Press Release

British Swim School Expands Footprint in Canada

The Nation’s Premier ‘Learn to Swim’ Provider Opens New Franchise in North Central Toronto

Virginia Beach, VA – British Swim School, the nation’s leading “learn to swim” franchise company, continues its Canadian expansion with the opening of its newest franchise location in Toronto. This is the company’s fourth franchise in Toronto, with swim lessons currently being offered in seven locations.

Local resident Michael Margolian is the new franchise owner for British Swim School of North Central Toronto. Margolian, a former executive with the Canadian Government, is excited to provide students of all ages with the signature survival skills and basic stroke development British Swim School is known for.

“With Ontario experiencing the highest number of drowning deaths in Canada, I am anxious to bring such an important and essential resource to my part of the province,” says Michael Margolian. “This is an incredible opportunity to teach a critical life skill that will help prevent drowning and save lives. The mission really resonates with my values, and I can’t wait to help children feel safe in the water and give parents peace of mind.”

According to the Canadian Red Cross, drowning is a leading cause of preventable injury and death in children under 10. While parental supervision is always the number one safety measure, research shows that participation in formal swim programs, such as those offered by British Swim School, can reduce the risk of drowning by 88 percent among children who are most at risk for deaths caused by drowning.

British Swim School offers a three-part curriculum teaching children and adults of all ages, some as young as three months, water acclimation, safety and survival skills, and swim stroke development.

"We are pleased to expand our British Swim School presence in Canada and welcome Michael Margolian to the franchise family," said Ashley Gundlach, British Swim School President. “It’s more important than ever that we partner with owners who are passionate about water safety. This expansion allows us to reach even more families and provide them with lifesaving skills while providing individuals like Michael opportunities to become business owners.”

Margolian joins the growing team of franchise owners that operate the more than 215 British Swim Schools across the United States and Canada.

Recently ranked #352 on the prestigious Franchise 500, British Swim Schools comes off a recordbreaking year in terms of customer demand and franchise performance and looks forward to building on that growth in 2022.

About British Swim School

British Swim School, the nation’s most established swim school franchise with over 40 years in business, believes that every individual, regardless of age or ability, should have the opportunity to become a safe and happy swimmer. Offering lessons for babies, children, and adults, the brand is dedicated to its mantra, “Survival of the Littlest,” focusing first on the survival skills needed to survive a water accident, then moving on to stroke development and more advanced skills. Not only does British Swim Schools give peace of mind to countless families who seek the essential life skill the brand offers their children, the purpose-driven franchise also offers an exceptional opportunity for entrepreneurs who seek a fulfilling business venture with a sound foundation, low investment, and easily scalable model. Part of the Buzz Franchise Brands family, British Swim School currently operates over 215 schools across the United States and Canada.