Swimming enrolments for Infant, Learn to Swim and Squads are now open.
Please contact us on 02 712 9297 or use the form to book a free trial class.
IT’S ALL ABOUT REPUTATION
Bangkok Dolphins has been teaching children to swim in Bangkok since 1997 and is the only swim school in Thailand that is accredited by the Thai Ministry of Education. Our Internationally recognised training through AusSwim and the STA has taught over 10,000 children to swim from the ages of 3 months to elite level at 5 locations in greater Bangkok. Our aim is to provide a fun, friendly and safe environment where children feel comfortable to develop the skills required to safely enjoy all aspects of participation in water sports.
Bangkok Dolphins Coaches also undergo a very comprehensive in-house training course, to ensure that all coaching is in line with our International Syllabus and Curriculum. All our coaches have also undergone training through Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association (ASCTA) and we were lucky enough to have Chris Twomey, Head Coach at South Shore Swimming Club and Chairman of the WA Swimming Coaches Association (ASCTA WA) share his expertise and experience to improve our coaches knowledge.
We teach children in 3 distinct programmes INFANT, LEARN TO SWIM and SQUADS and more about each is detailed in the Swim section of this website
ABOUT THE FOUNDERS
Bangkok Dolphins is truly a family run business by husband and wife team Elizabeth & Gordon Ellard. Gordon was born to English parents in south of Thailand and was an avid sportsman from a young age. After completing University in the UK, he returned home to Thailand in 1997 and nervously instructed his first swimming class with 5 clients. Since then Bangkok Dolphins has taught over 10,000 children to swim. Gordon guesses he personally has taught over 5,000 of those students and continues to work in the pool when time allows.
Liz and her team handle all the enrolments and logistics from the office at The Racquet Club in Sukhumvit 49/9 just next to the main pool used by Bangkok Dolphins. Feel free to drop in during our office hours and talk to us about how your child can learn to swim with us.
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Gordon Ellard
Founder of Bangkok Dolphins in 1997, Gordon has a passion for all things swimming. Born in the South of Thailand in a small fishing village and raised in Bangkok and then later boarding school in the UK, Gordon has always felt at home in Thailand.
Gordon is the guru of baby swimming, with over 20 years teaching experience he brings lots of laugher and fun to the pool. His favourite age group to teach is 2-3 year-olds as he says they bring a huge smile to his face as he sees their progression and water confidence grow.
He has aquatic qualifications from the UK and Australia in infant swimming and stroke development and is a Tutor with the ASA.
Elizabeth Ellard
Elizabeth has been working with Bangkok Dolphins for 19 years. Originally from Melbourne, Australia she came to work in Thailand in an advertising agency before joining Bangkok Dolphins.
She brings her background in advertising, marketing and branding and most days she is busy working with the administration department answering client enquiries and general day to day fun stuff.
She loves travelling and working in a dynamic healthy family business and looking after 2 busy teenagers. Elizabeth is married to Gordon.
James Taylor
James has been a part of Bangkok Dolphins for the last 15 years. He is an extremely experienced coach and has numerous aquatic qualifications from the UK and Australia in infant swimming, stroke development and high level coaching. He is humble and patient, the perfect temperament for teaching children.
He loves his life in Bangkok and being a part of the Bangkok community where he spends most of his free time with his two daughters and a beautiful wife who keep him extremely busy.
His favorite Thai food is Pad Kra Prao (extra spicy)
Bangkok Dolphins Timeline - Since 1997
Bangkok Dolphins opens with its first swim class at the Novotel on Soi 33.
The office opens at the Soi Klang Racquet Club.
James joins Bangkok Dolphins.
Political unrest in Thailand forces the closure of the airports - we keep swimming.
Floods hit Bangkok - the infant centre gets sandbagged and survives the waters - we keep swimming.
The new pool and office is opened at the Soi Klang Racquet Club.
Bangkok Dolphins is forced to close due to COVID19, only the second time in 23 years.
1997
1998
1999
2003
2005
2006
2008
2010
2011
2017
2019
2019
2020
Bangkok Dolphins first Summer Camp is held.
Gordon marries Liz in Melbourne, Australia.
The first Infant Centre opens on Soi 39.
Yenakart Swim Centre opens.
Politcal protests in Sukhmvit eventually force Bangkok Dolphins to close temporarily for the first time since 1997.
Politcal protests in Sukhmvit eventually force Bangkok Dolphins to close temporarily for the first time since 1997.
The first franchise of Bangkok Dolphins is opened by husband & wife team Jenny & Kim at Udomsuk.
Our first swimmer competes at the Thailand National Championships.
My daughter has loved her swimming classes with Tom on a Saturday at the Infant Centre. She has been going now for a year and started at 3 months of age. It is definitely the best thing we have done for her in Bangkok. She is so confident in the water now and she loves Tom's singing and games and also made some lots of little friends there. So just want to say a big thank you to Bangkok Dolphins and especially Teacher Tom.
Samantha L
Bangkok Dolphins is incredible. My daughter is now 6 months, she started when she was 3 and she loves swimming. They also taught us as parents how to teach our children how to swim! Totally worth the investment! We highly recommend it.
Prataporn T
I just wanted to say thank you to your teachers at Bangkok Dolphins. They have been amazing with our children. They have great personalities in leading their classes and make it a positive, fun step with learning to swim.
Max H.
I started my little boy swimming this term having checked all the swim schools in Bangkok. By far the most professional with a great program for starters. My expectations have been exceeded. Thank you.
Nicola E.
Sincere thanks for the patience, care and skill that you put into coaching my 2 children, Prae and Prim. Thank you for taking the time to get to know them, find what motivated them and build a perfect coach relationship. Their swimming has improved incredibly. As a Mum it was beautiful to see their development and confidence grow.
Helena C.