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Our Approach

Our aim and objective is to develop aquatic awareness and confidence in the water. We focus on improving stroke technique and water skills for all ages. All lessons are delivered by a qualified AUSTSWIM instructor.

B & M

Our Story

The Ford Swim Centre officially opened its doors on Wednesday 17th July, 2017, however the foundations of the business commenced back in 1993 when Michelle and Brian Ford opened up  a 2 lane 17 metre indoor pool on their residential property in Traralgon and ran the Poolside Swim School. After 2 decades of successfully operating this “backyard business”, the Ford’s decided to expand the opportunities available for children to learn to swim by planning the development of their Swim Centre ultimately built on the grounds of St Paul’s Anglican Grammar School in Traralgon.

The Ford name in Gippsland is synonymous with swimming from learn to swim to elite performance competition and Michelle and Brian are proud that they have provided a facility which complements and enhances the aquatic skills of the local community.

The Centre today is now home to many of the local families learn to swim needs, both with child and adult private lessons; many of the local schools run their aquatic program with us and the Traralgon Swimming Club (the most successful Country club over the past 20 years) use the facility every day for their squads and Masters program.

Michelle and Brian Ford together with their experienced team of 20 staff look forward to servicing the Gippsland community with its aquatic needs for many years to come.

Meet our Management Team

Our team is passionate about providing excellence in learn to swim. We pride ourselves on giving children the best opportunity to learn water safety and develop their aquatic skills. All staff are qualified AUSTSWIM instructors with their CPR certificate and Working with Children's Check.

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Michelle Ford

Founder & Owner

Michelle Ford is one of the pre-eminent learn to swim instructors in Australia. With over 40 years in teaching, running her own swim school for nearly 30 years and having instructed thousands of children in her time (many who have gone on to podium success at National level) her dedication to the teaching of children to swim is second to none. She is the driving force behind the structure, program and success of the Ford Swim Centre and is constantly updating her skills and strategies together with those of our teachers to provide the best aquatic experience for our swimming families.

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Cam Juha

Owner & Administration Manager

Cam Juha has a history in swimming going back to 7 years of age as a Traralgon Swimming Club competitor right through to the present, a coach with the Club for the past 10 years and now a part owner in the business venture of the Ford Swim Centre. With his wealth of swimming knowledge and administration expertise from working in local government for 5 years he has many of the operational and administrative tasks in hand ranging from managing our schools program, sustainability of our pool, plant room and equipment and business development activities.

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Brian Ford

Founder & Owner

Brian Ford has been involved in swimming for  well over 50 years as a competitor, coach and now learn swim operator. As Senior Head Coach of the Traralgon Swimming Club, the most successful Country Club for over 20 years, he always has his eye open for those children who want to make swimming one of their chosen sports. Having worked very much in the background during the early years of the program he continues to ensure the business operates in a professional manner with its staff, clients and product.

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Renee Cargill

Learn to Swim Coordinator

Renee Cargill has been with the Centre for over 7 years quickly fast tracking her teaching and administration skills to accommodate the ever growing aquatic needs of our clients. She is the mother of 3 children all of who went through the Swim Centre program and are National level swimmers. Renee is also the Junior Development Coach for the Traralgon Swimming Club. As a result she has a thorough understanding of the teaching requirements right through from parent – baby to squad swimming.