Behind Every Thriving Swim School Is a Story Worth Sharing

We are proud to bring together Tao Li, JianYong, Tan Weide and Nathanael Wee for our SAQ Conference Business Panel a conversation about ambition, resilience and the people shaping Singapore’s swimming community.

Beyond the programmes and achievements are personal journeys filled with difficult decisions, turning points and lessons learned along the way.

For Tao Li, the journey has taken her from two Olympic Games and an historic Olympic final to founding Tao Li Swimming Club. Today, she channels her competitive experience into developing swimmers, nurturing technical excellence, discipline, resilience and confidence. Her belief in “Be Your Own Champion” extends beyond performance to the lives swimmers build outside the pool.

JianYong, Founder of Happy Fish Swim School, knows what it means to put everything behind a vision. In 2015, he invested every dollar he had in an indoor heated pool for babies—a project that cost twice his budget and nearly ended his business journey. He later sustained the business through a ten-month COVID closure, using yacht charters as an alternative source of income. Today, Happy Fish serves 8,000 children across 21 pools in Singapore and Malaysia, with an ambition to reach 100,000 children annually by 2030.

Tan Weide, Founder and Director of Torpedo Swim School, brings experience across swim education, coach development, programme management and partnerships. Working at the intersection of coaching and business, he explores how technology, leadership and sustainable programmes can help shape the swimming industry’s future.

For Nathanael Wee, CEO of Red Dot Penguins, a major leadership transition tested both the business’s survival and his capacity to lead. Together with his partners, he embraced personal growth, mentorship and capability building to move forward. His story offers a thoughtful perspective on why leaders must keep growing alongside—and ahead of—their businesses.

Four different journeys, united by a commitment to helping swimming communities grow.

Whether you are coaching, running a swim school or considering your next step in aquatics, join us to hear their stories, ask your questions and explore ideas for your own journey.

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