Operating a swim school can be very challenging. You need safe, clean and warm water, specifically designed for teaching. In addition, you need swimming equipment, qualified staff, operation guidelines, business support and staff training. The list goes on and on. Here, we discuss how a team of experts can help bring your swim school to life.
Laurie’s Background
Firstly, Laurie started his first swim school in 1966, in Townsville, tropical north Queensland. But he started off as a Physical Education Teacher. However, an illness saw him return to Townsville where his father managed the famous Trobruk pool. From here, he started teaching swimming and after a short while his swimmers were getting great results at State Championships. This saw not only his coaching career take off but also his learn to swim business thrive. In fact, many teachers and coaches start off just like Laurie. They have very little business skills but mostly teaching knowledge. Oftentimes, they can find themselves owning or operating a swim school business which need lots of knowledge and support.
Team of Experts
Meanwhile, Laurie realised that he needed a team of experts to live up to his mission statement. To clarify, his mission is “to be the best provider of swimming services by promoting water awareness and water safety in a clean, friendly and safe teaching environment with highly qualified staff”. Over the years, Laurie has teamed up with other experts within the aquatic industry to help him manage his business. Here, we share with you his go-to people to help you manage your business better.
AUSTSWIM
Over the ensuing years, AUSTSWIM developed a core AUSTSWIM Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety™ Course and registration process. Moreover, the industry recognise AUSTSWIM training and accreditation as the core to the development of personal aquatic survival skills. As as well as the minimum standard to teach swimming and water safety. Their accreditation requires teachers to maintain their skills through regular professional development. Including, teaching and minimum CPR standards, by renewing every 3 years with AUSTSWIM.
- They train and accredit 10,000 Teachers of Swimming and Water Safety per year. They have trained over 170,000 Teachers since inception and currently have over 29,000 active, accredited teachers on its records.
- The Australian Council for the Teaching of Swimming and Water Safety, was formed in 1979. Their objective was to develop a consistent and better quality training of Teachers of Swimming and Water Safety across Australia. They consist of a National Council which has members from organisations such as The Royal Life Saving Australia, Surf Life Saving Australia, Swimming Australia Ltd, YMCA, ALFA and from AUSTSWIM State Advisory Committees from each state and territory of Australia.
Swim Australia
Swim Australia’s mission is to help all Australians become safer, smarter and stronger through swimming. This is primarily achievable through development and the empowerment of our swim school network. This is through the delivery of world’s best practice guidelines, professional development programs, growth opportunities and business support. It’s also about fun, and knowing Aussies are safer in and around water. This is as a result of their Swim Australia Registered Swim School experience, and their resulting knowledge. Swim Australia registers Swim Schools teaching swimming & water safety that meet the following criteria:
- Consent by Government Authority to operate
- Program is under supervision by an ASCTA accredited teacher or equivalent
- Agree to abide by National guidelines as determined by ASCTA
Poolwerx
Poolwerx founded in 1990 is Australasia’s largest pool and spa maintenance network. With over 300 territories made up of retail stores and mobile vans, Poolwerx have the best people and latest technology. Poolwerx are on hand to advise and support you to ensure you have a healthy pool that your staff and clients can enjoy. Their services also include chemical sales, safety and fencing inspections, pool services, and pool and equipment maintenance. They are ready to advise you on any specific needs your swim school may have.
Kirby Swim Equip
The Kirby swim equip vision is ‘to make high quality and affordable swim teaching aids that raise the performance of swimming coaches, teachers and their swimmers.’
In response to the lack of user-friendly products in the swim teaching aids market, Kirby Swim Equip proudly developed, produce and promotes Turnmaster Pro and Swim Teaching Platform (STP) – the swimming products and aquatic teaching and training aids that are high quality, affordable, effective and durable.
Kirby Swim Equip is an independent family business operating from Perth, Western Australia, offering unparalleled service coordinated by Bill Kirby OAM, Australian Olympic Gold Medallist and Bill’s father Bob Kirby who has international manufacturing and distribution experience.
Designed by Bill Kirby, swimmer, teacher, coach and swim school operator and Bob Kirby with expertise in materials and manufacturing, Kirby Swim Equip products improve the performance and profitability of your swim school, club squads and individual swimmers.
Kirby Swim Equip products are used in Australia, America and China and by Bill in his own swim schools. Their products dramatically enhance and improve swim teaching and training programs. The Swimming Teacher’s Association has been successfully using the Kirby Swim Equip Swim Teaching Platform (STP) whilst the Kirby Swim Equip Turnmaster Pro is promoted at regional and national events by the British Swimming Coaches & Teachers Association (BSCTA).
Vorgee
Vorgee, an Australian owned and managed company, was established in 2005 to fill a gap in the aquatics market – the need for a ‘holistic’ aquatics company, one which offered products for those getting into a pool for the first time through to the competitive swimmer.
Made up of an experienced team, Vorgee set out to do just that – create a product for everyone, regardless of whether they purchase for style, performance or price. Therefore, the passion and desire of the Vorgee team to make high quality swimming products and swim gear accessible and easy to understand for all, has led to Vorgee becoming one of Australia’s leading and most preferred aquatic brands. For example, their products include accessories and bags, caps, goggles, training equipment.
D&D Technologies
D&D Technologies, makers of the MagnaLatch magnetic, self-latching gate latch and TruClose, self-closing hinges, commits itself to support efforts to prevent drowning world-wide. The company has been awarded the “Kidsafe Product Award” for Australia from the Child Injury Prevention Foundation, for our award winning pool safety products and drowning prevention efforts. You can purchase D&D’s products through fencing contractors, and in most popular Hardware outlets throughout Australia.