’ll gain practical ideas to better observe, support, and guide children in the water.

Baby Swimming Programme

🇩🇪 Dr. Daniela De Toia

Sports scientist and international educator

With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Daniela De Toia focuses on how early water experiences support balance, coordination, and overall development.

Her sessions highlight the importance of observation, individual approach, and skilled instruction in baby swimming.

🇪🇪 Krista Peebo

Massage therapist & Aqua Sensory instructor

Supporting a Baby’s Individual Needs in the Pool

Krista combines baby swimming with body awareness and individual development.

Her approach focuses on understanding each baby’s needs and choosing the right support, movements, and techniques to create a safe and positive experience in water.

🇫🇮 Minna Nevalainen & Anneli Toivonen

Specialists in baby and toddler swimming

Water Competence and Toddler Swimming in Finland

Minna and Anneli present Finland’s approach to early aquatic education.

Their sessions focus on playful, structured activities that support both safety and enjoyment in the water.

🇬🇧 Jo Wilson (Aqua Sensory)

Founder, developmental play practitioner & international tutor

Jo specialises in sensory regulation and early water experiences.

Her sessions help instructors better understand children’s sensory needs and create calmer, more supportive learning environments.

Sessions include:

  • Sensory Regulation in Water
  • Supporting Sensory Transitions & Sensitive Beginnings

Her approach focuses on trust, connection, and positive first experiences in water.

Registration fees

Conference

Conference ticket – pay here 

Early bird (until 1 June 2026): 279 €

Regular price (until 1 September 2026 or until sold out): 299 €

Ticket includes:

  • Full access to the 2-day conference programme
  • 2 lunches (one each day)
  • Coffee breaks
  • A welcome gift

Gala dinner  – pay here 

Early bird (until 1 June 2026): 69 €

Regular price (until 1 September 2026): 79 €

Includes:

  • Buffet dinner
  • Live band & dancing

Combine ticket – pay here 

Conference+Gala

Early bird (until 1 June 2026): 345 €,

Regular price 375 €, (until 1 September 2026):

Click here to register 

!!! Early bird prices are valid until 1 June 2026. After this date, final prices apply or registration remains open until places are filled.

Accommodation

Conference participants can also stay at Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel, where special accommodation rates have been arranged.

Tallink Spa & Conference Hotel
https://hotels.tallink.com/tallink-spa-conference-hotel

Special conference rates:

Standard single room – 104 € / night
Standard twin/double room – 114 € / night

The rate includes:

  • buffet breakfast
  • access to the Aqua Spa water and sauna centre
  • Wi-Fi
  • VAT

To receive the special rate, please use the promotional code: NORDICTLN when making the reservation. Click here to BOOK

Bookings can be made:

Rooms are guaranteed at the special rate until 1 June 2026. After this date, bookings are subject to availability.

Further information

Pille Aule
📧 pille@swimming.ee
📞 +372 5349 8496

🌐 swimming.ee

📘 Facebook event