Our Story

We love kids, swimming and the water but what really motivated our founder Lesley, a former theatre nurse, to take off her scrubs and put on some bathers in 1992 was a desire to save lives before they reached the operating table.

Drowning is Australia’s leading cause of unintentional injury for children aged 1-3 years. 800 drowning incidents occurred in Australia between July 2017 and July 2018 of which 249 were fatal and 551 were non-fatal drowning injuries. There are approximately 360,000 accidental drowning deaths globally each year.

At Blue Dolphin Swim Centre we say even 1 incident is 1 too many as most drowning deaths are preventable.

We have made it our mission in life to provide quality swim programs that save lives through education in our local community.

We know that our methods are the best way to teach a child to swim, and we have fun while we do it.

Lesley’s learn to swim experience as a child was built on fear as her swimming teacher threw water on her face whilst she cried and choked. As a 5 year old you can imagine the lasting impression that this made. Inspired by her experience, Lesley commenced building her accredited swim school that starts with foundation skills in her nationally recognised baby swim program right through to adult instruction as it is never too late to gain independence in the water.

Whilst the journey and the swim school has continued to grow from leased pool space to a purpose built swim centre with fitness classes, our philosophy that every child is precious and that teaching to swim can save a life is still at the core of why we are as passionate today as Lesley was 26 years ago.

Lesley’s Daughter Tara has followed in her footsteps with her passion for safer swimmers in our community. From a little girl sitting on the side of the pool watching her Mum teach to becoming our Director, Tara has learnt all about the business from the grassroots up.  With 18 years experience under her belt both here in Australia and overseas, Tara’s commitment to the team (aka the Blue Dolphin Family) and our core values is demonstrated through her dedication to continuous improvement in all facets of the business.

Tara’s dreams for the future are big and bright and Blue Dolphin Swim Centre continues to stand out as a nationally and internationally recognised swim school.