Shaken but not deterred

The Christchurch earthquakes have severely disrupted business in the city but one is achieving new highs, despite aftershocks, as it becomes recognized as a leader in developing systems to teach water skills to young children.

In the past week, Christchurch swim educator Smart Moves in Water has signed a partnership agreement with AUSTSWIM - one of the world’s great learn to swim and water safety teaching organizations.

AUSTSWIM is to endorse and promote Smart Planner, a teaching, knowledge and resource system developed by Smart Moves in Water, to over 600 swim schools across Australia.

Smart Planner is a web based tool that offers lesson planning, creation and sharing for sports and recreation activities. The system is designed to help swim schools (and other sports and learning organisations) deliver consistently high quality, but infinitely customizable, lessons for school and pre-school aged children.

Smart Moves in Water Managing Director Mike Fitzgerald says the company was determined to move forward following the February 22 quake.

“Our team and their families are all shaken, but safe. The best thing we can do now is to drive our business forward and improve our contribution to the local economy. Pursuing the partnership with AUSTSWIM gave us something to strive for and we now have a huge opportunity for our company,” he said.

“AUSTSWIM has a substantial national and international reputation for the training and licensing of high quality learn to swim and water safety teachers - we are just delighted AUSTSWIM has recognized the value of our systems. We’re also very pleased to join the exporters of this country with a product that is resource light and part of the knowledge economy.”

The Smart Planner will be rolled out to about 600 Australian swim schools by July 2011 enabling teachers to access a comprehensive knowledge base of pool-tested teaching activities for school and pre-school aged children, developed by experienced and qualified swim teachers in consultation with early childhood development experts. The system also includes Smart Lessons – a ready to teach curriculum.

AUSTSWIM CEO Gordon Mallett said the company’s allegiance with Smart Moves in Water would make a real difference to recognised swim centres.

“Its significant benefits include essential time and cost savings for businesses, improved quality and consistency across organizations and one-click customizability to meet specific needs,” he said.

ENDS

About Smart Moves in Water
Formed in 2010, Smart Moves in Water brought together 4 previously established businesses with the common goal of providing a better experience for children, parents and teachers in the water.

Jenny McPhail, under 5s swimming specialist. Jenny is the driving force behind the lesson planner and knowledge base.
Gill Connell, globally recognised authority in child development. Gill runs a child development consultancy and provides developmental expertise to organisations such as Hasbro Toys and Play School.
Todd Mason Olympic Swimming Coach and co-owner of Kings Swim School. Todd has developed swimming programmes for all ages and abilities from 5 year olds to 85 year olds
Pam Berry-Mason, ex Primary School Deputy Principal and Teacher, co-owner of Kings Swim School. Pam brings skills to organise and structure levels and lessons
Mike Fitzgerald, Business Consultant who leads Smart Moves in Water. Mike identifies and implements solutions that support the successful delivery of quality programmes, improves operations and profitability.

Smart Moves in Water aims to provide swim schools and teachers access to quality knowledge and resources, to improve the quality, consistency and appropriateness of what is taught in the water.

Smart Moves in Water have created:
• Smart Planner - a comprehensive knowledge base of pool-tested teaching activities for under 5 year olds, within lesson planning, creation and sharing tools, and
• Smart Lessons - a ready to teach curriculum.

About AUSTSWIM
AUSTSWIM, a not-for-profit organisation also known as the Australian Council for the Teaching of Swimming and Water Safety, is the national peak industry body for the training and licensing of teachers of swimming and water safety. AUSTSWIM’s Vision is that every Australian will be taught to swim by an accredited AUSTSWIM teacher™, enabling them to safely enjoy aquatic environments and activities.

AUSTSWIM has a strong philosophy that is founded on the belief that all Australians should have appropriate and relevant swimming and water safety skills and understand the principles and practices of water safety.

Over the past 31 years of operation AUSTSWIM has gained an outstanding national and international reputation for the training of high quality teachers of swimming and water safety; licensing over 125 thousand general teachers of swimming and water safety with over 20 thousand of these completing AUSTSWIM extension licences in specialist areas including; teaching swimming and water safety to infants, adults, people with a disability and bridging the gap between learn to swim and competitive strokes. AUSTSWIM also has a significant reputation amongst swim centres with currently over 600 recognised through the AUSTSWIM swim school recognition scheme.