Karen Baildon presents two high-level sessions at SWIMCON25, sharing expert insights on swim school business, teaching excellence and industry leadership.

THE SUPERFISH BLOG

Karen Baildon Shares Industry Insights at SWIMCON25

26 Sep, 2025

Karen Baildon

Co-Founder | Managing Director

Karen Baildon, Co-Founder and General Manager of Superfish Swim Schools, is a leading authority in learn to swim education and drowning prevention. As co-developer and lead trainer of the Superfish programs, she has created and implemented high-performing, life-saving swim education systems used across multiple facilities, setting a benchmark for quality and outcomes within the industry.

With decades of hands-on experience, Karen specialises in developing programs from concept through to delivery - training teams, refining teaching methods and ensuring consistency at every level, from infants through to advanced swimmers. Her expertise extends beyond swim schools, having contributed to the design and development of aquatic facilities including resort pools and elite sporting centres, with a strong focus on functionality, safety and user experience.

A highly engaging and respected speaker, Karen has presented nationally and internationally, including at the World Aquatic Development Conference in Sweden, ASCTA National Conference and Swim Australia forums. Known for her practical insight, clarity and energy, she delivers real-world strategies that educators and operators can implement immediately.

Karen is also a trusted mentor and consultant, working closely with industry bodies, swim schools and aquatic organisations to raise standards and improve drowning prevention outcomes. Her approachable style, combined with deep technical knowledge and operational experience, makes her a sought-after voice for conferences, workshops and industry leadership initiatives worldwide.

Karen's Bio

KAREN'S POSTS

Karen Baildon Shares Industry Insights at SWIMCON25

September 26, 2025

Listen to Karen Baildon share her lifelong journey in swimming, building Superfish Swim Schools, baby swim teaching and grassroots water safety.

Aquatic Mentors Podcast with Karen Baildon

November 30, 2021

Karen Baildon of Superfish Swim Schools wins the ASCTA Meritorious Service Award for her contribution to swimming education and drowning prevention.

Karen Baildon Wins ASCTA Meritorious Service Award

May 21, 2021

Karen Baildon Guest Speaker at the LUND World Aquatic Development Conference 2020

International Speaker Karen Baildon to Present at World Aquatic Development Conference 2020

November 6, 2019

Karen Baildon discusses toddler drowning prevention with Matt Webber on ABC Radio, sharing expert insights on safer, more effective learn-to-swim methods.

Karen Baildon on ABC Radio – Rethinking How We Teach Toddlers to Swim

November 1, 2019

Why Weekly Swimming Lessons Matter – What the Deakin Study Reveals

October 10, 2019

Learn why safe pool entry is a critical water safety skill for toddlers and young children, and how parents can reinforce it.

Safe Pool Entry – A Critical Water Safety Skill for Young Children

July 26, 2019

Discover why swimming is an essential life skill for children, from water safety and health benefits to confidence and development.

WHY Children Should Learn to Swim

March 13, 2019

Fast tracking your Toddler’s Swimming Development

March 1, 2019

Keeping Children Safe This Summer – What Every Parent Needs to Know

November 1, 2018

Superfish Founder Karen Baildon to speak at Swim Australia’s SwimINFO Tasmania conference, sharing expertise in baby and toddler swim programs.

Superfish Founder Karen Baildon Announced as Industry Speaker at SwimINFO Tasmania

September 1, 2018

Discover essential swimming milestones by age and ensure your child develops strong, independent drowning prevention skills.

Swimming Milestones Every Child Should Reach – By Age

June 1, 2018

Learn why drowning prevention programs are essential for young children and what skills every child under five should develop for water safety.

Drowning Prevention Should Be Every Parent’s Priority

March 13, 2018

Discover the truth about babies learning to swim and why early lessons are critical for building independent drowning prevention skills.

The Truth About Babies Learning to Swim – And Why It Matters

January 23, 2018

Choosing a swim school matters. Learn what to look for in instructors, programs and safety to ensure your child develops strong swimming skills.

How to Choose the Right Swim School for Your Child

January 1, 2017

Superfish Swim Schools Co-Founder and General Manager, Karen Baildon, was invited to present at SWIMCON25 in Adelaide - Australia’s leading national conference for swim school professionals and aquatic industry leaders.

Presenting two in-depth sessions across both Learn To Swim - Business and Learn To Swim - Teaching streams, Karen delivered high-level, practical insights drawn from decades of hands-on experience building one of Australia’s most respected swim school operations.

Karen Baildon guest speaker at SWIMCON25

Her presentations explored what it takes to run a sustainable, high-performing swim school - from developing strong, consistent teaching teams through to refining program delivery that prioritises real drowning-prevention outcomes. Each session combined strategic thinking with practical application, giving attendees clear, actionable takeaways they could implement immediately.

Backed by professionally developed, high-quality presentations, the sessions reflected the level of detail, clarity and structure that Superfish Swim Schools is known for. The response from industry peers reinforced Karen’s reputation as a trusted leader in learn to swim education.

Karen’s ongoing contribution to national conferences like SWIMCON continues to shape industry standards, supporting both educators and operators in delivering safer, more effective swimming programs across Australia.