BK’s Learn to Swim brand expands with first Victorian location in south-east Melbourne

March 1, 2023

Clyde North will be the first Victorian location for BK’s Learn to Swim. As the second standalone BK’s Learn to Swim site, with one already established in O’Connor Western Australia, the Clyde North site will service a major growth corridor of Melbourne's South East where there is currently a huge demand for swimming lessons.

The Clyde North standalone site comes as the brand segregates BK’s Gym and Swim into two defined brands, BK’s Gymnastics and BK’s Learn to Swim.

Belgravia Kids Chief Executive Swim Mark Collins notes “there is huge population growth in the area but not yet enough learn-to-swim facilities.

“We’re thrilled to be opening this Clyde North site because we know the local community is in desperate need of this service.

“The local demand is largely from new Australian migrants who may not have been able to access swimming lessons or water safety knowledge prior to starting their life in Australia.

“Ultimately, more swim schools in these growth corridors will mean lives saved.”

BK’s Learn to Swim Clyde North will also offer a special Mothers Group program that allows mothers to swap their Mother’s Group catch-ups for a life-saving swim lesson instead.

BK’s Learn to Swim Area Manager Eb Matthews said the concept is taking off because it makes such good sense.

Matthews shares “our Mothers’ Group sessions allow mums to combine the social interaction and support they need with learning important water safety skills for their little one.

“We hope it’s a concept we see take off further across Melbourne and beyond, because if babies have these skills from a young age we know it will save lives.”

BK’s Learn to Swim Clyde North will operate the ‘GOswim’ program as part of the current five-year partnership between Belgravia and Swimming Australia, which commenced in 2019.

The ‘GOswim’ program aims to take ‘learn to swim’ to a new level, covering key skills like breath control, pool entry/exit and swim strokes alongside ongoing water safety skills and safety knowledge in every lesson. The program is suitable for kids from 6 months old through to toddlers, primary and high school students.

Collins said he was excited about seeing the BK’s Learn to Swim brand expand and adds “we want to provide more children with access to quality learn to swim programs. Our drowning rates in Australia are still far too high, particularly in the 5-12 age group as shown in the latest Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report, and we’ve just had a rough summer with drownings.

“With more swim schools we also get a step closer to the Belgravia Kids goal of positively impacting the lives of a million Australian children per year via physical activity across our businesses.”

For more information visit www.bkgymswim.com.au/swim-school/

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20th July 2022 - BK’s Gymnastics launches new class programs offering clear progression pathways

30th January 2023 - Belgravia Group’s Aquatics Manager Wayne Goldsmith inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame

8th December 2022 - Belgravia Group’s Recreational Gymnastics Australia organisation goes live

17th November 2022 - Waitomo Council appoints Belgravia Leisure as operating partner for Indoor Sport and Recreation Centre

18th July 2022 - Belgravia Group launches Recreational Gymnastics Australia

10th January 2022 - AUSTSWIM and Belgravia Leisure announce swim centre partnership

23rd November 2021 - Belgravia Group’s Jump! Swim Schools brands opens new franchises

22nd November 2021 - Belgravia Leisure takes on management of Murgon’s Jubilee Swimming Pool

30th August 2021 - Belgravia Leisure awarded contract to manage Randwick Council’s soon-to-be-constructed Heffron Centre

31st January 2023 - New partnership between The Y NSW and Rainbow Club makes swimming lessons more accessible for young people with a disability

15th January 2023 - Royal Life Saving data shows 20% increase in children’s post-pandemic swimming lessons

11th December 2022 - Demand increases for swimming lessons and activities at Benalla Aquatic Centre

21st October 2022 - Royal Life Saving report shows need for nation to catch up missed swimming lessons

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