Joel Libava
Aqua-Tots Swim School franchise is making waves once again with the grand opening of its latest facility in Panama City, Panama. This marks the 24th Aqua-Tots location launched in 2024. It’s owned and operated by franchisees Carlos Astroz and Diana Cardenas.
This new addition strengthens Aqua-Tots with its global mission to save lives through year-round swim education. This ensures children worldwide have access to essential water safety skills.
Aqua-Tots Swim School Franchise And The Importance of Swim Education
Drowning remains a major global concern, with the World Health Organization reporting 236,000 drowning deaths annually. The good news? Drowning is preventable.
Research from the National Institutes of Health shows that formal swim lessons can reduce the likelihood of drowning by up to 88% for children under four years old. Aqua-Tots Swim School is determined to combat this statistic by continuing to deliver proven swim instruction to families everywhere.
Since its founding in 1991, Aqua-Tots has built a reputation as a trusted leader in swim education.
The concept began with lifeguard Ron Sciarro and his wife, Jane, who launched the company in Phoenix to address the urgent need for drowning prevention among children. Partnering with Paul and Heather Preston, the team developed the idea of an indoor swim school offering year-round lessons—a revolutionary concept that has since grown into a global franchise.
167 Locations Strong
Fast forward to today, the Aqua-Tots franchise operates in 14 countries with 167 locations worldwide. And over 2.1 million children have learned to swim through their programs, which cater to kids of all ages and skill levels, starting as young as four months old.
“This year has been one of remarkable growth for Aqua-Tots, especially as we expand internationally,” said Craig Wright, CEO of Aqua-Tots Swim School. “The opening in Panama City is a fantastic way to close out 2024, bringing vital water safety education to more families in Latin America. As we head into 2025, we’re excited for the continued growth of the learn-to-swim industry and the Aqua-Tots brand.”
The new Aqua-Tots Paseo Del Norte center franchise features a spacious indoor pool heated to 90 degrees, multiple swim zones, and family-friendly amenities like baby changing stations and swimsuit dryers.
Plus, parents can relax and enjoy watching their children’s lessons from a comfortable glass-enclosed viewing area, complete with Aqua-Tots’ signature red chairs.
For information on franchise opportunities with Aqua-Tots Swim School, check out aqua-tots.com/franchise-development/.
(Main image courtesy of Aqua-Tots website)
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