A Big Idea Started with a Simple Question…

“Did you learn to swim growing up?” “No, but I paddled around in my uncle's buffalo pond.”

Buffalo Pond Swim School launched in February 2024 with a simple mission: to provide inclusive and accessible swimming and water safety education programs in Indonesia. Buffalo Pond proudly operates as a social enterprise, believing in creating positive change while generating revenue to sustain and grow its high-quality services.

Addressing a Critical Need

Despite Indonesia being a nation of islands, there is limited swimming and water safety knowledge. This contributes to an alarming drowning rate, with an average of 13 people drowning every day. A 2022 OECD report ranked Indonesia 93rd in the world for "swimming without assistance" rates, despite being the fourth most populous and largest archipelagic country. 

Professional Qualifications & Programs

Buffalo Pond offers a variety of lessons catering to different age groups and skill levels. The growing team is qualified and trained in line with Australian qualifications and standards and take part in ongoing professional development to ensure the highest quality of instruction across all stages and ages which include:

• Infant Programs: For children aged 6 months to approximately 3 years, exploring water and safety skills alongside a parent or supervisor.
• Pre-school Programs: For children aged 3-5 years, focusing on water familiarization, body orientation, safety, and survival skills.
• School Age Programs: For children aged 5 years onwards, introducing technical elements of various swimming strokes.
• Stroke Programs: For children aged 5 years onwards, enhancing speed, distance, and stroke variety.
• Adult Programs: For adults of all abilities, ranging from basic swimming to stroke correction and training for personal growth or competition.
• Private Lessons: Private lessons are available for anyone of any age who would like specific and one-to-one training. 

Location and Schedule

Lessons are held at the Mandalika Beach Club in Kuta. Programs offer sessions in the mornings and afternoons to accommodate various schedules and preferences.

Social Impact at the Core

Buffalo Pond is set up as a social impact business model with a strong focus on ensuring that a portion of profits, products, and time is spent on social impact. The driving force behind this is the belief that “swimming should be a right, not a privilege.” For this reason, Buffalo Pond is committed to providing subsidized or free lessons and programs to community members who may not otherwise afford them.

Social Impact Initiatives

• Reef Property Scholarship: This program provided 15 students with a 10-week swim safety program. Students attended lessons once per week, received adequate swimwear, and learned from trained teachers in small classes.
• Nanny Program: This subsidized program offered swimming and safety skills to five local women.
• Swimming Lessons with the LPQI Islamic Deaf Society: Buffalo Pond works closely with the Islamic Deaf Society to deliver water safety days to their students, many of whom are deaf. Instructors collaborate with group leaders who translate instructions into sign language.
• OceanFolx Partnership: Buffalo Pond partnered with OceanFolx to teach water safety skills to local women, focusing on community, connection, and empowerment.

Profits, donations, time, and resources are the key pillars of our social impact philosophy, which will continue to be the backbone of our business model.

First Aid & CPR

Buffalo Pond has expanded its offerings to include First Aid and CPR training programs. These are available to students, school teachers, and surf guides, with further programs in development. A community-driven fundraiser has provided two defibrillators for central Lombok, programmed in both English and Bahasa Indonesian, with training on their use to be offered soon.

Buffalo Pond Swim School is dedicated to making swimming and water safety education accessible to everyone in Indonesia. By addressing critical needs, providing inclusive programs, and maintaining a strong focus on social impact, we aim to reduce drowning rates and create a safer, more informed community. 

Be sure to reach out with any questions and secure your spot now!

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