Two wins for YMCA SA at the 2026 SA Aquatics Awards

South Australia's swimming industry gathered at Glenelg Golf Club this month for the SA Aquatic Conference and Awards, a day set aside to recognise the people, programs, and facilities driving the future of the state's aquatic sector. YMCA South Australia stood as principal sponsor, backing an event hosted by Royal Life Saving Society SA, Surf Life Saving SA and Austswim SA.

The Y walked away with two wins, a finalist listing, and honourable mentions, spread across the metro and regional sites where our swimming lessons are thriving.

Xiaohan Shang, Swimming Teacher at Parks Recreation and Sports Centre, was named South Australian New Swim Teacher of the Year, and Port Lincoln Leisure Centre won Small to Medium Swim School of the Year. Thebarton Aquatic Centre’s Teens and Adults swim program was listed as a finalist, and Lilly Henwood from Whyalla Recreation Centre was Highly Commended for Swim Teacher of the Year. 

Whether enrolling in lessons on the Eyre Peninsula, or learning to swim in metropolitan Adelaide, for YMCA SA the same standard of teaching applies. As an Austswim and Swim Australia recognised swim lesson provider, every instructor across our swimming sites is nationally accredited, so families get the same standard of teaching whether their lessons are in Port Lincoln, Whyalla, Thebarton or the Parks. Consistency matters, and because our swimming programs are built for everyday families to gain easier access to life-saving water safety skills, our awards reflect our commitment to setting the standard for the aquatic industry across South Australia.

Congratulations to every winner and finalist across the awards, and to a huge thank you to all our swim teachers keeping SA safe around water.