British Swim School Brings Much Needed Service to Westchester

The Nation’s Premier, “Learn to Swim” Franchise Opens New Location in August

British Swim School, the nation’s leading “learn to swim” franchise company, continues making waves across North America with the opening of its newest franchise location in Westchester County. British Swim School of South Westchester is owned and operated by first-time franchisee Yen Song. Lessons will be offered five days a week and take place at the 24 Hour Fitness at 887 Pelham Parkway, Pelham Manor, NY.

Yen found a serendipitous path to British Swim School. Her husband was a coworker of another British Swim School franchise owner, Ken Klose operating out of Naples, Florida. Looking for business opportunities, Ken encouraged Song to look into the swim franchise. As a mother of two young children, Yen is passionate about teaching both her kids the value of water safety and spreading that knowledge to others, and also recognized a need for accessible swim lessons right in her community.

“The most important piece for me was the brand’s mission of survival and teaching swim survival skills to kids,” Yen explained. “I want those skills for my own children, and so British Swim School cemented what I was looking for in a business. Not only did it allow me to start a venture that could be successful, but it also helps an underserved community, and that’s very gratifying.”

For more than 40 years, British Swim School has been dedicated to teaching water survival skills by teaching infants, children and adults of all ages the skills needed for water acclimation, water survival, and stroke development. Its mission — ensure that every person, regardless of age or ability, has the opportunity to become a safe and happy swimmer.

Across the nation, eleven people die every day from unintentional drownings, with nearly 4,000 deaths occurring each year. Research shows that participation in formal swim programs, such as those offered by British Swim School, can reduce the risk of drowning by 88% among children who are most at risk for deaths caused by drowning. However, the risk of drowning isn’t limited to children: a Red Cross survey found that more than half of all Americans (54%) either can’t swim or don’t have the basic swimming skills needed to save themselves in the event of a water emergency.

“As a mother of young children, Yen appreciates the value of proper swim safety knowledge at a young age,” said Ashley Gundlach, President of British Swim School. “The fact that she was looking to become a business owner created a perfect situation where she could practice what she believes in and help other children in her community. We’re excited for Yen and know she’ll do wonderful things for Westchester and surrounding communities.”

For more information about British Swim School, visit www.britishswimschool.com/south-westchester/.

To learn more about the benefits of British Swim School’s franchising opportunities, click here.