There’s a core concept that Brave Waves Swim School in Brantford was founded on: Everyone is worthy of knowing how to swim.
That’s been the cornerstone of the business since sisters Julia and Jessica Surette founded it back in 2011.
“We have family members who are on the autism spectrum. They were actually the reason why we started (giving) lessons, because they were struggling to receive lessons where they were living; it was hard for them to get access because of their neurodiversity,” said Julia Surette. “So when we started, it was very much one-on-one lessons, and the community really loved that … That's why we still offer an adapted program, because it's a core part of who we are as Brave Waves.”
Brave Waves moved into its new home at 1070 Rest Acres Road, Brant County in June 2024.
Surette noted that the facility is “completely accessible. We've got the accessible washroom; we have barrier-free entrances to the water, which includes our accessible chair. It's completely designed to be able to cater to anybody who may have mobility issues. … We wanted to make sure that this was an accessible place for people to partake in swimming lessons at any age.”
She estimated that about 10 per cent of the children who attend the swim school are enrolled in the adaptive program, adding, “Not every child with a neurodiversity goes into our adapted program. Because our beginner lessons are semi-private, we are able to cater to students who may have a neurodiversity, but they're able to go through the traditional program because the lessons are small in size. … and they’re able to thrive there."
Considering how well received the adaptive program has been in the community, Surette said they would love to expand it. However, that’s something easier said than done at the moment, because it would require additional staff with a specialized skill set.
“We're looking for people who have the experience of working with children with neurodiversity who have a swim background as well,” she said. “Trying to find a person who has an aquatics background with the ability to work with students with special needs, it's a very niche person that we’re looking for.”
She said if anyone fits that criteria, they’re welcome to reach out to Brave Waves.
“We would love to chat about how we can explore adding more to our adaptive program.”
Prioritizing the adaptive program isn’t the only way the Surettes have served their community. Recently, they approached their staff and asked them to choose a local not-for-profit that they wanted to contribute to.
“We asked them, who is near and dear to your heart, and what programs are within our community that you are passionate about and want to give back to?” Surette said. “We presented quite a few (options) and Lansdowne was considered one of the most important organizations to donate to.”
So, Brave Waves as a business ended up presenting $500 to Lansdowne Children’s Centre Foundation. Surette said that while staff chose where the donation went, they weren’t asked to financially contribute to it at all.
“We said, ‘You coming to work and doing your best and providing wonderful lessons that allow the business to thrive and have more and more students join us is reason enough that we as a team can give to different organizations,’” she explained.
Surette added that because the staff believe in the business’ core concept – that everyone is worthy of knowing how to swim – they also appreciate “being able to donate to a community organization that prioritizes children being able to have access to different programming and just allowing kids to be kids regardless of what would be considered limitations.”
Because ultimately, that’s why they work where they do, Surette said.
“We are very kid-centric; we love kids.”
For more information on Brave Waves Swim School, the programming it offers, etc., visit bravewavesswim.com.
ABOUT LANSDOWNE CHILDREN’S CENTRE
Lansdowne Children's Centre is a highly accredited children's treatment centre (CTC) and SmartStart Hub, connecting caregivers with resources, services and supports for infants,
children, and youth with physical, communication, and/or developmental needs. Supporting nearly 4,000 unique children and families annually, Lansdowne works with child and youth clients and their families at centres in Brantford, Caledonia, Dunnville and Simcoe, and in a variety of community settings such as homes, schools, childcares, early learning environments, and camps, as well as through virtual means using streaming video.
Learn more at www.lansdownecentre.ca
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