About Us

Laurie Lawrence Swim School

Laurie Lawrence Swim School was established in Queensland in 1966 and is a family owned & operated swim school. The Swim School has produced many State, National, Commonwealth, World and Olympic champions.

Laurie has personally taught children to swim who progressed through junior and senior squads and coached them to medals at the Olympic Games. This is a unique feat in International swimming and has made Laurie Lawrence Swim School a world leader in quality swim teaching programs. Laurie’s learn to swim and coaching programs are internationally recognised.

The legacy and the program continues to deliver outstanding performances in the next generation of Australian swimmers. Our centres are currently training regional, stage and national champions.

Laurie has a love of infant aquatics. He is passionate in his mission to educate parents and swimmers in and out of the pool about water safety and swimming skills. 

Laurie Lawrence Swim School teaches children of all ages and abilities to love and be safe in the water, recognise its health benefits, give them a relaxed natural stroke to last a lifetime as well as the swimming skills needed to compete at the highest level of competition if they so desire.

World Leader

Laurie Lawrence Swim School is a world leader in swimming. Our program has been developed over 50 years and incorporates swimmers social, emotional and physical growth and development into the swimming lessons.

We follow gentle learn to swim methods that recognise the swimmer’s physical capabilities and readiness to perform aquatic skills. We do not use force, fear or intimidation in our teaching practices and believe that swimming should be a happy, fun and supportive experience.

Our Staff

All staff hold industry specific professional qualifications. Our staff are trained in Laurie’s teaching methods to ensure the highest quality of teaching. Each centre holds relevant national qualifications with Austswim, Swim Australia & The Australian Swim Schools Association, ensuring we are compliant and supported by all industry governing bodies 

Staff are required to keep qualifications up to date and must attend regular staff training sessions provided by industry professionals and our own Head of Training and Curriculum. We offer varied training opportunities to allow education and understanding for many different learning types and offer online, individual and group sessions. We believe in constant upskilling and improvement and provide regular feedback and support for all members of our staff.

Our Facilities


Pool design and the aquatic environment are crucial in the Learn to Swim process. All pools have access to shallow ledges for important skill acquisition. We also use a variety of equipment such as teaching mats, kickboards, pullbuoys, noodles and toys. 

Laurie Lawrence Swim School does not use teaching aids such as floaties or bubbles.  We prefer to let the swimmer achieve their own individual buoyancy while learning floatation skills. 

Our water is heated year round to achieve maximum comfort for parent and child. We utilise a variety of water depths to expose swimmers to different water experiences. Change rooms are equipped with warm rinse showers and heaters for the cooler months.

About Laurie Lawrence


Laurie is Internationally regarded as an authority in Learn to Swim and Coaching. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1991 and received and Australian Sports Medal in 2000.

He has been recognised by The International Swimming Hall of Fame twice in his career.  He was inducted into the Hall of Fame for coaching in 1996 and received the coveted Gold Medallion Award for his efforts in all aspects of the aquatics industry in 2017. Laurie participated in 8 Olympic Games and continues to spend time with current Olympic coaches and athletes in their bid for Olympic Glory.

Laurie continually attends and presents at conferences both nationally and internationally.  He is an authority of knowledge on all aspects of the industry from Infant Aquatics through to Elite Coaching.  Laurie’s Keynote presentations are highly sought after not only in the Aquatics industry but also in the corporate world.  He has a unique way of capturing attention and inspiring everyday people to become the best version of themselves. 

Laurie was also an athlete in his own right representing the state of Queensland for cricket.  He was also a member of the Australian Rugby Union Team “The Wallabies” and toured New Zealand in 1964.

In 1998 Laurie launched a drowning prevention program that has evolved into the Kids Alive brand. Laurie and daughter Emma work tirelessly on this community service initiative – offering education, resources and support to Learn to Swim facilities, Early Learning Centres, parents, swim teachers and the wider community. 

Our Locations


Banora Point

Details

Address: Corner of Greenway and Leisure Drive, Banora Point NSW 2486

Phone: (07) 55 233 177

Features

  • Indoor heated 20 m pool
  • Operated year round
  • Ozone water treatment and filtration provided by Brauer Swim
  • Babies
  • Learn to Swim
  • Stroke development & Squad Swimming
  • Adapted Aquatics
  • Adult learn to swim & fitness
  • Sibling lessons
  • Public Swimming
  • School programs
  • Holiday programs
  • Race nights
  • Specialised swim clinics
  • Daycare and Kindergarten Programs
  • Free public swim for enrolled clients *please check available times
  • Private physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology sessions

Burleigh Heads

Details

Address: 6 Flagstone Drive, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220

Phone: 0449 209 727

Features

  • Outdoor heated 25 m pool
  • Indoor 10m heated teaching pool
  • Operated all year round
  • Ozone water treatment and filtration provided by https://brauerswim.com/
  • Indoor heated 20 m pool
  • Babies
  • Learn to Swim
  • Stroke development & Squad Swimming
  • Adapted Aquatics
  • Sensory Swim
  • Social Swimming
  • Adult learn to swim & fitness
  • Sibling lessons
  • Public swimming
  • Small heated pool play area
  • Swim Club – recreational and competitive streams
  • School progams
  • Race nights
  • Holiday programs
  • Specialised swim clinics
  • Daycare and Kindergarten Programs
  • Free public swim for enrolled clients *please check available times
  • Private physiotherapy and Exercise Physiology sessions
  • Pool hire available on request
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