My story
I believe every swimmer deserves to feel safe before they feel fast.
I started IMswimming right here in Oud Metha with one simple idea — teach Dubai families to swim in a way that respects fear instead of rushing past it. Seventeen years on, that's still exactly how I teach: the same patience for a baby's first splash as for the adult who's finally ready to learn on their own terms.
Coach Mary Bernardo — poolside, Oud Metha
A little about me
Coach Mary Bernardo
Founder & Head Swim Coach · 17 years in the water
I've spent the last 17 years teaching swimmers of every age and every starting point — babies taking their very first dip, teenagers working toward a personal best, and adults who've waited years to finally feel steady in the water. I started IMswimming so I could bring that same individual, safety-first attention to Dubai families directly, whether you come to me in Oud Metha or I come to you, at your own building's pool.
What hasn't changed in all that time is this: I teach the swimmer in front of me, not a script. That's true whether you're six months old or sixty.
- Certified Swimming Instructor
- Infant & Toddler Aquatics Certified
- First Aid & CPR Certified
- 17 years teaching babies through adults
- Group, semi-private, private & home-pool lessons
What guides my teaching
The same three things, in every single lesson.
Safety comes before speed
I will never rush a swimmer past what they're ready for. We build confidence in layers, and I check every layer before we add the next one — no matter the age.
Patience is the whole method
Fear doesn't respond to pressure, so I don't apply any. Trust, repetition, and a lot of genuine warmth — that's what actually gets a nervous swimmer into the water.
Progress you can actually see
I want every family to know exactly where their swimmer stands — whether the next goal is a first unassisted float or a stronger 50-metre time.
I'd love to meet your swimmer in the water.
Tell me a little about them — their age, their comfort in water so far — and I'll tell you honestly where I think we should start.