British Swim School

by Jill Cousins

During the first 10 years of her life, Valynn Sala-Diakanda – who lived in chilly Buffalo, New York – could easily avoid going into the water. So, the fact that she didn’t know how to swim wasn’t much of an issue. However, that changed when her family moved to sunny Naples, Florida, with beaches and swimming pools everywhere.

Valynn, now the co-owner/director of British Swim School in Apopka, initially had a complicated relationship with the water as a kid in the Sunshine State.

“My childhood experience with swimming wasn’t the greatest,” says Valynn, who lives in Apopka with her husband and three children. “I grew up with a fear of water. [Her parents often warned:] Don’t go near the pool; don’t go out too far; don’t do this; don’t do that. Just stay away from the water!”

But Valynn didn’t want to be left out of the fun that other children were having, so she taught herself how to swim. When she became a mom, Valynn made sure her kids learned how to swim at an early age, and now they love being in the water.

“They’re all fish,” she says with a smile.

At British Swim School, it is Valynn’s mission to teach swimming safety to children (starting at three months) and adults, so that everyone learns to love – rather than fear – the water. In March 2024, she opened her first British Swim School location at the 24 Hour Fitness gym in Apopka, and a second location is scheduled to open in March 2025 at the LA Fitness on Montgomery Road in Altamonte Springs.

British Swim School was founded in 1981 by swimmer Rita Goldberg in Manchester, England and is now one of the largest learn-to-swim providers in North America. In addition to emphasizing water safety, the program also partners with under-utilized pools at gyms and hotels. That makes lessons more affordable, and Valynn also works with several local and national foundations that provide financial assistance to ensure that swim lessons are accessible to all children.

For more information, text or call 407-337-5728 or visit BritishSwimSchool.com.