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Our Story
In 1961, a small neighborhood pool in Sharpstown became the birthplace of a passion that would grow into something much bigger. Under the guidance of University of Houston head coach and U.S. Olympic coach Phill Hansel, this modest pool became a nurturing ground for young swimmers, where the focus was not only on swimming techniques but also on ensuring that every swimmer understood the importance of water safety. Hansel’s influence was pivotal, planting the seeds of a mission that would ultimately transform the community’s relationship with water and help make it a safer place for everyone.
The turning point came in 1994 when Bonnie Howe purchased the swim school from Phill Hansel. This marked the beginning of a remarkable evolution, where Bonnie, along with the help of many dedicated individuals, took the school’s mission to new heights. Bonnie's vision was clear: to provide top-quality swim lessons, focused on water safety and drowning prevention, while creating a welcoming atmosphere for families. She was committed to ensuring that every student not only learned to swim but was empowered with the skills necessary to stay safe around water. Under her guidance our swim school expanded, adding several locations across the Houston area, making it more convenient for families to access these life-saving lessons and furthering the mission of community safety.
What truly sets our swim school apart is a deep-rooted sense of community and our unwavering dedication to water safety. Upon entering any of our pools, you don’t just become a customer; you become part of a tight-knit family committed to making water safety a priority. It’s not just about learning how to swim; it’s about gaining the knowledge and confidence to prevent drowning and to help others do the same, while fostering an environment of support and fun in every lesson.
Our mission continues
While our facilities and locations have grown over the years, the mission has remained steadfast. The same dedication to teaching life-saving skills that began more than six decades ago continues to be at the core of our family-run business today. Our ongoing success is rooted in the strong connection with our families, some of whom have become lifelong and generational members, passing down the knowledge of water safety to their children and helping to ensure that the community stays safe.
The original pool at 8307 Augustine Dr. in Sharpstown, where it all started, continues to serve as a reminder of the mission that drives everything we do: to help prevent drownings and keep families safe in and around water. After more than 60 years, the legacy of that little neighborhood pool lives on. Today, as always, the goal remains to teach the life-saving skills that can make all the difference, and create lasting memories that are built on safety, education, and a lifelong love of the water.
