After trying to improve my swimming without a coach with what I thought was some success, I thought I would give Create Fitness a try. In 3 months my freestyle stroke has totally changed and the time and distances I feel comfortable swimming have significantly lengthened. Unlike running or cycling which most people 'just do' I would highly recommend swimming lessons with Create to really get the technical efficiency that swimming is all about . In terms of improved times/distances in comparison to money spent, its probably the biggest return on investment than any other piece of kit.

I came across Mark Durnford when I was looking for adult swimming lessons in Bristol, having recently relocated here. I'm training for triathlon, and whilst I could swim quite far, my technique was non-existent (I didn't even put my face in the water!) I chose to start with breast stroke and then progress to front crawl, to give me some options of variety in my training. Marks teaching approach is amazing. His direction is completely clear, and he has endless patients. He also praises frequently which really keeps you motivated during the tricky bits. Each session focused on a particular part of the stroke, which I would then take away and practice between sessions. 3 months later I have near perfect technique (if I do say so myself!), and now we're focussing on speed and endurance. The cherry on the top was when I went on holiday with my family this summer. I found I was eager to get in the pool with the kids, splash around, jumping in. I would never have done this before, and of course the kids loved it. Next challenge for triathlon is the road bike, and since Mark doesn't only specialise in swimming that's our next project. I would 100% recommend Mark Durnford for adult swimming lessons in Bristol. He makes you feel really at ease, but more importantly he really ensures you reach your goal.

This is information for the bad swimmers. I have never liked swimming. I thought I could swim well enough but had problems with my breathing. I now know that I am good at breathing but my swimming was dreadful. I am happy to recommend Mark to anyone (it's not just for the non swimmers or the better swimmers) if they want to improve their swimming. The Nuffield pool is good venue for lessons and with Marks patient help my swimming is improving. I almost like it.

I am sure many coaches are well read, have the necessary certificates and can indeed teach you what they've learnt. The difference with Mark is that with his wealth of experience, he is the person that writes the books and makes the videos that others learn from! For myself as a rookie triathlete, his ability to recognise what an individual requires in each discipline based on age, physiology, confidence, enthusiasm and competence is where he adds more value than others. No matter what level of athlete and whatever the personal goal, i would bet my house on the fact that you cannot fail to learn something / improve directly as a result of a session(s) with Mark. In a year he has taken me from being pulled out of my first sprint triathlon swim by a lifeboat to a top 10% finisher in my first 70.3 completed in 5hrs. Despite training for 20 years i have learnt the hard way that knowledge, technique and efficiency will always win over brute force in endurance sports and Mark's bespoke training plan is helping me achieve my goal of a sub 12hr Ironman at my first attempt. For 15 years i thought i was a good runner, it took Mark 30 minutes to get me running 15% faster using 10% less effort. For as long as i can train and compete i know there is more to learn, and for as long as Mark is prepared to coach me, i am happy to pay for his sessions, refresher courses , videos, advice and training plans. As with all things in life, you get what you pay for and i couldn't recommend him any more. If i have any advice, buy the five sessions and get one for free because as long as you see the level of improvement you will want to go back for more.

I have had pt sessions from Mark, Swim Fit early morning swim sessions and open water swim coaching, all of which have been excellent. Mark really listens and helps you make the most of the session you have with him. He is supportive but still manages to push you enough to drive you forward and improve your stroke or fitness. Cannot recommend Mark enough.

I booked a block of 6 lessons with Mark shortly before a big relay swim, hoping to tune up my front crawl technique. A combination of Mark's advice, drills and continual video analysis during each lesson really made a difference to my efficiency and speed. I still review the videos he sent me after each lesson! I'd definitely recommend Mark to anyone looking to improve their technique or fitness in a relaxed but really effective setting. I thought the lessons were great value for money too.

I first consulted Mark with the aim to improve my swimming. In the course of just a few lessons he has sorted a lifetime of poor swimming technique. I have learned to become a faster, more efficient and more confident swimmer. He conveys his technical knowledge of swimming effortlessly, with patience and unfailing good humour. Last winter I booked regular personal training sessions with Mark with the aim to improve my fitness for triathlon. Sessions are hard work but fun and I have already experienced amazing results with a 10% improvement in my sprint triathlon time. He is an expert in his field and his passion for fitness training and helping people to achieve their goals shines through. I recommend Mark without reservation as a swim coach and personal trainer. RMouton

Mark was my personal trainer when I was living in Bristol (unfortunately I had to move away - hence finishing my sessions with Mark) Mark is a fantastic trainer, he listed to my goals and objectives and was on hand to talk through my diet struggles - including commenting on a shared food diary (and how my love of chorizo wasn't going to help me achieve my goals) When I had my initial session with Mark I explained how I had struggled with gym routines before and he really helped me by showing me different workouts that I could do in or out of the gym. I would not hesitate to recommend Mark to anyone looking for a personal trainer.

Working with create was the first time I had any personal training time. My swimming sessions changed swimming from being a post gym warm down to an amazing workout, after being unable to run it kept me fit and he really helped with some sports massage and Marks advise made it interesting as laps can get boring if you are not careful! The personal 'gym' training sessions again challenged me in ways I struggle to do on my own. Providing me with structure and making my body work in different ways to stop myself getting used to a set excrete and therefore not getting as much out of it. I would highly reccommend the Create team, they help you achieve what you want in a way which works for you, great fun and great results.

This year I completed the Dart 10K swim. It's a huge challenge. Without Mark's expert coaching this would never have happened! He's a brilliant trainer - calm, knowledgeable, encouraging and he pushes you hard too. I love the join up of poolside training with video, his e-book and helpful blogs. I couldn't recommend Mark and Create Fit more highly.

I really enjoy sports and fitness but I was an absolutely hopeless swimmer. I was going on holiday and really wanted to learn the basics of swimming. After the initial session there was a instant improvement and with Mark's hard work and encouragement I continued to improve. The other thing that impressed me was the admin side of the business - it is very slick and run very professionally.

The swimfit training programme from Createfit is making a game-changing impact on my swimming performance. The group has some good banter, when we have any spare energy to chat, and I look forward to the next session each week. The swim drills are pre-planned and well thought out to keep the sessions interesting and challenging.

After years of promising myself that I'd learn how to swim one day ( i.e, not just a bad doggy paddle with my head above the water!) I decided to take some private lessons as a 30th birthday present to myself. Mark made me feel at ease straight away and is a really wonderful teacher: encouraging, attentive and working at just the right pace. After just one lesson I felt so much more confident and after 3 or 4 I found myself completely hooked! As a result I can't reccommend the lessons highly enough. This time last year I would never have believed that I'd be going swimming a few times a week and enjoying it so much. Definitely never too late to learn!

Mark has been my personal trainer for the better part of two years. He is the ideal combination of friendly and exacting – so my sessions with him are hard work but fun. Mark is encouraging when I make progress but also understanding at times when I’ve had to reduce my level of gym attendance through work pressures. He is an expert in his field and thoroughly reliable and committed, being a business owner like me.