Independent swimming tuition provider Swimming Nature has continued its drive for growth by securing contracts for the use of 15 additional pools.

The deals – which include pools operated by hotel groups Q Hotels, Hilton and Jurys Inn, as well as a selection of premium independent locations – have widened Swimming Nature’s network in the UK by 40 per cent.

The company has also secured a contract with local authority leisure operator, Hertsmere Leisure, and will be trialling its lessons at Bushey Grove Leisure Centre.

As part of its expansion into operations, Swimming Nature has also secured management contracts for two facilities – The Maqam Centre in Queens Park, London and the pool at St. Richard’s Primary School, in Richmond.

They are the first two properties to be operated under the “Powered by Swimming Nature” banner.

The centres mark an additional arm for the business, as it develops its aquatic management services.

Eduardo Ferré, CEO and founder of Swimming Nature. “Our goal is to grow the total number of students we teach per week to 20,000 over the next three years and launching these 15 new sites brings us one step closer to that.”

Swimming Nature’s expansion comes amidst a shortage of swimming teachers and lifeguards in the UK.

The acute lack of swimming teachers means that half of 11-year-olds in the UK can’t swim 25 metres, while a lifeguard shortage is forcing swimming pools to limit opening hours.

Swimming Nature’s business development director Michael Clark added: “What’s unique about our service is that it can work independently or augment existing provision.

“We often find that operators aren’t maximising their aquatic real estate and we are a great partner to help them enhance their overall consumer experience and create a revenue stream that is low maintenance and high return.”

Clark is one of two leisure industry veterans to have joined Swimming Nature this year, in order to help drive its ambitious expansion plans.

In January, Steve Philpott – who has 20 years experience in the sector, including 11 years as Place for People CEO – was appointed chair to work alongside CEO Eduardo Ferre to grow the business.