Welcome to Waterwise Swim School

Where Safety, Fun, and Excellence Meet!

Our Journey

Our journey is about growth, not just in size or locations, but also in the number of confident and competent swimmers we create.
Waterwise Swim School started in the summer break of 2012/2013 when our founder, Stacy Gower, had a vision of getting little swimmers safe faster than traditional lessons could. With its first Perth swimming school in Willetton opened and thriving by 2017, Waterwise Swim School went on to open a second Perth swimming school in Canning Vale, which is following in Willetton’s footsteps as a bustling hub for swimming lessons in Perth’s southern suburbs.

Waterwise has now expanded to sites at Wembley, Subiaco and Mosman Park. No matter what the location, at Waterwise we remain 100% committed to drowning prevention, which is a philosophy that underpins all our swim programs in Perth.

Our Team

At Waterwise Swim School, we’re more than just a destination for swimming lessons; we’re a community. We’re guided by two Directors, several passionate managers and an amazing team of swimming instructors who are dedicated to making every swimmer’s journey a safe and enjoyable one. Our swim instructors are passionate, friendly, and have a genuine love for teaching swimming.

Rob Palfery (Director)

Rob has been coaching swimming for 15 years. He brings a wealth of knowledge and is extremely passionate about the sport of swimming. Rob has coached swimming extensively at various levels, from junior swimmers all the way through to Age Group Swimmers and Open level. He has had numerous swimmers on Junior Australian Representative teams, as well as compete and medal at a National level. Rob is a member of the Australian Flippers Coaching Group and won the Swimming WA Award for ‘Age Group Coach of the Year’ in 2022. Rob is driven by his commitment to see every child learn to swim in a safe environment and provide them with the necessary skills to enjoy swimming as a lifelong sport.

Our Instructors

Not only are our team of Perth swimming instructors’ bubbly, fun, great with kids of all ages, and truly passionate about water safety, we have strict qualifications and requirements to be met. Each swimming instructor has a current CPR Certificate, an endorsed and accredited Swimming Instructor qualification (including AUSTSWIM, SWIM Coaches and Teachers (SAT) Australia & Royal Life Saving), and a valid Working with Children (WWC) Check.

Do you want to learn more about our highly qualified swim instructors?

Our Qualifications

Get to Know Waterwise Swim School

Safety-First Swimming Lessons

At Waterwise Swim School, safety is paramount. We are dedicated to preventing drownings in Western Australia, particularly among children. Our experienced team is committed to ensuring that every swimmer, from babies to adults, not only becomes a better swimmer but a safer one armed with survival skills.

Flexible Lessons to Fit Your Life

Life can be unpredictable, so we offer flexible lessons to accommodate your busy schedule. Plus, we provide makeup lessons to ensure your child receives the full benefit of our top-notch instruction.

Family-Friendly Discounts

Keeping your family safe and happy in the water is crucial. That’s why we offer a 5% discount for the second child and a 10% discount for the third child in the same family. The more a child swims, the quicker they become safer, so get a 10% discount for enrolling in additional weekly sessions.

A Safe, Fun, and Friendly Environment

We’ve created a welcoming atmosphere where every swimmer feels safe and at ease. Our team is not only well-educated and professional but also friendly, caring, and understanding. We’re here to nurture your child’s love for swimming and ensure they grow into strong, confident swimmers.

Making Friends While Swimming Safe

Waterwise Swim School is about more than just learning to swim; it’s about making lifelong friends, staying safe in and around the water, and having a ton of fun while doing it. Our team is committed to instilling strong technique, confidence, and a deep love for the water in each and every swimmer. We believe that learning to swim is a life-saving skill and a gateway to a healthier, happier life.

Catherine Carter, Mother of Sofia

After a bad experience, we arrived with a terrified 3 year old, who struggled with just getting into the pool, and had never floated on her back. Within 2 weeks, she was floating unassisted on her back. Within 4 weeks she was rolling from the float position and swimming herself to the wall. AMAZING. Psychologically, it was a massive challenge for our daughter, but the instructor was *very* understanding, and broke it down into small steps, just one day at a time, and always set her tasks she could achieve. Her confidence has grown and although she still has a little way to go, she has come so far and is now coping so well in the regular Learn to Swim program.

Viljoen, Mother of 2 year-old Callyn

Callyn started survival swimming lessons just 6 weeks ago. He has never had swimming lessons before and, thanks to our instructor, in just a few short weeks he has learned breath control, swimming and floating.

He loves swimming and now his first instinct when he gets in the water is not to panic and drown, but to kick his legs when he is face down and swim to the surface, then turn himself face up to float.

Best decision I have made for him. He is now a confident little swimmer who knows how to save himself - it makes enjoying the outdoors so much safer and much more fun.

Eu Lynn, Mother of 3Year-Old Olivia

Olivia has come a long way since day 1 of swimming. Before we started lessons, she was so fearful of having water running over her face and it made bath time especially difficult. Stacy was great at warming Olivia up in the water and soon she was happily going under water, blowing bubbles, floating, kicking and doing short swim laps. With each lesson, I can tell that Olivia Is determined be a better swimmer under the guidance of the swim instructor. We can’t wait for Joshua to join the class in the coming terms.