Your 2026 Professional Development Starts Here

The Exchange: insights for swim people

The Exchange is locked in and launching this March. If you’re part of the swim school community, this is one to get excited about.

The Exchange webinar series brings together practical, relevant professional development for swim teachers, leaders, and swim school operators across Aotearoa and beyond.

Throughout the series, you’ll hear from an inspiring mix of New Zealand and international speakers on topics that matter from swim teaching and programme delivery to leadership, growth, and the day-to-day realities of running a swim school.

Big school or small. City-based or rural. New to the industry or decades deep.

This series is for you: fully open - no memberships, no affiliations, no conditions.

Why You’ll Want to Be There

This series is about energising and strengthening the swim school sector. Each session is designed to help you:

  • Build confidence and capability in your role

  • Gain fresh insights into best practice and emerging thinking

  • Walk away with ideas you can actually use. . . straight away

For years, swim school professionals across Aotearoa have looked for professional development that’s accessible, relevant, and grounded in real swim school life. This series exists because of that call. . . PD matters.

I’ve invited respected colleagues and sector experts to generously share their knowledge, experience, and perspectives with the New Zealand swim school community . . .  our community.

How to Get Involved: access is easy. Email your interest and you’ll receive the unique link for each live webinar.

Cost: Nothing. Every session is free. Each presenter, like me, is giving their time to give back to the industry that has shaped us.

Who Can Attend? anyone involved in swim schools, swim clubs, or swim programmes — from brand-new swim teachers to highly experienced professionals and leaders.

Save the dates. Spread the word: this is professional development made for swim schools. . . first session March 25th.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out via the contact button below.

Wednesday March 25th

1-2pm NZ

Laura McNab

Contact Swim People

Why a Child Is Not Progressing: Understanding the Body Behind the Swim.

Laura is an Australian Occupational Therapist with over 14 years’ experience in the swimming industry, drawing on backgrounds in competitive swimming, coaching, and paediatrics.

In this session, Laura explores how sensory processing, motor planning, reflex integration, and emotional regulation influence swim readiness and progression. She translates neuroscience into practical, swim-school-friendly strategies that teachers and leaders can apply immediately.

Laura is the founder of Fleur OT and RISE Beyond, and the creator of the widely used RISE Framework, supporting safer, more confident swimmer progress