Debbie Sarri: The Story Behind Aquatots Swim School Canberra

Debbie Sarri has been teaching children to swim since 1975. In this video, the Aquatots co-founder shares how a small swim school at a local school in O'Connor grew into four Canberra centres, and why swimming is the life skill she believes every child should learn first. Debbie talks about: • How Aquatots began in 2002, after the move indoors at the Australian Sports Commission • Why lesson plans are constantly reviewed and refined as new water safety research emerges • Why every Aquatots lesson includes a water safety component • How swimming builds coordination, strength and confidence for every other sport • Teaching children who now bring their own children, and grandchildren, to lessons Aquatots Swim School teaches children to swim and survive, from six weeks of age through to squad level, across four centres across Canberra and surrounding areas in Forde, Gold Creek, Googong and Black Mountain. 2026 ASSA National Gold, Swim School of the Year. Ready to start your family's swim journey? Book a free information session at https://www.aquatots.com.au Chapters 0:00 Why teach swimming 0:16 How Aquatots began 0:49 A program that keeps evolving 1:30 Swimming first, then other sports 2:40 Whole-body development and generations of families #Aquatots #CanberraSwimSchool #WaterSafety #LearnToSwim #BabySwimming