Episode Summary: 

Bob and Kathy Hubbard spent their early professional lives in the corporate world but, because of their love for swimming and the ocean, they were led to run a competitive swim program called the Phoenix Swim Club during the economic downturn of the late 1980s. 

Frustrated by the lack of profitability, they narrowed their focus to giving swim lessons in the summer of 1993. At last, they had found their passion, and in the spring of 1998, they ventured out of the PSC to teach swim lessons wherever they could—a “guerilla swim school”, they called themselves. The Hubbard’s opened their first swim school in North Phoenix in October 1999, their second in Peoria in 2007, their third in Mesa in 2010, and their latest in Goodyear in 2020. 

Joining us today alongside Bob is Mike Geyer, President of Exceptional Water Systems. The two talk about their current partnership and how Hubbard Family Swim School has benefited immensely thanks to Mike’s expertise, incredible systems, and meticulous approach to health and cleanliness. 

We discuss the Hubbard Family Swim School philosophy, the importance of water and air quality, the ideal turnover rate, the operations side of running the school, and safety standards. Mike also gives us a full breakdown of the equipment room that you don’t want to miss! 

Topics Discussed: 

• 01:07 - How Bob became involved in the swim school business 
• 06:24 - What exactly goes into building a swim school? 

• 10:26 - Bob’s expectations for the business in 2021 with COVID-19 in mind 
• 12:40 - The Hubbard Family Swim School Philosophy