As World Drowning Prevention Day approaches on 25 July, Smithton Wellbeing Indoor Recreation and Leisure Centre (SWIRL) Swim Teacher Karen Fisher is celebrating 40 years of helping north-west Tasmanians build confidence, learn lifesaving skills and stay safe in and around water.
A mum of three with eight grandchildren, Karen knows the importance of vital water safety skills. She has delivered thousands of lessons, helping them to learn to swim and survive: from babies experiencing water for the first time to adults overcoming lifelong fears.
Pictured: Karen Fisher, Swim Teacher at Smithton Wellbeing Indoor Recreation and Leisure Centre
A lifelong connection to the water
Karen’s journey in aquatics began long before she became a swim teacher.
A competitive swimmer throughout her teenage years, at 14 Karen completed a Bronze Medallion course (the core qualification for surf and pool lifeguarding in Australia) and quickly discovered a passion for helping others feel safe and confident in the water.
“One of my first roles involved managing a hydrotherapy pool, where I taught swimming and supported hydrotherapy sessions. It was there, 40 years ago, that I completed my swim teacher training,” she said.
Teaching water safety across Australia
After managing a pool and spending many years coordinating and supervising water-based activities in a role as a youth worker in Tasmania, Karen’s passion for swimming and water safety took her and her family to Vietnam and then around Australia, on a three-year working holiday where she supervised water activities at various campsites.
Back home in north-west Tasmania, when the local community was without a pool for three years, Karen continued delivering lessons through portable pools established at local primary schools, ensuring children could still access these important skills.
Since joining Belgravia Leisure seven years ago, Karen has worked as a Lifeguard and in her current role as a Swim Teacher, has taught GOswim infant and school swimming programs, inclusive adult lessons and led Aqua Fitness classes for all ages and abilities.
Water safety remains the priority
Karen believes one of the most important developments throughout her career has been the renewed focus on survival skills and water safety education.
“One of the biggest challenges I have seen has been the shift away from teaching essential survival skills before introducing competitive swimming strokes: water safety should always come first,” Karen continued.
She said programs like Swimming Australia’s GOswim program, delivered at over 90 Australian Belgravia Leisure venues and New Zealand’s Swim Tangaroa program strengthen swimming ability and water safety knowledge, in addition to initiatives such as Float to Survive which focuses on dedicated survival skill development.
“It’s encouraging to see these important skills being reinforced alongside swimming ability,” she added.
Looking ahead
After a 40 year career in aquatics, Karen remains passionate about helping people connect with the water safely and confidently.
From delivering water awareness classes to teaching school students and supporting older adults in Aqua Fitness programs, she continues to play an important role in improving health, wellbeing and water safety outcomes across her community.
“Hopefully I’ll still have the fitness and ability to keep doing what I love for years to come,” Karen said.
Key facts:
- Karen Fisher, Swim Teacher
- Venue: Smithton Wellbeing Indoor Recreation and Leisure Centre (SWIRL)
- Location: Smithton, north-west Tasmania
- Milestone: 40 years in aquatics and swim teaching
- Community impact: Has delivered thousands of swimming lessons to infants, children and adults
- Special focus: Water safety education, survival skills and swimming confidence
- Programs taught: GOswim infant and school swimming programs, adult learn-to-swim lessons and Aqua Fitness classes
- Occasion: World Drowning Prevention Day (25 July)
To learn more about SWIRL, visit the website.
