New British Swim School to Provide Swim Lessons to Those in Need in the Katy Area With Scholarship Program
May 29, 2024
Mother-Daughter Team Opens Doors to Inclusive Swim Program
British Swim School, the nation’s leading “learn to swim” franchise company, is growing in the west Houston metro with a new location in Katy. British Swim School of Westward Houston-Katy recently began holding swim lessons at Homewood Suites by Hilton near Katy Mills Mall and the Pin Oak Area.
The owners, a mother-daughter duo, Penny Murray and Ashley Alvear, are dedicated to providing life-saving swim lessons to people of all ages and abilities. They are truly passionate about offering lessons around diversity and inclusion. They’re partnering with the non-profit Hope Floats to offer a scholarship program. These initiatives, along with dedicated Special Abilities lessons, are particularly close to the owners’ hearts, ensuring that financial barriers, and generational stigma do not prevent anyone from learning life-saving skills.
“Our partnership with Hope Floats allows us to reach even more families, making sure all children have the chance to learn how to enjoy the water safely,” said Murray. “This is a passion project for us. We’re combining our love for swimming with a desire to impact our community positively.”
Alvear brings her personal experience as a mother of five to the forefront of their location’s mission. Her children each took to water differently, with her youngest being fearful. With swim lessons, he now knows how to swim and can enjoy the water.
“Understanding that everyone learns differently, especially when it comes to water safety, has shaped our approach. Our goal is to provide personalized instruction that addresses each student’s unique needs,” Alvear stated. She highlighted that in pursuit of this objective, they will be introducing special abilities lessons, as well as dedicated adult lessons. "By offering these targeted programs alongside our regular curriculum, we aim to ensure a supportive and inclusive environment where every participant can acquire vital water safety skills effectively."
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, 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.
British Swim School of Westward Houston-Katy offers swim lessons at Homewood Suites by Hilton located at 25495 Katy Mills Parkway, Katy, TX, 77494. Swim lessons are:
- Tuesdays: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
- Fridays: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Sundays: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the dynamic duo of Penny and Ashley aboard our British Swim School franchise family and continue our expansion in Southern Texas,” said Ashley Gundlach, President of British Swim School. “They are both dedicated to their community and helping save lives one lesson at a time. We look forward to watching their presence grow and connect with families in the community.”
For more information about British Swim School of Westward Houston-Katy, https://britishswimschool.com/westward-houston-katy/.
To learn more about the benefits of British Swim School’s franchising opportunities, visit www.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 Schools 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.