Testimonials & News

Swimming So Young is So Worthwhile

Sun, 13 May 2012 20:17:10 +1000

Whenever anyone asks me if I think it’s worthwhile starting the kids at swimming so young I can honestly tell them ‘YES!!” Caspar is only 2 and a half years old and is such a water baby. I always knew I would have to keep a closer eye on him than I had to with either of my other children. I started him at Billabong Swim School with Judy when he was about six months old.
Just this past January we were enjoying the use of a pool while we were house sitting for a friend. I turned my back momentarily to get goggles out of a bag when I heard a splash. I assumed it was my 5 year old who is a good swimmer as I felt Caspar by my side. BUT it turned out to be the other way around! Seconds later when I turned around, it was 5 year old by my side and Caspar in the centre of the pool. His whole body was under the water with JUST his nostrils sticking out. His eyes were submerged and full of fear, everything was happening so quickly!! I jumped in and grabbed him. When I got him out of the pool he was obviously frightened and started to cry. He was shaking and the only words he could bring together were “FLOATING” AND “JUDY”. He knew that Judy had taught him to float so he rolled the best he could onto his back with his little nostrils sticking out. It brought tears to my eyes and thanks to my heart for Judy and her team for teaching Caspar what he knows and used when he needed it. I just don’t want to think about what the outcome would have been if he had not known what to do best he could even for a short time.
We had another incident last weekend at our beach. On a hot day, while dinner was cooking, we headed down to the beach for a quick dunk to cool off. What started as a very pleasant activity SO quickly turned into what could have been disastrous. It was just myself, Phoenix, 5, and Caspar, 2, in the shallow water, not intending to stay long. The water on the surface was calm and gentle, but the sand under the water fell away very quickly and became deep with a very strong under current. Phoenix started to drift out with the undercurrent and with Caspar in my arms I had no time to take him back to share so had to swim

Words From Kathleen

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 19:12:48 +1100

When we enrol our little babies in swimming lessons it is wonderful to see them enjoy the water and have loads of fun. As they advance and move through the levels, to watch them develop is very exciting and rewarding (even with the tears and believe me we had lots of those). We were determined to push on knowing the importance and boy, has it paid off. I think for most of us parents, the aim is most definitely to know that your children are safe and confident whenever in the water. It is one thing to see this whilst they are at their weekly swimming lessons, but another entirely when you witness it in the ‘outside’ world. Recently we went on a family holiday to a resort with a pool, of course. To watch our children swim so confidently and strongly was a very rewarding feeling. The biggest thing for us was watching our three year old daughter swimming the width of the pool and back, but even better was when she became tired she calmly rolled on her back, floating and kicking ever so gently until she got to the edge, time and time again. We were both “Wow! Wow! Every cent we spend on lessons, there it is.” We weren’t the only ones. I continually have many people ask me how my children are such good swimmers. It was even noted at my sons school swimming carnival that the children who swim at Billabong have such good stroke and technique.

Happy Words from a Longterm Customer

Tue, 8 Nov 2011 18:56:35 +1100

Our daughter Amy now six years old commenced swimming lessons at Billabong Swim School at the age of 18 months. Her swimming techniques have improved so much and she still continues to enjoy her swimming lessons. We are very much a beach family and are involved heavily with our local surf club, TH & C SLSC at Greenmount Beach.
I believe swimming plays a very critical part in the development of young children both mentally and physically and it certainly has been a great attribute to our three older children.
On all my visits to Billabong I have always been made welcomed. My three year old son loves walking in and saying “Good morning Miss Trish”. Trish is the receptionist and does so well to accommodate everyone in regard to changes in lesson times, collection of fees and personally remembering everyone’s names. Her professionalism demonstrates her interest in her position and to the operation of the business.
My daughter has progressed in her levels in the classes at Billabong to the extent that I now feel confident as a mum with her swimming ability that she is able to confidently reach the side of the pool if she situation arose. Unfortunately too many children lose their lives to drowning each year, but I now feel that my daughter has been taught lessons by Billabong to enable her to save herself even at her young age.

Billabong Swim School Fair Day 2011

Sun, 16 Oct 2011 18:49:34 +1100

Billabong Swim School had their second open fair day at the pool on the 16th of October 2011.
The Fair Day for the Cause for Kailis was a fantastic day and we couldn't have asked for more beautiful weather. The day went very smoothly and the activities were ALL very popular!! Thank you to all who donated your time and items for the silent auction and raffle, we can’t believe how many kind hearted people are out there in our community. We can’t thank you all enough. The day was a dedication to Kailis’ short life and was also to make aware that whooping cough is in our community and is not eradicated as once believed.
Kailis was born a happy and healthy baby boy on the 12th Feb 2011. The new addition to our family was a delight even to his big sister who doted over him. Things started to go wrong when he was only 2 weeks old, and we thought he had developed a common cold. When Kailis was 3 weeks old I felt this was more serious and not just a common cold, so I took him to the hospital only to be turned away as they said it was just a cold and I was overreacting. 3 days later Kailis stopped breathing in his cot, we rushed him back to the hospital where it was confirmed as a case of whooping cough. That was the last time we saw our beautiful baby’s eyes open. Kailis continued to fight the disease for a further 4 weeks in the Mata Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, on full life support with 24hr care. However, the fight was too much for his little body and Kailis passed away on the 22nd April 2011.
Kailis has touched the hearts of all and will be sadly missed by many. As a parent we love our children and don’t wish for any harm to come to them, and when you’re in a situation where you are faced with the possibility of losing that beautiful angle, you understand and realise that it’s the little things that you treasure in life. The Fair Day meant a lot to us, as we were able to give back to the doctors and nursers who fought so hard to save Kailis’ life.
While we were at the hospital we saw that it was in desperate need of equipment. When Kailis was on the life saving machine called an ECMO, they had to borrow another one from another hospital. If they couldn’t borrow another machine Kailis would not have been given a chance and most likely be taken off as another child’s odd to live were better than his. This shouldn’t happen in our day an age; Hospitals rely a lot on funding to buy equipment. The Fair Day was able to get us and the Mata hospital that little bit closer to purchasing another life saving EMCO.
Jay and I thank everyone who supported the event and donated there time we could not have done it without you. Also a huge thank you to Judy and John who have been a huge support to us, without them, none of this could have happened.
John and Judy wish the best for all your children and families and will be planning soon for Billabong Swim School Fair Day 2012 to help some other children, students or cause.
Please see the Fair Day 2011 photo gallery for pictures of the day.

Sons Death Leads Effort for Life-Saving Machines

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 18:43:37 +1100

‘‘The more money we can raise, the more equipment we can buy to save more lives,’’ Mrs Smith said.
‘‘When we were (at the Mater) they only had the two ECMO (heart and lung support) machines and they actually had to borrow machines from other hospitals because they didn’t have enough equipment.
‘‘If we can raise awareness about whooping cough and the fact it is around by raising money towards a good cause – if we could just help one family save their child – it will all be worth it.’’
9712 cases reported in NSW so far this year, closing in on the peak of 12,577 cases in 2009.
51 cases in Tweed Shire to date this year, slightly below five year average
Life-threatening in babies, can lead to apnoea, pneumonia, feeding problems and weight loss, seizures and brain damage
Also known as the 100-day cough or pertussis
Usually begins with cold-like symptoms including blocked or runny nose, tiredness, mild fever and a cough
Cough gets worse with severe bouts of uncontrollable coughing, followed by vomiting or choking or taking gasping breath which causes a ‘‘whooping’’ sound

Building Healthier Swim Schools Seminar Series Another Success

Thu, 25 Aug 2011 16:22:51 +1000

Once again, thanks to the generous support of Australian Unity, the 3rd annual Building Healthier Swim Schools Seminar Series was a great success. Over 150 people from over 60 different Swim Schools attended the events in Melbourne, Brisbane & Sydney.
Australia’s Biggest Loser host, Hayley Lewis, was again MC. Delegates were educated on financial planning advice from one of Austral Unity’s Senior Financial Planners, along with hearing from Commonwealth Games record holder (most representations) Adam Pine and a panel of fellow Swim Schoolers. Hayley and Adam were also available for signings of ‘their’ Born to Swim posters; and to have their pictures taken with Swim School staff. Adam and Hayley are pictured here with Judy Bonning from Billabong Swim School.
Added to this was the invaluable networking and lunch. FREE ... thanks to Australian Unity. Arian Tebb, Aquatics Programs Coordinator at Monash Sport, added: “Thanks to the Swim Australia team for another great Building Healthier Swim Schools Seminar in Melbourne. It was fantastic chance to get an update on current Swim Australia projects which will have a great impact on our industry and our community and also to hear from Australian swimming champions Adam Pine and Hayley Lewis. It is always enjoyable to have some time out of the office and off pool deck to catch-up with industry colleagues.”