OUR STORY
Born from a passion for water
From 60 children in a local pool to over 300 swimmers across five programs. This is the story of Swim Verbier.
HOW IT ALL BEGAN
Two Dutch women, one shared dream
Swim Verbier first started operating as a swimming school and triathlon club in 2015 with an initial membership of roughly 60 children learning to swim in that first year.
The club was born out of a simple observation: there was no club in Val de Bagnes to teach children this essential life skill. As two Dutch women who learned to swim from the moment they could walk, founders Yvette and Karin knew how important water safety was, and they set out to change that for the local community.
We have grown with each year since, but our original purpose remains more or less the same: to provide professional and caring support to enable safety, confidence and fun in the water for the community of Val de Bagnes.
OUR MISSION
What drives us
"Being safe in the water is a necessary life skill, one that you're never too old to learn."
We are passionate about the mental and physical health benefits that water-based sports can bring to everyone, of all abilities. Whether for leisure or fitness, whether you're searching for beginner, intermediate, or advanced instruction, our team of professional instructors are dedicated to supporting your learning in the swimming pool.
We are a bilingual club based in Verbier offering a wide range of water-based activities to support the dynamic and active community of Val de Bagnes as well as visitors to our spectacular region.
300+
Children swimming weekly
60+
Adults across programmes
10
Years of experience
5
Qualified instructors
OUR VALUES
What we stand for
These principles guide everything we do, from the way we teach a 3-year-old their first splash to how we train young triathletes.
Make safety a priority
Water safety is the foundation of everything we do. Our goal is for every child to reach Level 6 Swiss Aquatics, the level at which they are safe in the water without supervision.
Fun and confidence
We develop confidence and encourage enjoyment in the water through a mix of games and exercises. Learning should always be a positive experience.
Be part of the community
We exist to serve the community of Val de Bagnes and its visitors. The club is a place where families connect, children grow and friendships are made.
Professional standards
All our instructors hold Swiss Aquatics, Jeunesse+Sport and BLS-AED certifications. We invest continuously in training and professional development.
Bilingual and inclusive
Our instructors speak French and English, with some also speaking Dutch, German and Afrikaans. We welcome everyone regardless of language or background.
Progress and structure
We follow the Swiss Aquatics system of ten progressive levels, giving children clear milestones and a sense of achievement as they advance through each stage.
THE TEAM
Meet the Swim Verbier team
Together, we create a positive and motivational environment where swimmers of all ages can learn, grow, and discover the joy of swimming.
Karin Pethebridge
Club President and swimming instructor
Karin founded Swim Verbier in 2015, driven by a vision to enrich the Val de Bagnes community through a club dedicated to water safety and skill development for children. Passionate about swimming and triathlon, she strives to give young people the confidence and ability to enjoy the water throughout their lives.
With over 11 years of experience in swim instruction, triathlon coaching, and club management, Karin combines extensive expertise with a keen eye for detail. Her strength lies in her ability to assess individual needs and design creative, effective pathways for improvement—supporting swimmers of all ages and abilities to reach their potential.
Karin’s own sporting repertoire is extensive, she has competed in many triathlons, three Half Ironmans, and in the Thun 2024 Ironman.
Qualifications: Swiss Aquatics Kids Coach, Open Water Brevet, Sports Academy: swimming, athletics, gymnastics, dance, ball sports, Société Suisse de Sauvetage: Pool Pro Brevet, Pool Basic brevet, BLS-AED.
Robert Spears
Swimming instructor
Rob has been part of Swim Verbier since its founding in 2015 and has guided hundreds of children through every stage of learning to swim. In addition to his work with the club, he teaches swimming to children at the local and international schools, works with young athletes in preparation for competitions and trains adults for triathlons and Ironman events. Rob also has experience working with swimmers of diverse abilities, including those with disabilities.
Known for his passion, patience, and perseverance, Rob is a dedicated instructor who challenges and supports his students in equal measure. He takes pride in helping individuals understand complex swimming techniques in relatable ways and finds immense satisfaction in watching his students grow in confidence, skill, and love for the sport over time.
Rob has competed in multiple triathlons and two Half-Ironmans but is most accomplished in running with podiums in marathons and multiple trail races.
Qualifications: Brevet Fédéral, Swiss Aquatics Kids Coach, Kids & School, Papillon, Moniteur de Stage, Jeunesse + Sport children & youth, Société Suisse de Sauvetage: Module Lac, Pool Pro brevet, Pool Basic brevet, BLS/AED.
Stephanie Kaye
Swimming instructor
Stephanie has been a valued swim instructor with the club since 2019, bringing precision, patience, and enthusiasm to every lesson. She is detail-oriented and has been very successful in helping many students build strong technique and lasting confidence in the water. Stephanie adapts her teaching style to meet each swimmer’s needs - whether guiding nervous beginners or refining the performance of developing athletes.
Stephanie’s high expectations from her students are balanced by her supportive approach and matched by her commitment to helping every swimmer achieve their best through encouragement, patience, and clear, constructive feedback.
Stephanie got involved in competitive swimming in her youth. She transitioned into triathlon as an adult and has been competing globally, racing all distances from sprint to full Ironman, for well over a decade. Her preferred distance is the 70.3 Half Ironman and she has raced at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships on several occasions.
Qualifications: Société Suisse de Sauvetage: Pro Pool brevet, Pool Basic brevet, Module Lac, BLS-AED, Jeunesse + Sport Triathlon
Yvette Heijnen
Club President and swimming instructor
Yvette has been part of Swim Verbier since its founding in 2015. Originally from the Netherlands where swimming is a way of life, she learned to swim at a young age and, alongside Karin, recognised the importance of creating a club that would provide this essential life skill to the children of the community.
Yvette is a highly competent and caring teacher, known for her balanced approach that combines kindness with clear guidance. She is patient when working with children and adults who are anxious in the water and takes great satisfaction in helping them transform fear into confidence and joy. Her lessons are engaging, varied, and designed to ensure steady progress.
Yvette is an accomplished trail runner, who spends as much of her free time running the trails of Val de Bagnes with her dog Scruffy. She has competed in numerous races across the Swiss Alps, including multiple editions of the Trail Verbier St. Bernard (VSB) X-traversée.
Qualifications: Swiss Aquatics, Société Suisse de Sauvetage: Module Lac, Pro Pool brevet, Pool Basic brevet, BLS-AED, Jeunesse + Sport for children & youth,
Maev Cox
Head of Communications & Swimming instructor
Maev joined the Swim Verbier team in 2023 and quickly became known for her engaging, positive approach to teaching. She brings energy and enthusiasm to every lesson, focusing on building confidence and helping swimmers find real enjoyment in the water.
Maev has a calm demeanour and is a patient teacher making her especially skilled at working with children and beginner swimmers. Originally from South Africa, Maev spent much of her childhood in the water and understands first-hand the freedom and wellbeing that come with being a confident swimmer.
Alongside her passion for swimming, Maev is an accomplished endurance athlete, having completed several Olympic-distance triathlons and multiple city marathons and ultra-marathon trail races across the Swiss Alps.
Qualifications: Société Suisse de Sauvetage: Pro Pool brevet, Pool Basic brevet, BLS-AED.
Be part of our story
Whether you're a local family or visiting Verbier, we'd love to welcome you to the pool. Join the club that's been making swimmers since 2015.