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

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/