Head coaches

Peta Howlett is a valued member of our team. Growing up in Sydney's southern suburbs, swimming and water sports were an integral part of her childhood. After moving to Melbourne, she joined Warragul Swim Club in 2009 as a senior competitive swimmer. Peta began swim teaching in 2018, completing the Teacher of Swimming and Water Safety Course.

She is also a lifeguard and a member of Inverloch Surf Life Saving Club, regularly competing at various levels. Peta is passionate about swimming and water safety, aiming to help everyone learn essential water skills.

Sarah Wickham is part of the administration team at Baw Baw Swim School, having been with the school since its opening in 2018. She finds it rewarding to help place children in suitable swimming classes. Sarah also works with our partner schools in South Gippsland and with the South Gippsland Bass Swimming Club. She enjoys teaching backstroke and holds certifications in fitness, coaching, and swim teaching, and is currently pursuing a certificate in early childhood education.

Chelsea has been a swim instructor with Baw Baw Swim School for four years. She joined Warragul Swimming Club at age 12, which deepened her passion for swimming - something she carries to this day. Chelsea loves working with children and helping them progress in their swimming journeys, especially in teaching freestyle and breaststroke. She is currently studying Primary School teaching.

Ash is a dedicated swim instructor at Baw Baw Swim School, with two years of experience. A lifelong swimmer, Ash enjoys spending time at the beach or pool. Passionate about the sport, particularly breaststroke, swim teaching was Ash's first job. Ash aspires to work in marine biology or at a nature park.

Emily has been teaching swimming with the Baw Baw Swim School for a couple of years now, alongside studying physiotherapy at university. Emily's favourite stroke to teach is freestyle. Outside of work, she enjoys camping and travelling and hopes to become a physiotherapist for the AFL.

Michala has been a swim teacher for over two years, teaching life-saving skills with a passion for swimming. Freestyle is her favourite stroke to teach. Michala dreams of owning her own business someday. She enjoys bringing her love for swimming to younger generations, helping them develop crucial skills and a passion for her favourite sport.

Meredith joined Baw Baw Swim School in early 2022 and loves teaching children to swim. Her favourite stroke to teach is breaststroke. Meredith aspires to become an architect, designing dream homes and travelling the world. She looks forward to future travels to Europe, including Sweden and Iceland.

Charlotte has been a swim teacher at Baw Baw Swim School since early 2022 and a competitive swimmer since age 13. She plans to attend university after school but is undecided on her major. Charlotte enjoys teaching breaststroke and draws inspiration from hardworking people.

Monique has been a swim teacher at Baw Baw Swim School for around three years, holding an AUSTSWIM certificate. A former competitive swimmer at Warragul Swimming Club, Monique loves the versatility of swimming. She is studying physiotherapy at university and hopes to become a physiotherapist. Monique enjoys teaching backstroke and draws inspiration from her family's dedication.

Brydie, a swim instructor for around three years, came to Baw Baw Swim School through connections with the Warragul Swimming Club. She is studying nursing and psychological science, and aspires to work in palliative care. Brydie's favourite stroke to teach is survival backstroke. Inspired by her hardworking parents, Brydie developed a lifesaving program for young lifesavers used by various clubs, called Grommet Gurus.

Tomei is a swimming instructor and part of the administration team at Baw Baw Swim School, managing social media and websites. A competitive swimmer, coached by Dylan at South Gippsland Bass Swimming Club, Tomei recently moved to a dairy farm in Glen Alvie with a partner and their Border Collie dog. Friendly and approachable, Tomei invites everyone to say 'hi' and is often seen with a camera when not swimming.