Swim lessons in English & French for babies, toddlers and children in heated pools .
Based in Geneva & Lausanne
Meet Our Team
MIKE
Founder & Director - Responsable for teaching & swim programme
Mike is the founder of Red Whale Swim School and a swim teacher. He grew up in Australia but has lived in greater Geneva since 2003. He has three kids who keep him on his toes and teaching them to swim was the inspiration behind Red Whale.
He is a strong advocate of children learning to swim from a young age.
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
STA International Baby and Pre-School Teacher
STA International Swimming Teacher
LAETITIA
HR & Deck manager & Swim Teacher - Geneva
Laetitia was born in Switzerland, but spent her childhood in the Basque Country, always playing in the water (surfing, bodyboarding, sailing, ...).
This allowed her to develop a strong connection with nature and the ocean. She would like to share her sense of peace with other people, especially babies.
Since becoming a mother, she has a greater appreciation for the importance of children learning to swim early and in a joyful environment.
She will do her best to make the classes fun and enjoyable for both parents and children.
Certifications:
BLS/AED (Switzerland)
CLIO
Founder & Director - Responsible for client relations, planning, HR & Communication
Clio is Mike's wife and takes care of everything that is not related to teaching. She has three children, a dog and loves to swim (when she has time).
She loves to teach very young babies and to reassure moms who come for the first time in the water.
Certifications:
First Aid and CPR (Switzerland)
STA International Baby and Pre-School Teacher
STA International Swimming Teacher
ZUZANNA
Client Relations Manager - Geneva
Zuzanna was born and grew up in Poland. She has been a certified swimming teacher since 2014 and she specialises in working with toddlers and babies.
She worked at our Bellevue pool but is now back home in Poland and works remotely, answering all your emails!
Certifications:
First Aid and CPR (Poland)
STA International Baby and Pre-School Teacher
STA International Swimming Teacher
KHEDIDJA
Branch Manager Geneva
Born on the shores of the Mediterranean, Khedidja is at ease with children.
With an MBA in marketing and international business, she has spent the last few years overseeing operations at Geneva airport while ensuring the safety of thousands of passengers and crew.
" Unleash the child's potential and you will transform him into the world”. A mindset that fully represents the ideas and values she shares with RedWhale.
Certifications:
Base Pool (Switzerland)
CLEMENT
Branch Manager Lausanne & Swim Teacher - Geneva
Clément is Clio & Mike's right hand and is responsible for our pool in Lausanne.
He has a French background but grew up in the United States, where he swam competitively for 15 years reaching a university and national level.
He has been teaching and coaching swimming for 8 years in the US, New Zealand and Switzerland where he has been able to lead both competitive teams and learn to swim programs.
He loves to help kids progress and gain confidence in themselves to be able to enjoy the water as much as he has throughout his life.
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
ADRIAN
Swim Teacher - Geneva & Lausanne
Adrian was born in Romania, and trained as a footballer in high school.
He worked as a swimming and physical education teacher in Romania and as a swimming teacher in London.
He has been living in Switzerland since September 2019. Now the Swiss mountains make him feel at home.
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
STA International Baby and Pre-School Teacher
STA International Swimming Teacher
ANNOUK
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Annouk grew up near Zürich.
Her love of sport began already early in her life, when she tried many types of sports, such as gymnastics, dance, horseback riding and, of course, swimming.
She has been a gymnastics coach and a swim teacher assistant in her hometown for several years and at the Red Whale swim school since summer 2021.
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
AURANE
Swim Teacher - Lausanne
Aurane has grown up Switzerland. She has always loved water and is a swimmer as well as a diver; she particularly enjoys that her work allows her to share her knowledge, meet people and be in her element.
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
CHLOE
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Chloé grew up in Geneva and has always loved swimming and water sports. She has been working as a lifeguard for several years during summers. She has been teaching swimming for adults in Neuchâtel but is now happy to teach children. She has been a volunteer firefighter and volunteer rescuer on the lake in Geneva for many years. She loves sports and nature.
Certifications :
BLS/AED & Base pool & Plus pool & Pro pool (Switzerland)
Secouriste niveau 1 IAS (Suisse)
EMMA
Swim Teacher - Lausanne
Emma has been living in Switzerland for the past few years.
She is a former top level French artistic swimmer and has flourished in this discipline for 10 years, going from swimmer to coach at beginner and espoir levels. She enjoys teaching and passing on her passion for water to children.
KARL
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Born in France, in love with the aquatic fauna and flora and coming from a family of underwater divers, Karl was a swimmer in a swimming club during his childhood. This naturally led him to the profession of swimming teacher which he practises with passion.
In his teens, he switched to freestyle skiing at a high level for over 10 years. He spends his winters as an avalanche rescue worker and avalanche dog handler with his faithful companion Eko.
Dynamic, patient and a good listener, he is also very comfortable with children and adults.
Certifications:
Bpjeps AAN (France)
BLS/AED & base pool & Plus Pool (Switzerland)
NAYA
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Naya was born in Iran. She began to swim at a very young age and reached the university swim team. She also played water polo at a high level.
She became a swim teacher at 18 years old, firstly in Iran, then in Turkey and now in Switzerland.
Sport is her passion and water is her second home.
Certifications:
Swim teacher/referee/Lifeguard in Iran.
Lifeguard certificate in Istanbul.
STA International Swimming Teacher.
BLS/AED & Base pool (Switzerland)
TEODORA
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Teodora grew up in Belgrade, Serbia and was a competitive synchronised swimmer.
Throughout her studies, Teodora taught swimming - she worked with babies, kids, and adults.
In addition to her day job at the UN, Teodora continues to teach swimming with a focus on skill acquisition and confidence building.
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
ALIX
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Alix is a former high level swimmer in the club of Massy Natation, and has participated many times in the French swimming championships.
He has been a trainer for 7 years now and loves to share his passion and knowledge.
Certifications:
BNSSA/PSE1 (France)
BLS/AED & base pool & Plus Pool (Switzerland)
ANOUAR
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Anouar has lived in France since he was 16 years old. Learning to swim at 22, he discovered the passion of the aquatic environment with all its diversity, hence his desire to teach children to swim.
Also a volunteer fireman in France for 3 years, he has been teaching swimming lessons to adults and children for more than 10 years, as well as all aquatic activities (aquagym, aqua bike, baby in the water, aqua fitness, etc).
Certifications:
BNSSA and BPJEPS AAN AAN (France)
BLS/AED & base pool & Plus Pool (Switzerland)
AXEL
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Axel was born in France and is certified as a sports professional in STAPS (sports science).
He has been a deep-sea diver for 5 years and a lifeguard for a few years.
He is convinced that the love of water can bring a deep well-being as well as a balance in everyday life. He is thrilled to be able to share this love of water and to allow children to flourish in it.
He also competes in Savate Boxe Française and won the French Championships 5 times.
Certifications:
Pool Plus (Switzerland)
CYRIL
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Cyril is French, the father of two little girls and a sports enthusiast. He has loved swimming since he was very young. Enthusiastic and teasing, he is committed to giving you a good time during the lessons.
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
EMMANUEL
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Emmanuel was born in France and has two children aged 12 and 14.
Passionate about water sports, he was a water-polo player participating in the military world games in 1995, then coach for nearly 15 years with missions as assistant coach for the French youth teams.
In Geneva since 2016, he has animated and developed aquabike in many structures, while continuing to teach swimming for all audiences and especially children.
Convinced by the benefits of water at any age, he is concerned about the development of the child in the practice of swimming from an early age.
Certifications :
BLS/AED & Pro pool (SUI)
ESA Adult Sports (SUI)
BEES 2° Activités aquatiques (FRA)
Instructor aquabike & aquagym
LOUIS
Swim Teacher - Lausanne
Louis has grown up in Polynesia, where water was always part of his life. He did a lot of scuba diving but swimming always was his favorite sport. He stopped competitive training during the pandemic but he hopes to be back soon, and would love to try some open water races. In the meantime, he hopes to share his enthusiasm with the less comfortable swimmers !
Certifications:
BLS/AED & base pool & Plus Pool (Switzerland)
NOEMIE
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Born in France, Noémie loves sport and nature. She has been passionate about swimming since she was a child and was a competitive swimmer for over 10 years. This is why she decided to become a swimming teacher.
Noémie is also a runner and has obtained the title of French Cross-Country Champion in 2010.
She is now happy to pass on her love of swimming as a swimming teacher.
She has a sunny and friendly nature and has an excellent feeling with children.
Certifications:
Bpjeps AAN (France)
BLS/AED & base pool & Plus Pool (Switzerland)
VIKTORIA
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Viktoria is a student and former top level Swiss swimmer who has decided to share her passion and knowledge of the sport with youngsters as an instructor for the past 3 years.
She is eager to get to know the children and see them progress through fun and educational lessons.
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
AMANDA
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Amanda grew up near Madrid and her passion for water began at the age of 4, when she started taking swimming lessons until her late teens. She has also taken part in tennis, judo, dance and horse riding.
Amanda enjoys working with children and has experience as a camp counsellor in the US and UK. She is delighted to be able to help children learn to swim while having fun.
Certifications :
BLS/AED & Base pool (Switzerland)
ARIANE
Swim Teacher - Geneva & Lausanne
Aquaphobic until the age of 6, Ariane later competed in the Swiss Swimming Championships with breaststroke. She has been a passionate teacher since the age of 18 and she loves to share her joy of being in the water.
Ariane is a mom to 3 adult children. Her moto in life is: everything is possible!
Certifications:
Aquagym, aquaphobia, BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
BERNIE
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Bernie spent most of her youth swimming at a competitive level firstly in the UK and then in Switzerland.
Whilst at university in Edinburgh, Bernie got her Swim Teacher and lifesaving qualifications, teaching young children at the weekend and coaching the local swimming club in the evenings. She also spent her summer’s back in Switzerland teaching children privately, specialising in those with a fear of water.
Bernie believes that swimming is one of the most important and most valuable skills that you can teach a child and loves that she can contribute towards their learning in a fun and positive way.
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base Pool (Switzerland)
DANAE
Swim Teacher - Geneva & Lausanne
Born to be a mermaid - As my father told me.
Danae was a synchronised swimmer for over a decade, starting at only 7 years old! She then started diving and was a diver for 20 years in Asia.
She arrived in Switzerland in 2003 arrived and became a baby swim teacher.
Water is her element and her patience and kindness in unbeatable!
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
STA International Baby and Pre-School
GIUSEPPE
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Giuseppe was born in South Africa to Italian parents, and discovered his passion for sports early on.
He likes to discover other forms of fitness, such as aquagym, aquabike, pilates etc.
Certifications:
Bpjeps AGFF & Bpjeps AAN certificates,
ENF 1, 2, 3 (French Swimming)
BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland) & Module lac.
LOUISE
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Louise was born in France and she grew up for 10 years in the US where she has learnt to swim in a similar style as the one Red Whale uses.
Being a swimmer for 15 years, she loves to share her love for the water. She is convinced that swimming is the best prevention for physical and mental illnesses.
Her goal is to share the love for swimming in a wellbeing environment.
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
PASCAL
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Pascal is originally from the Netherlands and moved to the area about 7 years ago.
He has worked in the medical field for over 20 years, the last 12 years as a paramedic. In his free time, he enjoys exploring different types of sports and is passionate about CrossFit and open water swimming.
Teaching children the basics of swimming and how to be comfortable in the water brings a smile to his face, and he hopes to pass that smile on to the children during their classes.
Certifications:
BLS/AED (Switzerland)
VINCENT
Swim Teacher - Lausanne
Vincent grew up in the Lausanne area and has been practicing various sports since he was young. Swimming is one of his favourite sports because it brings tranquility, full use of the body and a sense of freedom.
Certifications:
BLS/AED (Switzerland)
AMANDINE
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Amandine grew up in France in a very sporty family (gym, horse riding, triathlon and swimming).
She loves children, and she used to supervise the training of young children (3-6 years old) in her triathlon club, always making it a point of honour that her classes take place in a joyful and good mood.
Recently, she became a mother and her desire to pass on her love for the aquatic environment has increased. She therefore strives to make her classes fun, safe and enjoyable for both parents and children.
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
ARLENE
Swim Teacher - Lausanne
Arlène started swimming at 3 months old because it was my mum's job. She continued swimming and even became a competition swimmer.
Teaching is something I'm passionate about.
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
CARINE
Swim Teacher - Lausanne
Carine is French and she studies at the University of Lausanne. The water has always been her element. She started swimming at a very young age, doing baby swimmers, and ended up swimming competitively for eight years, including two years in "sport-study". She hopes to pass on her passion for swimming.
Certifications:
BNSSA & BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
DIDIER
Swim Teacher - Geneva
His whole life evolved in sports. Kicked start at the tender age of 5 and never looked back. From becoming a certified and experienced Lifeguard, he was moulded into a professional Personal Trainer infusing the Pilates Method into his training.
He is passionate about sports like water polo, running, and football to name a few.
He is convinced that sports serve various meaning in life and are one conducive way to unleash one physical capability and develop great team spirit.
He enjoys teaching, learning in the process, and sharing his professional knowledge and experiences with others.
Certifications:
BNSSA & BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)
HELENE
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Hélène was born in Switzerland and since she was a child, she has loved nature, animals and discovering new sports. As the youngest of a large family, she had to adapt quickly to the rhythm of her elders.
At the age of 16, she spent a year in the United States as a bilingual exchange student. During this trip, she discovered the discipline of swimming and competitions.
She wants to pass on the pleasure of discovering swimming to children.
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base Pool (Switzerland)
MELINA
Swim Teacher - Lausanne
Mélina arrived in Switzerland in 2018.
Her school taught her to swim when she was 6 years old, and she later joined a swimming club. Since then, she has been swimming as a hobby and has also tried other water sports like diving, surfing, or bodyboarding.
She looks forward to helping children become more comfortable in the water.
Certifications :
BLS/AED (Switzerland)
RAMZI
Swim Teacher - Geneva
Ramzi is passionate about water sports. He has been swimming since the age of 9 in a club and has chosen to make this passion his profession.
He has been teaching swimming for more than 15 years in France, Switzerland and in the Middle East in recent years. He returned to the Geneva area to be with his family after several years of expatriation.
Certifications:
BLS/AED & Base pool & Pool Plus (Switzerland)