SWIMCON International Heads to Dubai in 2026 with CAAR backing

SWIM Coaches and Teachers Australia (SWIM) has announced that its flagship international event, SWIMCON International, will be hosted in Dubai in February next year.

Being held from 13th to 15th February 2026 at the Dubai British School Jumeira, the event will be delivered with support from the Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR) through the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Aiming to strengthen professional and cultural collaboration between Australia and the Arab region through aquatic education, community leadership, and drowning prevention, SWIMCON International Dubai 2026 will bring together coaches, leaders and educators from Australia across the Arabian Gulf and MENA region along other countries.

Announcing the even SWIM Chief Executive, Brendon Ward stated “SWIMCON International Dubai is more than a conference, it’s a shared commitment to saving lives, building skills, and promoting cultural understanding through water safety.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of CAAR and DFAT, which allows us to expand the reach and relevance of our work in a new region. It will showcase innovative solutions to global drowning prevention, promote culturally informed teaching practices, and strengthen professional ties through education and shared learning.”

Bringing together coaches, teachers, policy influencers, and water safety advocates from across the region, the conference will feature keynote speakers, SWIM Australia teaching and coaching courses, hands-on workshops, and a focus on adapting water safety education to regional needs.

The event builds on the success of the 2024 SWIM Nepal Project, a community-led drowning prevention initiative launched by SWIM in partnership with the Global Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Rotary Club. The groundbreaking partnership delivered vital water safety education to Nepalese instructors in low-resource settings, creating employment pathways and community resilience, and established connections with local lifesaving organisations to continue to deliver water safety education to Nepalese.

SWIMCON International Dubai 2026 will seek to inspire and support similar initiatives in the Arab region by creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, community program design, and regional partnerships. A community impact session will highlight the SWIM Nepal model and explore how culturally responsive, locally led aquatic education can make a tangible difference in lives and livelihoods throughout the region.

SWIM’s Education and Professional Development arm, SWIM Australia, will lead the program design and delivery in partnership with local and regional aquatic organisations.

Registrations open later this year.

For more information and updates, visit: https://international.swimcon.org/