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 a site in Subiaco. 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.
At Waterwise Swim School, we’re more than just a school; we’re a community. We’re guided by two Directors, one manager, and an amazing team of swimming instructors who are dedicated to making every swimmer’s journey a safe and enjoyable one.
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, one manager, 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.
Michael Palfery (Director)
Michael’s love of swimming started at ten years of age and has provided him with immense pleasure over the years. He hopes to instil his enthusiasm and deep love of swimming across all Waterwise sites and is acutely aware that each child progresses at their own pace. Michael is well regarded in elite swimming circles – having represented Australia for 6 years and winning a silver and bronze medal in the 2002 IPC Swimming World Championships. Following his success as a swimmer, Michael pursued a role as Swimming Coach at St Peters Western over a period of 10 years. During this time St Peters Western grew and became known as one of the top swimming programs in the country. In 2012 Michael commenced employment with the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) as Head Coach where he produced the best outcome in most Olympic medals at any Olympic Games for Western Australian athletes – a total of 6 medals at the Tokyo 2021 Olympiad. Michael now works as Head Coach at the University of the Sunshine Coast where he is preparing his athletes for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Through Waterwise, Michael aims to improve every child’s swimming and water safety skills to ensure that all children who leave primary school are able to meet the minimum National Swimming and Water Safety Benchmarks.
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.
Jemima Horwood (Manager)
Jemima is the Manager of Waterwise Swimming and passionate about water safety and drowning prevention. Jemima has a strong swimming background, having previously represented Australia at the Junior World Championships and spent many years training with the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS). Jemima is currently finishing her Bachelor of Exercise and Health qualifications and believes in the potential of all children. She is committed to impacting the positive growth and development of young people into safe, happy, confident swimmers.
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, ASCTA & Royal Life Saving, SWIM Coaches and Teachers (SAT) Australia), and a valid working with children (WWC) check.
Do you want to learn more about our highly qualified swim instructors?
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.