West Grinstead Swimming Academy: Where Passion Meets Progress

West Grinstead Swimming Academy (WGSA) has quickly become a valued part of the local community. Established in April 2022 by Vikki and her business partner Nick, the swim school was founded on their shared passion for swimming and a vision to create an exceptional learning environment.

Launching the swim school

In 2020, Vikki and her husband built a pool in their back garden, carefully designed for swimming lessons. Nick, who was coaching Vikki’s children at the local swim club, connected with her through their shared passion for swimming. After thorough planning, the pair launched their swim school in April 2022. With Nick’s experience as a Swimming Coordinator at a local leisure centre and Vikki’s years of experience in baby swimming lessons, they have built a strong partnership.

Swimming for all ages and abilities

WGSA offers lessons for swimmers of all ages, from newborns in Discovery Duckling lessons to adults. Teaching up to Stage 7 of the Swim England Learn to Swim Framework, WGSA prepares swimmers for the next step, whether that’s joining a local swim club or simply enjoying the water with confidence. Their adult programme is particularly inspiring, with one group boasting an impressive average age of 78.

With 115 classes running from Monday to Sunday, WGSA has something for everyone. Parents and babies, kids aged 4-12, adults, and even those needing private lessons can find a spot. WGSA also partners with the charity Level Water to provide lessons for children with physical disabilities, reflecting their inclusive ethos.

Making learning fun

One of WGSA’s standout features is its themed lesson plans. “We design three themes each month that are both fun and skill-based,” Nick explains. Recent themes have included World Space Week, Halloween, and upcoming Christmas-inspired sessions.

Tracking learners’ progress

WGSA uses Swimphony, an innovative software platform, to track each swimmer’s progress. Parents can easily access updates through an online portal. For more personalised feedback, Nick and the team are always available for a chat—poolside or over the phone.

Promoting water safety

WGSA is a passionate advocate for water safety, running dedicated sessions every term and participating annually in the RLSS Drowning Prevention Week. Nick’s involvement in the Foundation program at a local swimming club ensures that safety and education extend beyond WGSA’s walls.

A testimonial that says it all

Lydia White, a parent of two young swimmers, shares her glowing experience:
“Wow! I struggle to put into words what a fantastic swim school West Grinstead Swimming Academy is! My youngest son has underlying medical conditions, and I was very nervous to start him swimming, but once we received the sign-off from his medical team that it was safe, I contacted WGSA.

Vikki, Nick and the team are just so welcoming, kind, caring and understanding. My son was absolutely terrified of the water and of being held by someone who wasn’t me, and then after just two weeks, he was in and enjoying the water. We started with 1-2-1 lessons to help gain his confidence, and after a term of 1-2-1s, we are now progressing to class lessons. His happiness and enjoyment of the water are just a joy to see. Cannot recommend this swim school enough!”

WGSA’s advice for aspiring swim school owners

Nick shares three top tips for starting a swim school:

• “Put all your love of our sport into your business and people will see your passion.”
• “The small details matter – find ways to create a community and have fun with it!”
• “Make use of amazing resources like those from Swim England, Level Water, the RLSS and more.”

Looking ahead

In the coming year, WGSA aims to expand its adult swimming programme and introduce more weekday Parent and Baby classes. Their goal is to reach 600 swimmers by April 2025!

WGSA said they value the affiliation with us and the benefits of our Learn to Swim programme. Nick said, “From a wide range of awards to earning a silver trophy at the National Awards in 2023, and this year winning a bronze for Swim School of the Year, these achievements have been pivotal in supporting the academy’s growth.”

Find out more about the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme.

Want to become a Swim England Swim School Member? Find out more here.