SWIM GYM
Opening SEPTEMBER 2026
About The WAter affect
Our name wasn't an accident.
The Water Affect exists because water affects the body, the nervous system, and connection itself.
The bond built in water – within a child, and between parent and child – is the foundation of how we teach Swim Safety.
mission
We believe everyone deserves to feel safe, supported, and free to be their authentic self in and around the water.
If there’s anything we can do to help you or your child feel comfortable and ready to engage, please let us know.
We welcome the strategies, supports, and sensory tools that help each person feel calm, regulated, and able to thrive.
Water meets each person where they are. Our role is to create an inclusive, understanding environment where everyone can build confidence, experience success, and enjoy the benefits of movement in water – at their own pace.
vision
The Water Affect aims is to empower children and families to confidently enjoy the beautiful waterways of the Central Coast – ensuring no one feels like a bystander in their own life, but instead becomes an active and confident member of our Community.
Kristie-lee
Meet the FOUNDER
With nearly a decade of hands-on experience supporting neurodivergent children, Kristie-Lee has dedicated her career to making a meaningful impact. After a successful tenure in corporate leadership, banking, finance, and property investment – where she led large-scale performance-based growth projects and teams – she made the life-changing decision to shift to a purpose-driven career.
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Inspired by her own children’s needs, Kristie-Lee volunteered at the Cerebral Palsy Alliance while working as a disability support worker and later trained in behavioural therapy as a technician to support children living with autism. She is also aqualified swim instructor and works directly with neurodivergent children, combining her passion for swimming with her deep understanding of their unique learning styles.
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Drawing from neurofunctional and behavioural science, Kristie-Lee has designed a swim program that nurtures confidence, builds essential skills, and provides a safe, welcoming space for all children to thrive. Her mission is simple but powerful: to ensure no child is a bystander in their own life. Every child deserves to swim, grow, and develop in an environment that truly understands and supports them.
