Poll: Vote for the Gold Coast’s best swim school teacher

When the Gold Coast Bulletin asked readers to nominate the Gold Coast’s best swim teacher, we were swamped with hundreds of entries. Now it’s time to choose the overall winner. VOTE NOW

It seems the Gold Coast has no shortage of talented swim school teachers.

THE importance of learning to swim cannot be understated on the Gold Coast.

Thankfully, the coastal city seemingly boasts dozens of talented swim teachers keen to get children or adults taking to the water like ducks.

The Gold Coast Bulletin took to Facebook this week asking for readers to nominate the Gold Coast’s best swim teacher. We were swamped with hundreds of comments from residents backing their favourite instructors. Some teachers received multiple nominations.

↓↓↓ SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE TO VOTE IN THE POLL ↓↓↓

SKYE BOND, SUNNY SKYE’S AQUATIC AND WELLNESS HUB

Lucy Pritchard: Skye Bond from Sunny Skye’s Aquatic and Wellness Hub! She is an amazing teacher who is incredibly passionate about what she does.

She also works with kids who have experienced water related trauma to overcome their fear and become confident swimmers. Her personalised programs also extend to beach and open water safety. Plus she volunteers and works with people who are experiencing disadvantage in the local community and overseas in third world countries to teach them water safety.

Skye is amazing and very deserving of the title of the Gold Coast’s Best Swim School Teacher.

HELEN STAPLETON, HELEN’S SWIM SCHOOL

Karen Gould: Helen Stapleton, owner of Helen’s Swim School. (She works) with a fabulous team of teachers. She has been teaching kids to swim, including those with special needs, for many years. For some families she has taught three generations to swim. Helen has a special gift and develops a bond with each and every child giving them the confidence to learn to swim. Helen is a Mudgeeraba icon

JANETTE DELLOLIO, LITTLE CROC’S SWIM ACADEMY

Carina Folk Miss Janette Dellolio at Little Croc’s swim Academy. Absolutely loved her. My daughter gained so much confidence from Miss Net that I can’t keep her out of the water. She loves to swim. My daughter loved going so much that all we would have to do is drive past Miss Janette’s street and my daughter would point to the street and say “Miss Net”, this was before she was three years old. Now three years later and my daughter still speaks about Miss Net when she’s in the pool.

ANN FERRAR, JUMP SWIM SCHOOLS ORMEAU

Cassandra May Garvey: Most definitely Ann Ferrar at Jump Swim Schools Ormeau. Just beyond amazing. The most caring and kind teacher I’ve ever come across. My daughter lacks confidence and Mrs Ann always made her always feel very loved. My daughter just adores her. All I can say is 100% the best swim school around by far, could not fault her at all.

CASSIE SMALL, SUPERFISH SWIM SCHOOL PACIFIC PINES

Michelle Parrish: Cassie Small from Superfish Swim School Pacific Pines is amazing with kids and is a fantastic swimming teacher. She makes swimming lessons so fun for all ages! My baby is 10 months and he loves seeing her and singing songs and swimming every week. He waves at Cassie as soon as he sees her! My six-year-old went from not being able to save himself in water to swimming the length of the pool unassisted in a few lessons with Cassie. He then moved up classes in a few months and said “I have to have Cassie as my teacher!”. I am now confident he can save himself as he has improved so much. At his lesson today he jumped in, rolled over and floated for ten seconds fully dressed in shoes and clothes unassisted! She has had a great impact on my kids and I’m so happy we found a fantastic swimming teacher, who I highly recommend!

TAYLA WILKINSON, SUPERFISH SWIM SCHOOL PACIFIC PINES

Stevie Anne: Miss Tayla from Superfish Swim School Pacific Pines. She is so patient, caring, enthusiastic, fun and is very aware of each of her student’s personalities, struggles and strengths. She takes the time to help the child with things they may be struggling with by making it fun and tickling them, playing with their feet and making them laugh or pretending to chase them. She gets so excited and happy when she sees her student’s make progress, it is so nice! Her passion for what she does shines through. The progress that my daughter has made since starting with Miss Tayla has been outstanding. Miss Tayla has never been absent from any of my daughter’s classes with her. She should definitely be in the running for Gold Coast’s Best Swim Teacher!

DAVID BREE, BREESWIM

Japjit Rajpal: David Bree at Breeswim, Southport. He’s so good that there are not enough words. The techniques and the way he treats his students is really amazing. I would recommend David Bree any day. We have tried at least 4 swimming schools before him but nothing like home. David you are the best buddy!

WENDY BEUTEL-O’KEEFE, LAURIE LAWRENCE SWIM SCHOOL

Michelle McCosker: Wendy Beutel-O’Keefe from Laurie Lawrence Swim School at Burleigh. The kids love her and she loves them back with her enthusiasm, fun and engaging spirit!Wendy is the best!

ANNA ROCCON, RACKLEY SWIMMING MIAMI

Casandra Nicholls: Has to be Miss Anna Roccon, Rackley Swimming Miami. She has the kindest heart and genuinely cares about every single child in the pools. From babies to squads!

DONNA GARMAN, DONNA GARMAN SWIM SCHOOL

Bree Varley: Donna Garman Swim School is amazing. The difference in my children’s ability and confidence is astounding. Could not recommend Donna enough!

SHAUNA-LEE BAIN, SUPERFISH SWIM SCHOOL PACIFIC PINES

Jen Hutchinson: Miss Shauna-Lee Bain from Superfish Swim School Pacific Pines. Our 4.5-year-old son is autistic and struggles to concentrate but Shauna is patient with him and has taught him to be independent and confident in the water.

LARA JANE, GULLIVERS COOMERA

Ally Hilton: All the staff at Gullivers Coomera are such a welcoming, kind, loving team. Miss Lara Jane has been our little 11-month-old’s teacher since she was 12-weeks-old. Miss Lara is more than just a swim teacher, she is energetic, fun, kind, loving, encouraging and flexible. Miss Lara understands that all children develop different things and achievements at different stages and with this does not have unrealistic expectations. Miss Lara works with the needs of the individual child and adapts her teaching and style to what the child needs. Miss Lara will encourage a child to perform at their very best! Miss Lara emphasises teaching children water safety. We are so grateful to have found the perfect swim school and teacher for our daughter

MATTHEW BRETT

Jacob Rayner: Matthew Brett. Not only a swim instructor, but also a paramedic in training. Just can’t stop him helping people out.

KERRYN HARBER, SUPERFISH SWIM SCHOOL BENOWA

Emily Louise Pomfrett: Miss Kerryn Harber from Superfish Swim School Pacific Pines. The best centre we have found, especially with the make up lessons etc! They actually care about the kids learning to swim, not just the dollars.

ANNE MAREE HALKETT, SUPERFISH SWIM SCHOOL BENOWA

Benjamin Anderson: Anne Maree from Superfish Swim School Benowa! She was absolutely wonderful with our daughter. She made swimming lessons really fun and challenging. Highly recommend her to anyone introducing their child to swimming.

ALEXANDRA SMIROLDO, SUPERFISH SWIM SCHOOL PACIFIC PINES

Shelley Chappel: Miss Ally (Alexandra) from Superfish Swim School Pacific Pines! Ally is amazing! She loves teaching the kids, she is so passionate about it. She is so kind, loving and such a beautiful person! The work she has done with my daughter has been amazing. How far my daughter has come in such a short time is all due to Ally and the respect my daughter and her have for each other. The whole team at Superfish Pacific Pines are amazing but Ally is the best.

MISS MAYNIE, JUMP SWIM SCHOOLS ORMEAU

Mel Dowling: Miss Maynie from Jump Swim School in Ormeau! She is an amazing teacher, she makes each child feel special. A real natural with kids. My girls adore her!

ANGE OLIVER, JUMP SWIM SCHOOLS BUNDALL

Georgia Kervin: Ange from Jump Bundall. She’s been amazing with our son Archie, he has honestly come so far in the short amount of time he’s been there. Can’t thank her enough for giving him confidence in the water and love for swimming!

KAT HUGHES, JUMP SWIM SCHOOLS BUNDALL

Katriya De Vincentiis: Miss Kat at Jump Swim Schools Bundall is amazing! She goes above and beyond to make sure all her little students feel confident in the water.

GEORGIA BARNES, JUMP SWIM SCHOOLS BUNDALL

Kirsty Norman: Miss Georgia from Jump Swim School Bundall! She is the best!

LARA MULLER, RACKLEY SWIMMING MIAMI

Tarnah Blane: Miss Lara Jayne Muller from Rackley Swimming Miami for sure! She is so amazing with all her students and lives for the water!

ROBERT OLLERENSHAW, LAURIE LAWRENCE SWIM SCHOOL

Emma Lawrence: Laurie Lawrence Swim School’s Robert Ollerenshaw, who is currently Coaching my darling Evie. Thank you!

DAMIEN GULLIVER, DG SWIM

Erina Peters: DG Swim – Damien Gulliver.

BREE JOHNSTONE, SUPERFISH SWIM SCHOOL BENOWA

Dominique Thomas: Miss Bree from Superfish Swim School Benowa. Great energetic swim teacher. Can change her approach depending on what a little one is feeling on the day and knows how to push the little extra to get results.

KIM PROVIS, SUPERFISH SWIM SCHOOL BENOWA

Zoe Pettiona: Miss Kim from Superfish Swim School in Benowa is awesome! She is so kind and patient with my little girl. She definitely deserves to be nominated.

MANDY NAPOLEON, SHAPLAND SWIM SCHOOLS

Amy Morgan: Miss Mandy from Shapland Swim School at Gaven. She has been teaching my son since he was four-months-old. She’s fantastic and sings songs to the kids for different swimming techniques. She even supplies swim nappies and towels if you forget them.

MICHELLE O’REILLY, GULLIVERS COOMERA

Alana McLean: Coach Michelle O’Reilly from Gullivers. Both of my children absolutely love her as a coach and she gets the very best out of them in the pool.

JANE LAWRENCE, LAWRIE LAWRENCE SWIM SCHOOL

Emma Hill: Jane Lawrence from Laurie Lawrence Swim School in Burleigh.

LISA PETERS, LAPS SWIMMING SOUTHPORT

Carissa Gray: Miss Lisa – Laps Swimming Southport.

KELLY MORRIS, GULLIVERS COOMERA

Kristina Erwin: There are so many wonderful teachers at Gullivers Coomera, but our favourite baby teacher is Miss Kelly. She has been with us from 12-weeks-old and Kelly has always gone well above what is expected. She is forever encouraging and celebrating the wins, but when required she also takes the time to work through little setbacks using the foundations she has already built on with the kids. Kelly sets a trusting relationship with kids allowing them to get the most out of their lesson each time they swim.

We are forever grateful for the life skills Gullivers Coomera have given our kids.