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Glenn was born in Townsville, and grew up in the suburb of Mundingburra, living adjacent to Alpins Weir. Because of their close proximity to the Weir, Glenn’s parents were quick to enrol Glenn and his three brothers into Learn to Swim classes with Laurie Lawrence. It was here that Glenn’s passion for swimming and water safety began and it has been life long.
Growing up, Glenn was heavily involved in the Surf Lifesaving movement volunteering thousands of hours of his free time to patrolling North Queensland beaches and waterways to keep the public safe. In the surf lifesaving competition arena, Glenn excelled by winning and medalling at State and National Championships in the Surf, Surf Belt and Surf Ski events.
In the pool, Glenn progressed through the swimming levels and went on to win multiple Regional, State and National Championships, culminating in him representing Australia and winning two silver medals at the 1983 Pan-Pacific Games in Tokyo, Japan.
The following year Glenn was selected on the Australian Olympic Team and represented Australia at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics where he won two Olympic Bronze medals and broke the Commonwealth record in the 100 metres butterfly.
Upon returning from the Olympic Games in 1984, Glenn decided to combine his two passions, Teaching and Swimming and built the Glenn Buchanan Swim Centre in Kirwan.
Glenn’s aim when establishing his Swim School was to prevent drownings in North Queensland by giving parents the opportunity to have their children taught to swim in a year-round, purpose built and specifically designed Swimming Centre.
Over the past 40 years, Glenn has developed a specialised Learn to Swim program to be not only the most successful swimming program in Townsville, but also the longest serving.
Glenn is now teaching the children of babies he taught many years ago.
The Glenn Buchanan Swim School has taught thousands of children to become competent and confident swimmers since opening in 1989.
These include infants who have progressed through his infant swimming program and learnt to swim independently, without the use of any aides, by the age of 16 months, to children who have mastered all four strokes and then progressed on to win Regional, State and National titles and then even gone on to represent Australia.
Although it may not be everyone’s aspirations to represent their State or Country, Glenn’s program specialises in teaching children to firstly become confident and water safe and then progresses to teaching the specific skills required that will enable them to do so, if they desire.
MONDAY – FRIDAY
8.30am – 6.00pm
SATURDAY
7.00am – 1.00pm
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