A swim school built for our community
The story of Splash Buddies. How it started, why it's here, and the team behind every lesson.
Swim. Play. Learn. Buddies.
Four words that shape how lessons run, what they feel like, and why children come back every week.
Swim.
What we doWe teach children how to swim. Traditional swimming skills are at the core of every lesson, from the first time in the water to the final stage of our program.
Play.
How we do itChildren learn faster and remember more when lessons are enjoyable. Our classes are structured because water demands structure, and they have a playful feel throughout.
Learn.
Shared with the childEvery buddy has input into their own learning. Lessons follow the curriculum, and teachers weave in what each child is curious to explore in the water.
Buddies.
Better togetherChildren enjoy lessons more when they are doing it alongside a friend. Friendships are built in the water, no buddy required to start.
How Splash Buddies started
Splash Buddies was founded by Rynelle, who grew up in Gisborne and has lived locally her whole life. Teaching swimming has been part of her working life since she was 17.
Rynelle became a swim teacher at the Brunswick City Baths with the YMCA, and over the years moved into management roles across centres in Ascot Vale, Northcote, Carlton, and Kensington while studying for a Bachelor of Business in Sports Management.
Along the way she kept coming back to the same idea. A private, dedicated swim school could give local families a better experience than what was available. And she wanted to build that in the town where she grew up, for the children of her own community.
"What I love most isn't a particular class or level. It's the relationships with the kids and their families, and being part of the journey with them."
— Rynelle Mills
Built here, for the kids of her own community
The people behind Splash Buddies
The management team who look after the centre, the curriculum, and every family that walks through the door.
Rynelle
Rynelle founded Splash Buddies in 2018 and has been teaching swimming since she was 17. Local to Gisborne, mum of three, and happiest when she is by the water, at the beach, or in the swim school her community helped build.
Lisa
Ros
Ros
Want to see who is teaching your child's class? Our full teaching team is visible in the iClassPro portal.
From a sketch to a purpose-built swim school
Splash Buddies started on a piece of paper and grew across three homes before finding a purpose-built one.
A drawing on a piece of paper
Splash Buddies started as a warehouse design concept, years before the first lesson was taught.
An opportunity with a private pool
The right space came up at the right time, and the plan started to become real.
Splash Buddies opened its doors
The first lessons were taught out of a private pool, and the Splash Buddies community began to grow.
Moved to Lock Road in Gisborne South
Splash Buddies took over the old Gisborne South Swim Centre and operated from there for four years.
Closed the Lock Road centre
The search for a permanent home was on, with a specific vision of what a purpose-built swim school should feel like.
Pioneer Way opened in New Gisborne
The current facility opened with a 25 metre pool and an 8 metre Learn to Swim pool, heated year-round and built specifically for teaching children to swim.
Purpose-built private swim school in the region
Why we built it from scratch
The move to Pioneer Way wasn’t about more space — it was about creating a consistent, dependable experience. In previous venues, heating could be unreliable, which sometimes meant classes couldn’t run on colder days. We know how much children look forward to their lessons, and how carefully families plan their weeks, so having a reliable environment was essential.
A purpose-built centre means reliable heating, consistent water temperatures, and the standards needed to teach children properly year round. It also makes Splash Buddies the first purpose-built, privately owned and operated swim school in the Macedon Ranges.
Reliable year-round heating
No cold-day cancellations. Every scheduled lesson runs.
Built for swimmers, not adapted
Every part of the centre was designed around how children learn to swim.
Privately owned and run
Every decision about the centre is made with the swim school in mind.
Two heated pools, built for teaching
Both pools have teaching platforms, so every buddy can touch the bottom, regardless of height.