Swimming Business – The Trend of Swimming

2025-01-08
Swimming Business – The Trend of Swimming

The popularity of swimming in Poland is now a fact. There are countless ideas for providing services to water enthusiasts—it all depends on creativity, skills, and understanding customer needs. We talk to Sonia Bochyńska-Knapik, founder of Academy of Hasten swimming school and the YouTube channel Pływacki Biznes.

Can We Say That a Swimming Business Exists in Poland?

Perhaps we should start by defining what we mean by "business", as in our industry, this term is sometimes stigmatized and often associated solely with making money. However, "business" is a broad term that refers to a wide range of economic activities, ventures, and operations. The primary goal of a business is to generate profit by providing value to customers in exchange for money. However, businesses can also have social objectives, such as improving the quality of life in local communities, protecting the environment, or promoting sustainable development.

Swimming Is More Than Just a Business

Looking at this statement alongside statistics from the Central Statistical Office (GUS), which indicate that swimming is one of the three most popular sports in Poland, I believe we can indeed say that there is a "swimming business" in Poland. The high occupancy rates of swimming pools, often operating at full capacity, suggest the presence of a profitable and growing market. This is particularly evident in Warsaw, where nearly every pool is filled to its limits, highlighting the need for more facilities. However, this popularity is a positive development.

Expanding swimming infrastructure and access to training is essential for building a strong foundation for the sport in Poland. More importantly, swimming promotes better health, fitness, and personal safety. You never know when swimming skills might save your life, especially in a country with numerous rivers and lakes. Therefore, investing in swimming development benefits not just sports but society as a whole.

Additionally, increasing demand has fueled healthy competition among swim schools and trainers, leading to a shift in how lessons are organized. There is a growing focus on creating environments that support both employees and students, considering various factors that contribute to a high-quality training experience. Building such an ecosystem is a long-term process, but Poland appears to be on the right path toward further development of swimming as both a sport and a recreational activity.

The Benefits of Swimming

Why is it worth learning to swim?

Swimming is a super skill! It’s not just about having fun in the water—it’s also crucial for health and safety.

  • This Skill Can Save Lives
  • Swimming is an excellent way to stay in great physical shape. It engages nearly all muscle groups while reducing strain on the joints. Additionally, it strengthens the heart and improves lung capacity, acting like a magic elixir for the circulatory system.
  • In today’s fast-paced world, swimming helps relax and unwind. It provides a sense of calm and helps reduce stress, contributing to both mental and physical well-being.
  • A Social and Community Activity

Swimming schools and clubs offer a great opportunity to meet new people and form lasting friendships. Being part of a like-minded community makes it easier to connect with others who share similar values and outlooks on life. It fosters a sense of belonging, allows for knowledge exchange, and even creates opportunities for competition and sports adventure.

Whether you’re a child or an adult, learning to swim can be a fantastic and rewarding experience. It’s more than just a skill—it’s a combination of health benefits, social connections, and pure fun!

Teaching Swimming – A Demanding Profession

How can you turn a love and passion for swimming into a business? Is it worth it?

If you love swimming, working with people, and sharing knowledge, then this career path is worth considering. As mentioned earlier, there is a strong demand for swimming lessons, which means a growing market and the potential for good earnings. However, this demand also makes it easy to obtain an instructor certification quickly, leading to some individuals entering the field without the necessary competence.

It is essential to understand that being a swimming instructor is not just about obtaining a certificate—it requires continuous development of skills and expertise. The most successful instructors and trainers are those who stand out through their knowledge, professionalism, and dedication.

Keys to Success in the Swimming Business Continuous Learning – Keeping up with new trends in swimming instruction and training is crucial. Professional Growth – Constantly improving coaching skills and adopting new teaching methods can set an instructor apart. Business Choices – Deciding whether to work independently, join a team, or build a swim school requires strategic planning.

Being self-employed provides more independence but also greater responsibility in managing a business. Working in a team can offer stability, collaboration, and shared responsibilities. Starting your own swim school requires leadership, management, and organizational skills, in addition to coaching expertise. Many instructors underestimate the amount of work, responsibilities, and costs associated with running a larger operation. While being a great trainer is valuable, true success in the swimming business also requires strong leadership, business management, and organizational abilities.

Running Your Own Business – A Swimming School

You run a swimming school. What is the most challenging aspect of this business, and what brings you the most joy? Was it a business idea from the very beginning?

I am a visionary, so I have always wanted to create things my own way. My mind is filled with ideas and innovations, which is why I wanted to establish my own place where I could bring my dreams and visions to life for my Hasten swimming family. However, as my plans for the future evolved—such as starting my own family—I had to consider financial stability. Being an instructor is still a job, and when you don’t work, you don’t earn.

There have been many difficult moments. The hardest one for me was when the quality of our classes and customer service led to a rapid increase in the number of students, and I simply wasn’t prepared for it. Firstly, I lacked the necessary skills—I didn’t know how to delegate tasks or manage a budget. This led to a situation where we had an annual revenue of 1 million, yet we were still financially struggling.

I didn’t pay myself a salary, worked seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and cried into my pillow, praying that someone would come and take this burden off my shoulders so I could return to the pool and the job I loved most. Today, things are different. I trusted the right people, who helped us structure all the processes.

We continue to grow, drawing inspiration from leaders and companies in the business world that focus on the latest trends. However, as I transitioned into the role of a business manager, I deeply missed the most enjoyable part of the job—working with my students. The fact that people trusted me so much, entrusted me with their health and their bodies, brought me the most joy. It was always an incredible exchange of positive energy.

As the organization grew, my responsibilities changed. The new tasks that fell on me were no longer so “energetic”, especially since they were duties I didn’t know how to handle and didn’t enjoy.

Today, I see things differently. I like to step back and look at what we’ve built, at the people around me, and feel proud of it all. We have created a supportive work environment where people respect and trust each other, and beyond work, they form friendships. This sense of community and connection is invaluable, especially in today’s fast-paced, competitive, and stressful world.

Swimming Business on YouTube

What have you learned from the conversations on "Pływacki Biznes"?

Every guest and every conversation bring new topics and perspectives into my life. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to talk not only with people from the swimming community but also with specialists from various fields who help or can contribute in different ways. The true value lies in these diverse viewpoints and experiences.One of the key aspects of my approach is openness. I strive to be receptive to different perspectives and never judge people prematurely.

This allows my guests to feel safe and comfortable during our conversations, making them more willing to share their experiences openly. It’s a unique skill that I continuously develop through my YouTube channel—the ability to listen and accept someone else’s perspective, even if I don’t always agree with it. This mindset helps create an environment where participants feel valued and understood, fostering positive relationships. It also enables me to better comprehend different viewpoints, leading to more well-rounded decisions and contributing to the growth and development of our organization.

The Future of Swimming in Poland

How do you envision swimming in Poland in the next 5, 10, or 15 years?

I believe we are on the right path to structuring a high-quality swimming education system in Poland. We are investing more in education, prioritizing quality across different levels, and surrounding ourselves with experts. With strong collaboration between swimming schools and the Polish Swimming Federation (PZP), we can create a system that will, in the future, help us develop more Olympians and even Olympic medalists in swimming. At the same time, swimming will become more popular among the public, leading to a healthier and safer society.

It is crucial that we continue striving for excellence in swimming education. This requires constant skill development, knowledge sharing, and cooperation with experts and researchers in the fields of swimming and sports science.

Investment in swimming infrastructure, including modern pools and training facilities. Utilization of new technologies to enhance training and education. Ongoing evaluation and improvement of results to refine the system. International success in swimming, which not only brings prestige but also strengthens Poland’s reputation as a sports nation. Sports achievements can attract sponsors and investors, leading to better training conditions for young swimmers and further talent development.

Swimming is not just about competition—it is also a way of life, a leisure activity, and a means to improve health.

Encouraging people to engage in regular physical activity, especially swimming, can help reduce obesity levels and improve overall public health. I am confident that we are on the right track to achieving these goals.

Interview by: Maciej Mazerant, Managing Editor of AQUA SPEED Magazine

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Photos courtesy of Sonia Bochyńska-Knapik, founder of Academy of Hasten.

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