Aquatic Mentors

Hello and welcome to the Aquatic PD Podcast. I am your host Katrina van Eyk and it is great to be talking to you via a podcast again. As we are starting fresh with our rebrand, I wanted to take the opportunity to introduce myself and the podcast to the new listeners and update our loyal followers on what is new.

Season 3 Podcast Episode 2 – Joy Symons Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who has experienced swimming in many environments from the pool to open water and swimming in ice water. Swimming in these ever-changing environments has given her the opportunity to learn more about the sport and more about herself and what it takes to get out of her comfort zone and succeed. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Joy Symons. Joy has over 20 years of international experience in the aquatic industry as an athlete, coach, teacher, presenter, company director and author. An Australian representative swimmer, Joy developed a successful learn to swim program for her company, Aqualification & Fitness, that prepares students for various aquatic sports as well as educates children and parents on water safety. She has written a water safety play for school children (Billabong Dreaming), a book for parents (Sink or Swim: Water Safety and Swimming Lessons Guide for Parents) and hosts a podcast for Swimming and Water Safety Teachers and Managers, called the Joy of Aquatics. This aquatic professional is also a Marathon and Ice swimmer. An inspirational leader in aquatics, Joy was the 2014 & 2019 Queensland Austswim Presenter of the year, 2019 National Austswim Presenter of the year, and was the first female President of the Central QLD Swimming Association. Through today’s episode Joy shares some insights into her work as well as her thoughts on swimming and where she see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Joy’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com So, let’s dive in and find out more about Joy’s journey in swimming. Joy Symons Contact Information: Email: joy@aqualification.com.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joysymons/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/symons.joy Podcast: https://thejoyofaquatics.podbean.com/ Ice Mile Article: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-06-29/joy-symons-rockhampton-swam-ice-mile-thredbo-for-40th-birthday/100249066 Website: http://www.aqualification.com.au/ Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Podcast Episode – Gary Barclay Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who after being told he was throwing his life away for pursuing a career in aquatics has now built a career and a business around swimming and is passionate about helping others in the industry whether that be Swim Teachers, coaches or swimmers achieve their full potential in the sport. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Gary Barclay. Gary has been involved in swimming all his life. From a national level competitive swimmer in the 80’s Gary turned to coaching in 1990 and became one the most successful coaches of junior and age group swimmers over the next 12 years. Since then, Gary has focused on the administration and management of the sport of swimming as well as mentoring and developing swimming coaches and is actively involved at a Club, State and National level in both competitive swimming and in the management and growth of swim schools. Gary was CEO at Nunawading Swimming Club for 17 years and is now the General Manager Performance Pathways for Swimming Australia. Through today’s episode Gary shares some insights into his work as well as his thoughts on swimming and where he see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Gary’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all his contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com So, let’s dive in and find out more about Gary’s journey in swimming. Gary Barclay’s Contact Information: Email: admin@goldclassswimming.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garyabarclay/ Website: https://www.goldclassswimming.com/ Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Jacqueline Cole Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who started her career in aquatics as a volunteer swim teacher and has now built a career through her 20 years working as a swim teacher. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Jacqueline Cole. Jacqueline started her career working with swimmers who suffer from Asthma, helping them grow and develop their lung capacity through swimming. After this program was shut down, she moved on to work with the Rainbow Club. The Rainbow Club is a network of social swimming clubs for children with a disability. With their unique Swim the Rainbow program, Rainbow Club offers a fun and safe community for children with a disability to have personalised swimming lessons catered to their needs. Jacqueline has spent 12 years teaching children with a disability in the Rainbow Club program and she is now their programs and quality manager. Through today’s episode Jacqueline shares some insights into her work as well as her thoughts on swimming and where she see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Jacqueline’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com I have launched a selection of master classes which cover a variety of topics relating to swim teaching and coaching at Regional Swim Clinics Training Academy. These courses can be found on my website: www.regionalswimclinics.com.au and by clicking on courses. All the courses are designed to be easy on your wallet and time while giving you a wealth of knowledge to take and implement in your next lesson or squad session. So, lets dive in and find out about Jacqueline’s journey in swimming. Jacqueline Cole’s Contact Information: Email: aquatics@myrainbowclub.org.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqueline-cole-a591a485/ Website: https://www.myrainbowclub.org.au/ Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/ End of Season 2 Another season has passed, and I would like to thank all my amazing guests. My guests shared so much wonderful knowledge and ideas that I hope will encourage you all to try something new this coming year. I look forward to interviewing the guests I have lined up for you next year and if you know of a great contributor to the aquatic industry that you would like to learn more about, please let me know and encourage them to get in contact at regionalswimclinics@outlook.com so I can share their journey in swimming on a podcast episode. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and I look forward to joining you in the New Year for more great stories and journeys in aquatics. Keep an eye out on the Aquatic Mentors Facebook page for news and celebrations during the break. Thank you all for listening to the episodes and sharing your thoughts on guests’ stories and ideas. Your time and comments make the journey of the Aquatic Mentors podcast so much more fun and worthwhile. Join me next year for season 3 of the Aquatic Mentors Podcast.

Sarah Podesta Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who has been involved in the aquatic industry from a young age when her parents sparked her interest in swimming giving her the goal to complete the levels at her local swim school before being able to swim in their home pool by herself. She continues to make a big impact on the industry. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Sarah Podesta. Sarah started out her Aquatics and Leisure career in local government venues where she worked at Mornington Peninsula Shire Council for 9 years followed by 4 years at the City of Monash, in Aquatic Program Co-ordinator roles before moving to Belgravia Leisure as the Aquatics Services Manager, at WaterMarc. Her current role is the State Aquatics Manager VIC/TAS, providing leadership and support to Belgravia Leisure’s 18 year-round Aquatic Venues and programs of which there is over 18,000 students in Learn to Swim. She is also as an active member of Belgravia’s National Aquatics Leadership Group, the Victorian Aquatic Industry Alliance and Play it Safe by the Water Committee. Contributing towards the effort to reduce fatal and non-fatal drownings, along with wanting everyone to enjoy Australia’s beaches and swimming culture drives her passion for the industry. Sarah believes our industry should work towards enhancing the industry profile to be further recognised and prioritised by Government and Community, through promoting careers as well as the linking what we do (swimming lessons) in effort to reduce drowning statistics. Through today’s episode Sarah shares some insights into her work as well as her thoughts on swimming and where she see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Sarah’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com I have launched a selection of master classes which cover a variety of topics relating to swim teaching and coaching at Regional Swim Clinics Training Academy. These courses can be found on my website: www.regionalswimclinics.com.au and by clicking on courses. All the courses are designed to be easy on your wallet and time while giving you a wealth of knowledge to take and implement in your next lesson or squad session. So, lets dive in and find out about Sarah’s journey in swimming. Sarah Podesta’s Contact Information: Email: spodesta@belgravialeisure.com.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-podesta-329b367a/ Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Karen Baildon Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who has spent her whole life in the aquatic industry and has been sounded by swimming greats since birth. My guest is the daughter of an Olympic champion and a lifetime swim coach, she was named after an Australian distance swimmer, and she is married to another swimming legend. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Karen Baildon. Karen grew up at the Palm Beach Olympic pool walking the deck with her mother who coached the squad kids and her father Sprint Champion and Gold medalist at the Mexico Olympic games for the 100 and 200m freestyle. She helped her mother coach teaching butterfly to the other swimmers when she was 8 years old. She won state medals as an age group swimmer while also training in ballet. The pool eventually won, drawing her back into the water where she has built an amazing career and legacy. Karen married Commonwealth champion Andrew Baildon and when Andrew retired from competing on Australian Teams for 10 years in 1996, they opened their first swim school at 24 years old. They now run 5 privately owned indoor facilities in South East Queensland and this year celebrate 25 years of the Superfish swim schools. The husband-and-wife team are very hands on with their facilities and love to be involved with everything from construction, marketing, building, and training their team to the front desk and even scrubbing the change rooms. After a big health scare in 2011 Karen has had to rebuild her strength and fitness and prides herself on what she has been able to achieve. Through today’s episode Karen shares some insights into her work as well as her thoughts on swimming and where she see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Karen’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com I have launched a selection of master classes which cover a variety of topics relating to swim teaching and coaching at Regional Swim Clinics Training Academy. These courses can be found on my website: www.regionalswimclinics.com.au and by clicking on courses. All the courses are designed to be easy on your wallet and time while giving you a wealth of knowledge to take and implement in your next lesson or squad session. So, lets dive in and find out about Karen’s journey in swimming. Karen Baildon’s Contact Information: Email: karen@baildongroup.com.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenbaildon/ Website: www.superfish.com.au Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Angela Wild Part 2 Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I continue my interview with the swim teacher, fitness instructor and Tiktok star, Angela Wild. Angela talks about the influences and mentors who have helped her along her journey and the way she targets audiences through her Tiktok videos. She also shares her dream for the aquatic industry to come together and work towards the goal of water safety and drowning prevention in a more unified way. I am excited to announce that my passion project, Regional Swim Clinics Training Academy is ready to launch. At Regional Swim Clinics Training Academy I offer masterclasses which complement your development into the great swim teacher or coach you know you are. All of the courses are designed to be easy on your wallet and time while giving you a wealth of knowledge to take and implement in your next lesson or squad session. Each course covers a new specialised topic that enhances your teaching and coaching skills, inspiring you and your swimmers to achieve your best. Every quarter I will be adding new courses so keep popping back to find out what specialised topics you can learn more about. Please share the hidden gems you find in Angela’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook. So, let’s dive in and find out more about Angela’s journey in swimming. Angela Wild’s Contact Information: Tiktok: elemental_aquatics Email: elementalswimsd@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-wild-3ba24640/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElementalAquatics, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100017146245612 Website: http://www.elementalsd.com/ Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Angela Wild - Part 1 Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who started in the fitness industry covering personal training and water aerobics and then found her passion in aquatics where she has now reached over 20 years of swim teaching. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Angela Wild. Angela started her career in the fitness industry working with clients as a personal trainer and a water aerobics instructor. Clients saw her skills working with people in the water and began to ask her to teach their children. The seed of interest grew, and Angela investigated her options and became a swim teacher. During her time managing swim schools and working as a swim teacher Angela completed a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Kinesiology, Fitness, and other connected qualifications. In 2017 Angela took the skills she had developed working in and around the industry and opened her own swim school called Elemental Aquatics and over 4 years later is still going strong. Angela advocates for drowning prevention and active lifestyles for children and took the plunge onto Tiktok videos sharing her aquatic knowledge and drowning prevention to a new audience and in a very creative way. She uses her Tiktok videos to connect with other aquatic professionals, parents of swimmers, and hopes to use her videos to inspire and mentor the younger generation into the aquatics industry. As Angela has such a wealth of knowledge, we couldn’t contain the interview into one episode, so it has been expanded into a two week feature so remember to look out for next week’s episode where I continue the conversation with Angela Wild. Through today’s episode Angela shares some insights into her work as well as her thoughts on swimming and where she see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Angela’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook. So, let’s dive in and find out more about Angela’s journey in swimming. Angela Wild’s Contact Information: Tiktok: elemental_aquatics Email: elementalswimsd@gmail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-wild-3ba24640/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ElementalAquatics, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100017146245612 Website: http://www.elementalsd.com/ Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Juanita Farrell Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who has been involved in HR and Leadership management for the Paul Sadler franchise over the last 11 years. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Juanita Farrell. Juanita started her journey in swimming while facilitating conferences for the Paul Sadler swim school staff. She drew on her background in training and development which she developed while working in her roles through Flight Centre and other businesses. When a People and Culture role was advertised in the Paul Sadler franchise Juanita took the chance to apply and received the role giving her the opportunity to expand on her leadership skills. This role began as a part time giving her a taste of the industry before she progressed in the business to a full-time role as the HR and Leadership manager. During her time in the role Juanita has inspired leaders from the franchise to learn more about their skills and how to develop a great team of people around them who are engaged in their work. Juanita’s highlights in the industry include running two conferences for the Paul Sadler management teams in 2018 and 2019 titled Legacy and Powerful Leadership Lessons Learnt from Tribes. In both conferences Juanita and other presenters researched and facilitated activities which would develop those attending the conference’s and leave a lasting legacy in the Paul Sadler network. She enjoys focusing on self-improvement and understands that our industry is not one that stagnates and that we always need to be developing new and interesting ways to improve the industry and make it more attractive to the public while continually improving ourselves along the way. Through today’s episode Juanita shares some insights into her work as well as her thoughts on swimming and where she see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Juanita’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook. So, let’s dive in and find out more about Juanita’s journey in swimming. Juanita Farrell’s Contact Information: Email: gm.hr@paulsadlerswimland.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juanita-farrell-24b231153/ Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Cherry Smith Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who has been officiating swim meets in NSW since 1994. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Cherry Smith. Cherry picked up a stopwatch at her daughters first come and try swim meet at the Peakhurst ASC swimming club in 1994 and has not looked back since then. After her children moved on from swimming Cherry continued to volunteer her time officiating meets building her experience and knowledge in the technical side of swimming. Cherry has been given the opportunity to officiate at major events like the Olympics, Paralympics, and Commonwealth Games during her 8-year term as a FINA technical official and remembers seeing some of the Australian Olympic and Paralympic swimmers she has officiated compete at their first swim meet when they were young. For the future of officiating swimming Cherry see’s an interesting future entwined with technology and looks forward to a hybrid system where the technology assists us to run a fair and efficient swim meet. Cheery shares her thoughts on the coach/official relationship and explains that the officials are there to keep the swim meet fare and emphasizes that the officials are not out to get swimmers. They enjoy watching swimmers achieve PD and race goals. Chlorine is in her blood and even though Cherry’s term as a FINA technical official has come to an end and she has stepped down from the technical official’s board she looks forward to continuing her walks along pool deck and hopes to give back to the industry by mentoring and supporting new officials and by sharing her knowledge and skills. Through today’s episode Cherry shares some insights into her work as well as her thoughts on swimming and where she see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Cherry’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook. So, let’s dive in and find out more about Cherry’s journey in swimming. Cherry Smith’s Contact Information: Email: cherrysmith52@outlook.com Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Hannah Watkins Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who has followed her family’s tradition into aquatics and has been involved in both the learn to swim and coaching sides of aquatics in two different countries. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Hannah Watkins. Hannah started her career early in aquatics following the family tradition of swimming, competition and then teaching others to swim. She started her aquatics career in Wales before moving to the warmer climate of Australia with her husband and family. During her years of study Hanna has completed a Degree in Sport and Health Science and a Masters in Education completing the latter while pregnant and finishing when her daughter was still a baby. Hannah and her husband Simon moved to regional NSW to retire and ended up starting their own swim school called Swim am byth. Swim am byth now runs in 9 aquatic facilities covering 3 states. She prides herself on the work she does behind the scenes and enjoys converting swim schools from low performing facilities to high performing, buzzing environments where the swimmers, their families and her staff are all valued and seen for the person they are. Hannah shares her knowledge about the Great Britain swim teaching qualification which promotes consistency through the industry allowing easy movement of staff and swimmers between programs. She also shares how her daughter and husband are her driving forces and looks forward to seeing her daughter Skye grow and develop her confidence in the water. Through today’s episode Hannah shares some insights into her work as well as her thoughts on swimming and where she see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Hannah’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook. So, let’s dive in and find out more about Hannah’s journey in swimming. Hannah Watkins’s Contact Information: Email: admin@swimambyth.com.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/HannahWatkins Facebook: Swim am byth Website: www.swimambyth.com.au Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional with a highly successful 17-year career in swimming, a three-time Olympian, businessman, public personality and a motivation speaker so, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Michael Klim. Michael was always drawn to the pool and enjoyed learning to swim as a young child. He found the pool offered him stability and a community environment with a common language in his early life when his family moved around the world before finally settling in Australia. Michael’s amazing swimming career saw him receive a total of six Olympic medals, break multiple world records and collect the title of World Swimmer of the Year. Today, this athlete turned businessman draws on his professional experience as World Champion to drive the success of his entrepreneurial ventures, including his swim school Klim Swim and his global, skincare brand MILK & Co amongst other ventures. Drawing on the knowledge and skills he learnt in swimming and with the help of other experienced aquatic professionals Michael opened Klim Swim Swim School with his family in 1997. Klim Swim has expended to 3 venues including Bail. Michael enjoys spending time in Bail with his 3 gorgeous children and shares his time between Bail and Australia. This year Michael was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame. While he still enjoys swimming in the pool, he has found a new passion in open water swimming with a 7-year involvement in the World Series Swim’s which includes several open water swims around Australia. The events included in the World Series Swim’s include beginner and advanced marathon swimmers. Michael enjoys connecting with charities and those in need and he has affiliations with charities including the Brainwave Foundation, the Polished Man Campaign and Eczema Association of Australia. His experience as a world champion in the pool guides his work in the corporate sector as a keynote speaker and through his personal development workshops and mentoring programs. Through today’s episode Michael shares some insights into his work as well as his thoughts on swimming in Australia and where he see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Michael’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all his contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook. So, let’s jump in and find out more about Michael’s journey in swimming. Michael Klim’s Contact Information: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-klim-oam-b9342b7/ Website: https://www.michaelklim.com/, https://www.klimswim.com/, https://milkandco.com.au/ Email: info@klimswim.com, info@worldseriesswims.com.au Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Alina Graham Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who has been involved in both the learn to swim and coaching sides of aquatics and has spread the knowledge of aquatics across Queensland and many more countries. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Alina Graham. Alina has been involved with aquatics in some way since turning 16 and after a baptism of cold water she started working with her coach running the learn to swim connected with his program. Using the skills, she learnt Alina began training new swim teachers and worked part time in the education department. Alina had the ambition to become an Olympic swimming coach until the passing of a friend made her reassess what she wanted from her life. A short break from the industry helped her realise how much she missed the interaction and the achievements of her swimmers. With her wealth of knowledge Alina has been called on to advise and rewrite a number of aquatic courses and programs. Recovering from her own health scare Alina now runs the facility at Quilpie in outback Queensland. Alina enjoys bringing swimming lessons and other fun aquatic activities to her rural community and finds her community is highly engaged when it comes to aquatics. Through today’s episode Alina shares some insights into her work as well as her thoughts on swimming and where she see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Alina’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook. So, let’s dive in and find out more about Alina’s journey in swimming. Alina Graham’s Contact Information: Email: quilpie@allaboutaquatics.com.au LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/AlinaGraham Facebook: All About Aquatics – Quilpie Website: www.allaboutaquatics.com.au Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Shona Pallas Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who has been working in aquatics for several years gaining a variety of experience in her different roles. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Shona Pallas. Shona began her career in the aquatic industry while still in high school working at her local swim school for a week of work experience. That week had a massive impact on her, and she has built her career around aquatics ever since. Starting her career at a local swim school Shona then moved into the Paul Sadler franchise working at a local facility before purchasing her own facility with business partners at the age of 25. From then on Shona has had many roles in the Paul Sadler including a regional manager position, marketing manager and now the Director of Infant Fun and Safety. In her current role Shona had the opportunity to travel to Canada to study successful infant programs and she didn’t let Covid stop her from researching infant programs in India and similar programs run locally. Shona used the information she found to rewrite and upgrade the Paul Sadler Infant program making sure all their lessons are run trauma free. Shona is a great example of how working in the aquatic industry can inspire someone to change their dream career and build a life in aquatics. Through today’s episode Shona shares some insights into her work as well as her thoughts on swimming and where she see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Shona’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook. So, let’s dive in and find out more about Shona’s journey in swimming. Shona Pallas’s Contact Information: Email: shona.pallas@paulsadlerswimland.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shona-pallas-2b8b5a123/ Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who has had a short career in the industry so far but has already made a big impact. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Lisa Griffin. Lisa took the plunge into her first Swim Teacher course 3 years ago after watching her daughters develop their swimming skills and recovering from a near drowning incident when she was young. Since then, Lisa hasn’t stopped learning. She now holds the Swim Australia Swim Teacher, Babies and Toddlers, Competitive Swimming and a Water Aerobics qualification and is working towards two more qualifications. Lisa uses the wide knowledge she has gained from these courses to enhance her teaching skills. On top of all the study and lockdowns Lisa is a single mother of a very large family and is the career for her 2 lovely daughters with special needs. Lisa’s daughters are her inspiration and she see’s water as a therapy for not just her daughters but for everyone. Lisa has overcome so much I her life and works towards building a career around her daughters where she can fulfill the dreams and aspirations she has to become the super women she wants to be while lighting the path for her daughters to do the same. I look forward to seeing her grow and succeed in the aquatic industry, changing so many lives on her journey. Through today’s episode Lisa shares some insights into her work as well as her thoughts on swimming and where she see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Lisa’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook. So, let’s jump in and find out more about Lisa’s journey in swimming. Lisa Griffins’s Contact Information: Email: lisagriffinphotos@outlook.com Facebook: Lisa Griffin Photography Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Podcast Episode – Kerryn Prouse Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In today’s episode I interview an industry professional who took the plunge into aquatics later in life, founding her passion and a business that continues to grow. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Kerryn Prouse. Kerryn started her swim school in 2014 in her backyard pool as a way of supporting her children through a gap year before they moved on to university. She had spent many years traveling Victoria taking her children to swim meets and while at boarding school her children had qualified as swim teachers so together, they opened Prouse Swim School. Their numbers grow quickly and Kerryn realised there was a market for swimming lessons in Horsham and the surrounding area and hired a local indoor motel pool to continue lessons over Winter while they invested in a heated pump and cover for their personal pool. Once updated they moved the swim school back to their home pool and now have 700 + swimmers attending lessons. Kerryn noticed that some of her swim school families were driving big distances to attend lessons, even traveling from across the border in South Australia. Taking the incitive Kerryn sourced another pool closer to the boarder and now has 200 + swimmers moving through that facility. Early this year Kerryn expanded into another rural pool where her staff teach another 100 swimmers. Kerryn shows you are never too old or young to find your passion and develop a business from hard work. Her passion is to share the water safety message and goes above and beyond for her clients. Through today’s episode Kerryn shares some insights into her work as well as her thoughts on swimming and where she see’s swimming and water safety moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Kerryn’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook. So, let’s jump in and find out more about Kerryn’s journey in swimming. Kerryn Prouse’s Contact Information: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prouseswimmingschool Website: https://prouseswimschool.com.au/ Email: prouse@wimmera.com.au Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Podcast Episode – Stephen Howell Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who has forged his own path through swimming from a junior swimmer, to competing at the world transplant games and now inspiring regional swimming by coaching and organising clinics with high performance athletes. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Stephen Howell. Stephen showed his swimming skills early shinning as a talented school swimmer until he was diagnosed with kidney failure and moved on to dialysis to survive. After receiving a transplant Stephen come back to swimming with a blast and competed in the world transplant games among other transplant events. After noticing a lack of local swimming Stephen developed a passion to build swimming in Bathurst and across regional NSW. Starting his own business, Swim Better HQ, Stephen continues to make an impact regionally by hosting clinics and online events with high performance athletes to inspire NSW regional swimmers and coaches. Stephen wants to encourage change in the industry where promoting swimming is shared by all and supported by the governing bodies and regional swimming across Australia receives as many opportunities as their metro counterparts. His dream is to develop a regional hub in NSW which produces a number Olympic swimmers and expanding his clinics to regional areas throughout Australia. Through today’s episode Stephen shares some insights into his work as well as his thoughts on swimming and where he see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Stephen’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all his contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook. So, let’s jump in and find out more about Stephen’s journey in swimming. Stephen Howell’s Contact Information: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-howell-11424a21/ Website: swimbetterhq.com Email: coach@swimbetterhq.com Twitter: aussieswimcoach Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview one of Australia’s most iconic lifeguards who has been patrolling the NSW beaches and protecting swimmers for 30 years. So, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Bruce Hopkins. Bruce or Hoppo as he is more widely known is one of the world’s most influential and recognised Lifeguards. He regularly graces our tv screens with his work on Bondi Rescue where he and his fellow lifeguards share a look into their work protecting and educating locals and tourists at Bondi Beach about water safety. As a respected water sportsman and competitor Hoppo has won two gold medals at the Australian Surf Life Saving titles, and as President of Surf Educators International he has travelled the world to educate on water safety. Bruce shares his extensive knowledge of water safety with the world through the Float to Survive campaign, encouraging people to learn the skill of floating to help save their life when in trouble in the water. With Bondi Rescue reaching such a wide audience and educating them on the importance of water safety Bruce saw an opportunity to bring this education to the children of Australia and now consults for the children’s TV show – Kangaroo Beach. To top off all his amazing work Bruce has started his own podcast called ‘Life’s a Beach’. In the podcast Bruce interview’s special guests, share his personal journey and talks about the all-important frank discussions impacting himself, his friends, and the lives of his audience. Through today’s episode Bruce shares some insights into his work as well as his thoughts on lifeguarding and swimming in Australia and where he see’s swimming and water safety moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Bruce’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all his contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook. So, let’s jump in and find out more about Bruce’s journey in swimming. Bruce Hopkins Contact Information: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-hoppo-hopkins-17980763/ Podcast: https://www.lifesabeach.co/ Website: www.lifesabeach.co www.surfeducatorsinternational.com.au Email: brucehopkins@bondirescuehq.com Instagram: @lifeguardhoppoofficial @lifesabeachau @kangaroobeachofficial Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Podcast Episode – Kelly Smart Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who has made a big difference in her short time in the industry, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Kelly Smart. Kelly started her career in aquatics 8 years ago as the centre coordinator for the Lake’s Entrance Aquadome in the East Gippsland Shire in regional Victoria. She came in knowing little about the industry but has built her knowledge very quickly by taking the opportunities that come her way. During the 2019 Victorian and NSW bushfires Kelly stood up and took on a crucial role running a second relief centre in town for those effected and displaced by the fires. Her management and aquatic skills played a vital role in her success of taking care of her staff and the community and the connections she made with local emergency services. Kelly shares how the skills she gained from her role in the fires and the experiences she had now shape the way her team deal with emergency training in the facility. She remembers how great it was to see the Aquadome staff coming together to help the town survive. They also worked together to help the neighbouring town of Orbost by helping the aquatic staff at the Orbost pool set the pool up ready for CFA to pump water from the facility which was to be used to fight the incoming fire front. Her experiences in the Christmas/New Year’s bushfires has shown Kelly the importance of slowing down and taking the time to breath and access the situation. After dealing with the brunt of the bush fires Kelly had to jump into the role of Covid officer for the Shire using her connections and knowledge of emergency situations to deal with the shire’s covid response. The skills learnt in the bush fires again played a big role in her response to covid within the community and with her staff. Kelly emphasised taking care of her staff’s mental health and continued to connect and ask questions throughout the first lockdown and into subsequent lockdowns. Through today’s episode Kelly shares some insights into her work as well as her thoughts on swimming and where she see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Kelly’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all her contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook. So, let’s jump in and find out more about Kelly’s journey in swimming. Kelly Smart’s Contact Information: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-smart-26a233170/ Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/

Podcast Episode – Scott Wilson Welcome to another episode of the Aquatic Mentors podcast. I am your host, Katrina van Eyk. In this episode I interview an industry professional who has had years of experience across all areas of aquatics so, please extend a big welcome to the podcast for Scott Wilson. Scott tagged behind three older sisters when attending their swim squad sessions in Lower Hutt (New Zealand) during the 1960s. Simple play and water discovery in cold outdoor swimming pools became his playground each week while his siblings swam their sessions. In his youth years he developed his own swimming under the coaching eyes of Mr Laing (Duncan Laing) at the Moana Pool in Dunedin (NZL). A work ethic within a squad of like minded peers Scott found success in the NZL swim scene, winning national titles and representing NZL at different levels. Although not making the grade to swim at the pinnacle world meets, Scott appreciates the life lessons competitive swimming provided. Unsure with what to do after a single year of university, with uncertainty and zero swim teaching experience, Scott moved to Canberra working with Australian swim coach Bill Robertson learning ‘the trade’ of swim coaching, swim teaching and swim school business. Burley Griffin Swim Club and the Deakin Health Spa Swim School created Scott’s passion for the swimming industry. The sight of the red and yellow team uniform of BG became recognised throughout NSW and Australia as one of the leading clubs in this era. Scott’s professional swimming pathway has now spanned 40 years embracing the scope of teacher, coach, swim school leader, swim school owner, private, council, industry presenter, mentor, program developer, single sites, multi sites, and everything in between. He has always been a learner from both within and from outside our industry. As the Teacher / Coach - how to improve, how to obtain results. As the business owner – he is a considered risk taker, a decision maker, with a strong belief in staff and customer focus to drive growth and retention. For a decade Scott held the role Head of Operations for multi-centre swim school organisations, Aquatic Achievers (Brisbane) and Carlile Swimming (Sydney) These days Scott has his own swim school business helping schools and other swimming professionals find success. “I now have a strong desire to give back to the wider industry which has been so good to me and so good for me.” To connect with Scott, jump on his website www.swimpeople.com.au. Through today’s episode Scott shares some insights into his work as well as his thoughts on swimming in Australia and where he see’s swimming moving to in the future. Please share the hidden gems you find in Scott’s interview on our Facebook page, Aquatic Mentors and you will find all his contact details listed at the end of the show notes. If you want to share your aquatic story, please contact me via my email: regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Check out our website aquaticmentors.com.au for our Season 1 Ebook. So, let’s jump in and find out more about Scott’s journey in swimming. Scott Wilson’s Contact Information: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-wilson-625615a5/ Website: www.swimpeople.com.au Email: scott@swimpeople.com.au Katrina van Eyk's Contact Information: Aquatic Mentors - https://www.aquaticmentors.com.au/ Facebook - Aquatic Mentors Regional Swim Clinics - www.regionalswimclinics.com.au Email – regionalswimclinics@outlook.com Facebook - Regional Swim Clinics Aquatic Mentors Ebook Link: https://www.regionalswimclinics.com.au/top-10-tips-for-aquatic-professionals/