World Class Online Swimming Platform

World Wide Swim School is a leading online swimming platform for coaches, teachers, swim schools and parents. It has been developed by Olympic Gold Medalist, World Champion Swim Coach, Underwater 5-Year-Old Water Safety Advocate and former Australian Rugby Union Representative, Laurie Lawrence.


World Wide Swim School’s training modules and resources have all been developed to educate the swimming industry, children and parents about water safety practices, by using Laurie’s world-renowned philosophies. Recognised by industry partners SCTA/Swim Australia, AUSTSWIM and ASSA, NZSCTA, USSA, we have taken swimmers from beginners to Olympic Medalists. Start your online swim training today!

About Laurie Lawrence

Founder

Laurie’s learn to swim philosophies are the product of more than 50 years of successful swim techniques and coaching achievements. This includes 10 gold, 11 silver and 12 bronze medals from swimmers he assisted at Olympic level. As a result, the Australian Olympic Committee make Laurie an integral part of the Australian team at all Olympic Games between 1996 and 2012.


The culmination of decades of experience in the swimming industry has lead Laurie to create World Wide Swim School. Learn More


Meet the Rest of Our Team

We are successful because we have our amazing team behind us. Meet our exceptional talent and the backbone of

World Wide Swim School.

Ben Pedrazzini 

CEO


Ben started swimming with Laurie when he was 8 years old, and worked for him after he left school, as a Swimming Teacher, and a Swim School Manager.


In 1991, Ben and his brothers bought The Madden Street pool in Townsville from Laurie, which he had built with his father Stumpy Lawrence.


In the late 90’s, Ben came back to Brisbane and helped Laurie get the Kids Alive Program up on the net with his business partner, Steve Whyte.


In 2004, Laurie approached Ben and Steve about sharing his Swimming Teaching methods online, and this was the beginning of World Wide Swim School.

First, they built an online player, which streamed teaching modules. After a couple years of Laurie and his team developing the content, and the dita Solutions team developing the player and payment gateway, WWSS was launched in 2006.


In his spare time, Ben enjoys camping, fishing and boating around the south East and when holidaying, prefers to take the RV route. His favourite thing to do is to catch up with friends around a fire over a few drinks.

Susan Carter 

General Manager


Susan Carter joined WWSS in 2018, having known Laurie and Ben for over 10 years in her role at AUSTSWIM National. She started in the aquatics industry as a Swim Teacher whist at university. She has an expansive career in the aquatics industry, starting at Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV), managing the VICSWIM ‘Learn to Swim’ Program, and AUSTSWIM Victoria, before joining AUSTSWIM National in a General Manager role. 


Susan has 2 teenage boys, who help to keep her active. In her spare time she enjoys the keeping active running and hiking, getting away camping and spending weekends in the garden.

Steve Whyte

COO


Steven Whyte is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of World Wide Swim School, and has over 25 years’ experience in the Television, Publishing and Internet industries.


He was previously Head of IT for Channel 9 Entertainment Co., which saw him delivering large IT projects, such as the 2006 Melbourne XVIII Commonwealth Games, 2010 Vancouver XXI Olympic Winter Games, and the 2012 London XXX Summer Games.


Steve is passionate about helping organisations streamline and simplifying their workflow processes, and he really enjoys how WWSS can help deliver successful outcomes for our clients.

In his spare time, Steve loves taking long walks whilst listening to podcasts, and his favourite podcast right now is ‘Masters of Scale’ with Reid Hoffman.


Vicki Barron  

Relationship Coordinator


Vickie has been part of the WWSS Team since February, 2021, as the Customer Service Coordinator. An opportunity presented itself to come onboard, which she was very excited to accept. She loves working with her new team members, and feels very supported in her new role.


She previously worked as a Swim Teacher for Laurie since 2010. She was also a part of WWSS’s Swim PD Academy, so she has a very passionate attitude to training & development, including personal growth benefits.


Vickie is married with two girls, aged 24 and 18 years old. She has been practicing hot yoga, and Vinyasa yoga, for 11 years, as it helps her to keep a more present and balanced lifestyle, both at work and home.


Katie McCaffery  

Digital Marketing Coordinator


Katie joined WWSS at the start of 2021, as the Digital Marketing Coordinator. Her career background, includes Journalism, Sales & Marketing and Business Development.


Katie has loved working at WWSS, and has found the Team to be so friendly, dedicated to their work and very easy to get along with. Research, writing and analytics are Katie’s passions, and she loves how expansive the WWSS platform is, as it keeps her very busy.


She has recently moved into her first home with her partner Jonathan, and their two fur kids, Bruce and Gigi, and enjoys walking with them along the waterfront every day. Another favourite pastime of Katie’s is to peruse the local area for great coffee shops and dinner spots.


What our Customer are Saying

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We would recommend it to everyone!

Using the Swim School Hub helps to ensure that everyone who works with us, runs their lessons “our chosen way”, and ensures consistency of teaching styles across all of our classes and locations. We have a true understanding of what we are teaching and why, with a proven teaching method.

This has given us much more confidence in our lesson delivery. The resources available are immense, everything is clear and very easy to follow and the support and customer care have been amazing.

We would recommend it to everyone!

Swim School Owner - Canada
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Invaluable Resource

WWSS has been an invaluable resource for our Learn to Swim program and our swimming instructors alike. The Swim School Hub has been instrumental in helping our swim instructors achieve excellence in our swimming program across all levels.

The easy-to-follow format, videos, and simple instructions across all levels have been a great way to keep our instructors engaged in teaching.

Would highly recommend it to anyone thinking of using the platform.

Swim Coordinator - WA
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A comprehensive analysis of all of the facets on trauma-free aquatics!

Congratulations!! This is a comprehensive analysis of all of the facets on trauma-free aquatics! The module covers an immense amount of material that provides a thorough understanding of the impact of trauma and what to do to avoid trauma in aquatics to make learning how to swim an enjoyable experience. I liked the combination of videos by instructors and professionals, as well as quizzes to enhance the learning.

This training is an invaluable resource to assure safe and enjoyable swimming instruction for children.

Frances S. Waters , Author: Healing the Fractured Child: Diagnosis and Treatment of Youth with Dissociation & ©CIT-DY, Checklist of Trauma & Dissociation in Youth
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I love the Swim PD Academy!

I love the Swim PD Academy platform! World Wide Swim School has been the most valuable resource for my learning. The Philosophy of Teaching Swimming allows us as Teachers to put everything into place, providing the best possible outcome.

As an Infant & Preschool Teacher, seeing this beautiful gentle approach to learning is what I aspire to teach most, the skills, knowledge, and understanding of how the development progress unfolds all makes sense and is so vital.

Great job!

Swim Teacher - Melbourne
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The module provided great explanations!

The module did a great job at explaining the science behind how/why people will respond to traumatic experiences. I enjoyed all of it - I believe it’s a beautiful thing to see the awareness of trauma and how we can positively help children enjoy swimming long term.

Laurie Lawrence Swim School , Swim Teacher
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I knew exactly what to do in an emgerncy

I experienced an emergency where a lady had collapsed in the water. Because I completed this training and watched the videos, I knew exactly what I needed to do to help her.

Connor , Swim Teacher
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Gives me confidence to know how to respond

Having the knowledge that my team have completed watched the ERR videos and completed this comprehensive online training gives me the confidence to know they will be able to respond appropriately in an emergency situation if one is to occur.

Alice , Swim School Supervisor
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Thank you for expanding awareness!

It was a good reminder to insure the child feels safe and comfortable in the environment and not to make them do things they don’t feel comfortable with. Thank you for expanding the awareness to all of our team, it not only makes a big step forward in our industry but also in the world.

Laurie Lawrence Swim School , Swim School
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A significant step closer to compliance with the Child Safe Standards

I highly recommend Child Safe Training to every swim school. The online training is simple, easy to use and understand, and covers some important aspects of child safety. It is a step-by-step process to follow working toward meeting the 10 Child Safe Standards. I felt comfortable that we were a significant step closer to compliance with the Child Safe Standards and ensuring our instructors understood the importance of child safety.

Belinda , Swim School Owner
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Very helpful and provides practical tips!

It provided practical tips and simple explanations. The module content was very helpful in explaining the way to handle things and provides an understanding of how people and little people react. I would definitely recommend this training to other swim practitioners.

Laurie Lawrence Swim School , Swim Teacher
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A great tool for every swim school.

For the last 2 years, we have been unable to run face-to-face training with our staff due to Covid lockdowns. The Swim School Hub has been a valuable asset for training our staff during these times. Convenience and varied modules for new instructors to senior instructors are brilliant.

The modules have given staff new ideas to keep motivated and have clearer outcomes for their students. Keeping track of staff qualifications, and the ability to assist staff to update their qualifications has kept valuable staff from leaving. The setup and continued support have been fantastic.

A great tool for every swim school.

Swim School Manger - USA

© 2023, World Wide Swim School

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CONTACT

E | [email protected]

P | +61 7 3568 7920

A | 38/2 Benson St, Toowong QLD 4066