With Unleashed Brands’ Support, Water Wings Brings Lifesaving Lessons to More Kids
Avi and Tracy Shafshak founded Water Wings Swim School more than 20 years ago with a commitment to empower people of all ages with essential water safety skills.
Their emphasis on building confidence in a fun, supportive environment appealed to families, and over the years the business thrived and expanded from its single location in Las Vegas to more than a dozen state-of-the-art indoor facilities. And since the company has recently become part of the youth enrichment platform Unleashed Brands, Water Wings is now positioned to bring its important lessons to even more families as it launches its national franchise program.
“By leveraging Unleashed Brands’ resources, technology and marketing systems, we’re excited to expand our reach, open more locations, and positively impact even more children and families with lifesaving swim instruction,” says Brand President of Water Wings Avi Shafshak (below).
A Passion for Swimming and Teaching
When the husband-and-wife team began Water Wings, they drew on their shared love of swimming and of teaching. Avi Shafshak’s strong background in business and swim school management complemented Tracy Shafshak’s experience as a former competitive swimmer and coach and her training in child psychology.
They aimed to create a place where families felt confident, supported, and safe. While water safety is a serious business, the company’s instruction model is built on the belief that having fun is the most important component of learning to swim, as it allows children to overcome any fears and to become more open to learning water basics. Once students are more comfortable in the water, high-quality instruction and consistent practice help them develop the necessary foundational skills.
Water Wings’ philosophy fits well with Unleashed Brands’ guiding principle of providing engaging and enriching environments for children, through brands that include Urban Air, The Little Gym, Sylvan Learning, XP League, Snapology, Class 101 and Premier Martial Arts.
“This addition of Water Wings aligns seamlessly with our mission by equipping kids with confidence, critical life skills and a lifelong love of learning and growth,” says Michael Browning Jr., founder and CEO of Unleashed Brands. “Swimming is not only a fun activity but also an essential, lifesaving skill, and we’re proud to add Water Wings to our platform of brands serving families.”
Powered by Unleashed Brands
Over the last ten years, Unleashed Brands has succeeded in scaling businesses focused on allowing kids to explore new activities and broaden their perspectives. This commitment to growth lines up with the Shafshaks’ vision for Water Wings as the company begins franchising, Avi Shafshak says.
Water Wings Swim School has a lower buildout cost than many swim school franchises, making it a more accessible opportunity for new franchisees. While experience is not required in either pool maintenance or swimming instruction, the company seeks franchise owners who have an entrepreneurial spirit and leadership skills and who are focused on the community and on customer service.
The company offers franchisees a curriculum and a streamlined plan of operations that have proven to be successful. Flexible ownership options, including an option for remote management, allow franchisees to opt to take an active role or a more hands-off approach.
Water Wings’ wide range of services create diverse revenue streams year-round. In addition to private lessons and group classes, franchise locations run swim meets, clinics and camps and have special programs for adult lap swimming, for babies, and for homeschool groups.
Comprehensive support for franchisees extends beyond initial training, with ongoing guidance, up-to-date technology, and a tailored strategy for local marketing. Water Wings also assists franchise owners with finding the ideal site. Key expansion markets include Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.
Given worrying increase in drowning deaths in the United States and the fact that drowning is the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 1 and 4, more parents are prioritizing swimming lessons. The global swim school franchise market is estimated to be about $1.5 billion, according to Verified Market Reports. An emphasis on water safety skills, along with recreational swimming activities and year-round programs, is driving the market’s expansion, with the market value expected to reach $2.8 billion by 2033.
“With more than 20 years of experience, Water Wings Swim School offers a proven model that meets the urgent need for early swim instruction,” says Josh Wall, chief operating officer of Unleashed Brands. “Combined with our ability to build efficiently in today’s cost-conscious environment, we’re well-positioned to scale and bring these critical skills to more families nationwide. The launch of the Water Wings Swim School franchise program marks an important milestone in expanding access to high-quality swim education across the country.”
For more information about the Water Wings Swim School franchise, visit the company’s website.
