Billinudgel-based indoor swim school and aquatic therapy centre, Swim For Your Life, will close its doors in December, after nine years of operation.
Swimming Instructor, Ruth Smith, says that the decision was out of her hands owing to her landlord deciding not to renew the lease.
‘This news has been devastating for me personally and the team,’ Ruth said.
‘However, I want to focus on the positives that have come out of our time in this space and the important work that will continue beyond it.’
Ms Smith says Swim For Your Life has taught over 68,500 lessons across its nine years of operation, helping over 2,000 neurotypical students, 400 neurodiverse students and 30 adults along the way.
‘While we may be small compared to larger swim schools, the impact we’ve had on the local community has been significant,’ Ruth said.
‘We have dealt with floods, Covid and sickness, but we have continued to open our doors.’
The swim school’s last trading day will be Saturday, December 7.
Looking forward
In 2023, Ruth began research in collaboration with Western Sydney University on aquatic therapy, a gentler alternative to land-based physical therapy.
Ruth’s work in aquatic therapy aids people with challenging behaviours and special needs to develop their motor skills, better follow sequence instructions and strengthen cross-lateral movement alongside improving focus, self-regulation, and coordination.
In 2022, the swim school received the National Award for Access and Inclusion, which Ruth says is a true honour for their work in the neurodiverse space.
Despite the swim school’s closure, Ruth is optimistic about her future with aquatic therapy. ‘I want Australian evidenced-based research proving the benefits of aquatic therapy for our participants,’ she said.
‘My ultimate goal is that aquatic therapy becomes part of the allied health profession.
Ruth has been invited to next year’s World Aquatic Development Conference to be held in Sweden in January.
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