Local Guides World
Timothy O'Leary
1 reviews on 1 places
I visited Billabong for a week long trip to observe the lessons. As my family friends, John and Judy invited me as soon as they found out I started my own private swim teaching business in Sydney. I didn't hesitate to come because they taught me how to swim and turned me into a school swimming champion at 8 years old. I only attended one lesson a week plus Friday night races.
Their operation is fantastic all the way from babies (especially babies) to mini-squads. They have a great teaching program but more importantly phenomenal teachers. They have managed to assemble a loyal staff base, most of whom have worked at Billabong for multiple years. Which is unbelievable considering the high staff turnover rates in the industry. They are knowledgeable, take pride in teaching and have a nurturing approach.
The most inexperienced baby teacher at Billabong has taught for 5 years and is a mother herself. I observed baby classes and some two year olds were already paddling for meters independently, which is vital when you consider most drownings among minors occur to children under 4. They have initiatives such as "swimmer of the month" where the receptionist comes to class with a cowbell and a certificate to publicly recognise students who are improving in either ability or confidence. They also have a public board to recognise children who have achieved ribbons at their school carnival.
The owners are passionate about teaching and also have integrity. They keep the pools well heated above 30 degrees and if a class is spoilt because the heater is broken, they offer a credit for that class. Over the winter they offer a second lesson in the same week for $9. I asked the owner John why he would offer that price because it's hardly profitable and he said 'outside of lessons, kids don't swim during the winter'. He wants to see progression and improvement in swimming during the winter, which sets up the swimmers to have safer summers.
I was really happy I came to Billabong. As someone who has taught swimming for 5 years, even I developed a couple of new insights which will help me grow my business in Sydney.
Their operation is fantastic all the way from babies (especially babies) to mini-squads. They have a great teaching program but more importantly phenomenal teachers. They have managed to assemble a loyal staff base, most of whom have worked at Billabong for multiple years. Which is unbelievable considering the high staff turnover rates in the industry. They are knowledgeable, take pride in teaching and have a nurturing approach.
The most inexperienced baby teacher at Billabong has taught for 5 years and is a mother herself. I observed baby classes and some two year olds were already paddling for meters independently, which is vital when you consider most drownings among minors occur to children under 4. They have initiatives such as "swimmer of the month" where the receptionist comes to class with a cowbell and a certificate to publicly recognise students who are improving in either ability or confidence. They also have a public board to recognise children who have achieved ribbons at their school carnival.
The owners are passionate about teaching and also have integrity. They keep the pools well heated above 30 degrees and if a class is spoilt because the heater is broken, they offer a credit for that class. Over the winter they offer a second lesson in the same week for $9. I asked the owner John why he would offer that price because it's hardly profitable and he said 'outside of lessons, kids don't swim during the winter'. He wants to see progression and improvement in swimming during the winter, which sets up the swimmers to have safer summers.
I was really happy I came to Billabong. As someone who has taught swimming for 5 years, even I developed a couple of new insights which will help me grow my business in Sydney.