NEWS RELEASE
BRITISH SWIM SCHOOL
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British Swim School, the North American leader of “learn to swim” franchise programs, is pleased to announce the opening of a new franchise location in Barrie at LA Fitness Barrie on Live Eight Way [at Park Place].
Franchise owners Huma Baqer and Naveed Baqer are excited to open their first location with the British Swim School family to spread awareness about the importance of swim safety and offer a safe and convenient location for Barrie residents to learn how to swim.
Barrie, being a waterfront community with beaches, has an increased risk of drowning incidents. The couple was deeply moved by a tragic event in Cobourg, Ont., which highlighted the urgency of water safety, and are now committed to preventing such tragedies through British Swim School’s survival-first approach and programs.
The new location opened on Nov. 14, 2023.
“British Swim School is not just a business for us; it's a mission to save lives and create a water-safe, vibrant community,” said Huma Baqer and Naveed Baqer, owners of British Swim School of Greater Barrie. “As parents, it is important to us that other children and families learn survival and lifesaving skills in the water. British Swim School’s effective instructional programs resonate with us, and we are excited to introduce our new pool location to the Barrie community.”
The new location is conveniently located at LA Fitness Barrie on Live Eight Way where the team is ready to teach life-saving swimming skills to children (and adults!) in a fun and safe environment taught by trained swimming instructors – something owners Huma and Naveed are passionate about.
Huma and Naveed are working to ensure that every child in the community can safely enjoy the water and that families can embrace a more water-confident future.
Their decision to open a British Swim School franchise in Barrie was driven by a recognition of the town's growth and a need for accessible swim education.
Huma, with over 15 years of experience in human resources, worked in the hospitality industry. Her passion for people led her on a journey from being apprehensive about water to understanding the importance of swimming.
Naveed, a technology lead in finance at one of the country's top financial institutions, has over 25 years of experience in the tech industry. His love for sports, particularly cricket, and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle made him eager to engage with a business that connects with people.
They both share a strong belief in giving back to the community, evident through their extensive volunteer work.
"Huma and Naveed are fantastic additions to the British Swim School family, and we congratulate them on their first franchise location in Barrie,” said Ashley Gundlach, British Swim School president. “They are passionate about swim safety, share our corporate values, and believe in our mission-driven concept to teach children water survival skills and help reduce the number of accidental drownings. We are excited about Huma and Naved’s first pool location and wish them great success.”
British Swim School offers a three-part curriculum teaching children, as young as three months and adults of all ages water acclimation, safety and survival skills, and swim stroke development. While parental supervision remains the foremost safety measure, research shows that participating in formal swim programs, such as those offered by British Swim School, can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 per cent among children who are most at risk for deaths caused by drowning.
For more information about British Swim School at LA Fitness Barrie and lesson times, visit the website.
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