Proteus™
For Adult Beginners Who Are Ready… But Don’t Feel Safe Yet
“The beginning of victory is to know that you can win.” — Plato
A practical path for adults who feel comfortable in water — but need to learn to swim with calm, confidence, and control.
They step into the water with a smile — laughing with friends, splashing with family, playing with their kids.
On the surface, everything seems fine.
But deep down, something's missing.
They can’t float.
They can’t tread water.
They can’t swim more than a few strokes before panic kicks in.
They’ve been avoiding the deep end.
Or only swimming where their feet can touch the bottom.
And in the back of their mind… they know.
If something goes wrong — a current, a wave, a deep step —
they wouldn’t be safe.
They say:
“I’m okay in shallow water.”
“I just want to learn the basics.”
“I’m not scared… just never learned.”
But behind those words is something deeper:
A quiet embarrassment.
A fear of being judged.
And a hope that maybe — just maybe —
It's not too late to learn.
We’ve met hundreds of adults just like this.
Mostly migrants, now calling Australia home.
Strong, successful, intelligent people — who never had the chance to learn.
Some want to swim at the beach.
Some want to snorkel at the Great Barrier Reef.
Some just want to feel calm when the water goes past their chest.
And all of them share one thing:
They’re ready.
They’re ready to learn.
Ready to let go of the shame.
Ready to feel free in water — and maybe even in life.
That’s what the Proteus™ program is for.
Every year in Australia, adults drown — not because they were afraid of water… but because they felt too comfortable without truly being safe.
Many could paddle.
Some could swim a few metres.
Almost all stayed close to the edge — thinking it was enough.
But when something unexpected happens — a deep step, a strong wave, a panicked moment —
“almost safe” is not safe enough.
According to the National Water Safety Strategy 2030:
- Many adult migrants miss out on basic swim education.
- A large portion of adult drownings happen near the shore, within 10 metres of safety.
- Most of these incidents are preventable — with just a few essential skills.
The Proteus™ program was built with this reality in mind.
It’s not about medals or competition.
It’s about learning the essentials: floating, treading, breathing, and calm control —
so you can trust your body, protect your life, and enjoy the water with confidence.
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“At 46 years old with no confidence in the water, I decided to learn with Nereids before a family holiday in Europe. By the time we got there, I was jumping off a boat in Malta and swimming in the ocean with everyone else. It felt so good to finally join in.”— Peter Maz
Because true confidence doesn’t begin with speed — it begins with calm control.
Most adults in Proteus™ feel fine entering the water — but can’t float, tread, or swim more than a few metres without stress.
We meet you right there. And we begin together.
Your Nereids swim teacher shapes every session to your pace, fears, and strengths. No assumptions. No comparisons. Just guidance that adapts to you.
We start with calm floating, gliding, and breath control. Then we build toward 25 metres — and for those who progress further, 50 metres becomes the next milestone.
Proteus™ aligns with Australia’s 2030 water safety goals for adults. That means your progress is practical, measurable, and meaningful — not just feel-good.
We don’t rush. We don’t overwhelm. Every skill builds on the last — so your body learns step by step, and your mind learns to trust.
Because the moment you know you can float, breathe, and move — even in deep water — something inside you shifts. And for many of our students, that shift changes more than swimming. It changes how they feel in life.
In Greek mythology, Proteus was a sea god who could change form — a symbol of transformation and adaptability.
We chose his name because this program is about exactly that.
Learning to swim as an adult means shifting from uncertainty to control, from limitation to freedom.
You don’t need to be fearless — just willing to begin.
With every session, something shifts: your body, your breath, your belief.
Until one day, without even realising it —you’ve changed.
So that the ocean, the reef, or even your local pool… finally feels like home.
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“Within five lessons, I felt confident and learned skills I couldn’t get in years of group classes. My teacher patiently helped me review videos, improve techniques, and gave me practice drills. Best decision I made.”— Sanidya
In the earliest days of Nereids, I received a call from a man in his mid-30s — a highly successful CEO — who said something I’ll never forget:
“I’m willing to pay you whatever you ask… as long as you make sure I finally learn how to swim. I feel this is holding me back in other areas of my life.”
He wasn’t afraid of water.
He was comfortable in the pool — but couldn’t stay afloat, couldn’t move forward, and deep down… felt stuck.
He had already tried learning with two other private instructors — 3 lessons with the first, 10 with the second. Still no progress.
And that lack of progress wasn’t just frustrating.
It made him feel embarrassed. Like something so “basic” was still blocking him — not just at the beach, but in life.
He bought a package of 25 private lessons, 60 minutes each — and we began training 5 mornings a week at 6am in his apartment pool.
As trust built between us, he gradually opened up about personal traumas — deep emotional wounds that I could sense were affecting his morale, his body language, and even his breathing.
But he was intelligent. Driven. Hungry for transformation.
So I explained to him how neuroscience and repetition work — that every three lessons, with good sleep, the brain begins forming stronger synapses.
He understood immediately.
And from the very first session, I asked him to set a meaningful goal — something that would pull him forward when things got tough.
He chose to swim in the Great Barrier Reef.
At first, we followed the standard drills: underwater breathing, kickboard exercises, shallow-end practice.
But even after two sessions, I could feel it wasn’t working.
He kicked with effort… but barely moved.
The tension in his body grew with every attempt.
I realised I had to stop following the method that failed him twice — and create a new one.
So in Lesson 3, we did something radically simple:
I asked him to walk slowly around the shallow end, moving his arms in a relaxed, recreational breaststroke pattern.
No pressure. No strict kicks. Just natural movement.
His confidence began rising.
I introduced controlled breathing, suggested holding a bit of air in his lungs like a balloon to help him float, and slowly guided him deeper — until the water reached his neck.
Still no focus on legs. Just calm repetition of arms and breath.
And then, it started to click.
He began swimming short distances with his own strength — from the wall to me, and back again.
By Lesson six, he swam 25 metres across the deep end — with me gently beside him, occasionally offering a light hand under his arm for confidence, but otherwise… he did it.
And from there, it skyrocketed.
In less than 12 lessons, he could swim over 50 metres on his own.
By the end of the 25-lesson journey, we stayed in the pool for two hours, and he swam over two kilometres continuously.
He went from frozen progress to full-body freedom.
From embarrassment… to pride.
From “I’ve failed before”… to “I’ll never forget this.”
And that was the birth of Proteus™.
Not every adult starts afraid of water. Some are comfortable — but still stuck.
And all they need… is a method that meets them where they are, honours their story, and gives them a new one to live by.
— Nikos Vasilellis
Founder, Nereids Aquatic Coaching
Program Format:
Each lesson is 45 minutes, taught one-on-one with a private Nereids swim teacher.
What Most Adults Can Achieve in 12 Lessons:
In Proteus™, we help you build skill, confidence, and control across three pillars:
- Learn safe water entry and body positioning
- Float on your back for 30 to 60 seconds
- Tread water for 20 to 60 seconds without help
- Swim up to 15–25 meters continuously using your strongest stroke (e.g., breaststroke or freestyle with breath control)
- Submerge calmly and move through a hoop or obstacle
- Stay calm and breathe with control — even in deep water
- Move confidently across the shallow end without touching the ground
- Roll onto your back or side for recovery when tired
- Understand water safety for both pools and ocean settings
- Feel in control of your body while swimming
- Reduce panic, hesitation, or emotional blocks
- Build the belief: “I can do this” — not just physically, but emotionally.
Some adults reach 50 meters within 12 lessons. Others take a few more — and that’s perfectly okay.
What matters most is that by the end of Proteus™, you’re not just moving…
You’re moving with control, rhythm, and calm — and that’s what keeps you safe.
Because confidence isn't just a feeling.
It’s the moment you realise: “Even out here… I belong.”
We believe every adult deserves to feel safe, calm, and capable in the water. And we believe in our method so much — we back it with a powerful promise.
If you complete the full Proteus™ program and don’t reach at least 6 of the key goals, we’ll give you 2 extra one-on-one lessons — at no extra charge.
Because you’re not just booking swim sessions.
You’re investing in real progress, safety, and a life-changing skill.
Here’s What You Need to Know:
- Applies to adults enrolled in the Proteus™ program (12 lessons, one-on-one)
- All lessons must be completed within 16 weeks of your first session
- You’ll need to attend consistently and follow your teacher’s guidance
- The guarantee excludes students with diagnosed medical conditions that may significantly affect learning
Every person learns differently.
These benchmarks are based on real results from hundreds of adult swimmers we’ve helped since 2015.
And our promise is simple:If you show up and give it your best — we’ll walk with you all the way.
Why This Guarantee Matters
Most swim schools — and even private swim instructors that work on their own — don’t offer any kind of progress guarantee for adult beginners.
Especially not for those who “should” feel confident… but secretly don’t.
At Nereids, we do things differently.
We back every Proteus™ journey with care, clarity, and commitment.
Because this isn’t just about ticking off skills — it’s about changing how you feel in water, and in life.
We’re here to help you move, float, breathe, and finally feel safe.
And if that takes a couple of extra steps — we’ll take them with you.
12 Private Swimming Lessons (One-on-One)
For adults who feel comfortable in water — but don’t yet feel safe or strong.
What’s Included:
- 12 private lessons (45 minutes each)
- One-on-one with a trained Nereids swim teacher
- Step-by-step method to build core swimming skills and water safety
- Personalised instruction tailored to your natural strengths
- Progress tracking across key movement, safety, and mindset goals
- Flexible lesson times to suit your schedule
Backed by our Confidence Guarantee — if you don’t reach at least 6 of the key goals, you’ll receive up to two extra private lessons free.
Program Fee: $1200 AUD
Fixed price.
In rare cases, extra costs like parking or external pool hire may apply — and we’ll always let you know in advance.
Payment surcharge:
Prefer bank transfer? No surcharge
Using a card? A 2.25% processing fee applies.
Not sure if this is the right program for you?
Book a quick call — just a caring conversation to help you take the first step, when you're ready.
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“I’m older and not a swimmer — but my teacher helped me gain the confidence to swim and even jump into the deep part of the pool. The best decision ever!”— Ruth RomaineIf you feel comfortable entering the water — but not yet swimming confidently — you’re not alone. And you’re not behind. You’re exactly where you need to be.
The Proteus™ program was built for adults just like you — determined to learn, ready to rise, and open to guidance that works.
Spots are limited, especially during peak times, so we recommend booking early.
Here’s what happens next:
- Click the button below to book a quick call with our team
- We’ll answer your questions, check availability, and guide you step by step
- We’ll help you create your member account, purchase your program, and schedule your lessons
We’re here to help you build real skill, calm, and confidence — for life.
Because once you can move freely through the water…a whole new world opens up.
I can go in the water, but I can’t float or swim properly. Is this program right for me?
Yes — this is exactly what Proteus™ is designed for. If you feel comfortable entering the water but can’t stay afloat, swim confidently, or handle deeper areas, this is your next step.
Is this a good program if I want to learn swimming for future activities like snorkelling or surfing?
Absolutely. Proteus™ builds the safety, body control, and breathing skills needed as a foundation for open water activities like snorkelling, scuba diving, or even surfing.
What if I’ve already had lessons before, but I still can’t swim?
That’s very common. Many of our students have tried group lessons or even other private instructors without success. This method is different — fully one-on-one, tailored to your strengths, and built on neuroscience, body awareness, and trust.
Do I need to put my face underwater?
Eventually, yes — but only when you're ready. Learning breath control and submerging calmly is part of your water safety. We’ll guide it step by step.
How many lessons per week should I take?
Most adults start with 1–2 lessons per week. If you're aiming for faster progress or have a specific goal (like an upcoming trip), three lessons per week can build momentum quickly.
Can I extend lessons to 60 or 90 minutes?
Yes. While the standard Proteus™ lesson is 45 minutes, you can choose 60 or 90 minutes if you prefer longer sessions. Just let us know when booking.
Where do the lessons take place?
We come to your home or apartment pool. If you don’t have access to a pool, we may be able to teach at a rock pool, a netted beach, or assign you to a teacher who has access to one. Let us know your situation and we’ll find the best option.
Do I need special equipment?
Just goggles and swimwear. If you feel cold easily, a wetsuit or swim shirt can help you stay comfortable during the lesson.
Will I learn how to swim freestyle or breaststroke?
Yes — and it depends on what suits your body best. We often begin with recreational breaststroke or simple freestyle with breath control, depending on your strength and comfort.
Is there a time limit to finish the lessons?
Yes — you have up to 16 weeks to complete your 12 lessons. This gives you flexibility while keeping progress steady.
What if I complete all 12 lessons and still struggle?
We back the method with our Proteus™ Confidence Guarantee. If you complete the program and don’t reach at least 6 key safety and control goals, we’ll offer up to two extra private sessions at no extra cost.
What if I need to travel or miss a week?
You’ll have up to 16 weeks to complete your 12 lessons, giving you flexibility while still keeping progress on track.
Still have a question we didn’t cover?
We’re here to help. Whether you’re exploring options or ready to take the next step, we’re happy to chat and guide you forward.
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