British Swim School Expands in the Westside and South Bay of Los Angeles Metro

Local Entrepreneur Increasing Access to Life-Saving Lessons in the El Segundo, Hawthorne Area

British Swim School, the nation’s leading “learn to swim” franchise company, is making waves in the Los Angeles metro area with its newest location. British Swim School of Westside Los Angeles-Hawthorne began offering swim lessons this month. Chris Angelli, the owner and local mom, has a personal connection to the mission of swim safety that fuels her passion for spreading these essential skills.

Angelli understands the extreme importance of teaching kids how not only to swim but also to use survival skills in the water. When her son was just 11 years old, he got caught in a rip tide and had to be rescued by the lifeguards.

“That moment is a stark reminder of the ocean’s power and the critical need for proper swim lessons,” said Angelli. "Swimming is more than just a fun activity; it’s a life-saving skill everyone should have. Knowing the techniques of how to escape a water emergency is vital.”

After a successful career in tech and media, Angelli looks forward to making a difference in the community she’s called home for more than 35 years. She’s been a swimmer her entire life, most recently taking up ocean swimming year-round.

“With our beautiful weather and proximity to water, it’s essential that we equip our community, especially our kids, with the ability to swim safely," said Angelli.

For over 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, and the problem is on the rise. A recent CDC study reported more than 4,500 drowning deaths occurred between 2020 and 2022, which is 500 more than occurred in 2019, prompting a call for more swimming and water safety training opportunities. 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.

British Swim School of Westside Los Angeles-Hawthorne offers swim lessons at Embassy Suites on E. Imperial Avenue in El Segundo. Lessons will run from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. A second location will open in June at Hampton Inn & Suites off N. Pacific Coast Highway in El Segundo. Lessons will be on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays there.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Chris aboard our British Swim School franchise family and continue our expansion in Southern California,” said Ashley Gundlach, President of British Swim School. “She embodies the spirit and dedication that British Swim School is built on. We look forward to watching her presence grow and impact more families in the community.”

For more information about British Swim School Westside Los Angeles-Hawthorne, visit britishswimschool.com/westside-los-angeles-hawthorne/.

To learn more about the benefits of British Swim School’s franchising opportunities, visit britishswimschoolfranchise.com.

About British Swim School 

British Swim School, the nation’s most established swim school franchise, with over 40 years in business, believes that every individual, regardless of age or ability, should have the opportunity to become a safe and happy swimmer. Offering lessons for babies, children, and adults, the brand is dedicated to its mantra, “Survival of the Littlest,” focusing first on the survival skills needed to survive a water accident, then moving on to stroke development and more advanced skills. Not only does British Swim School give peace of mind to countless families who seek the essential life skills the brand offers their children but the purpose-driven franchise also offers an exceptional opportunity for entrepreneurs who seek a fulfilling business venture with a sound foundation, low investment, and easily scalable model. Part of the Buzz Franchise Brands family, British Swim School currently operates over 350 schools across the United States and Canada.

For more information about British Swim School, visit www.britishswimschool.com.