Swim schools splash back
Published on 31 January 2022
Kiama Leisure Centre’s Swim School, Squads and Gymnastic 2022 classes kicks off from 31 January.
Swim School supervisor Brooklyn Palmer is ready to dive into another busy year, with 1,365 students aged from six months to 18 years attending the Leisure Centre for lessons on a weekly basis.
“Swimming is a real life skill and it does take time to learn, but it’s so important. Especially in Kiama where you’re so close to the beach and swimming pools, it’s vital for parents and for children themselves to have confidence that they’ll be safe in and around water.”
Brooklyn grew up in Canada where she swam up to the age of 16 at national level.
She came to Australia to study and is in her fourth year doing law at Wollongong Uni.
She says being part of the Swim School has given her another life skill – appreciating different learning styles.
“Sometimes you have to take a step back and figure out what will work best for a particular student to help them progress. Our new online portal has also been good for tracking progress.”
The Swim School has recently moved to a system of ‘continuous enrolment’ which means students are assessed on a rolling basis and can progress to the next level as soon as they’re ready, rather than having to wait for a new term.
The online portal allows parents to view their child’s progress on a weekly basis, although Brooklyn adds that some skills take much longer than a week to learn.
“One of the most enjoyable parts of the job is seeing the children learn different skills and move up the levels. I used to be a swimmer myself, so I love passing on that knowledge,” she says.
If you’re looking to enrol your child into swimming but not sure of their ability, Brooklyn advises parents to book a free, 15-minute assessment class via reception.
Once enrolled, her top tip for getting the most out of swim lessons? “Consistency – come to the lessons and practice, even if it’s at home in the bathtub!”
Enrol now: Kiama Leisure Centre Swim School