To really understand our history, we have to go back beyond the building of our facility. In 1984, Dave Farrar and Margie Rhodes started a SCUBA store with the focus of traveling and named it Gypsy Divers. In 2001, they finished the building we currently are in, Gypsy Divers Aquatic Center, and decided to start offering swim lessons. With the pool kept at 88 for the comfort of the divers, it was the perfect pool to offer water safety classes and help people of various ages conquer their fear and learn to swim!
In 2019, they decided to retire and sold their business to one of their managers, Billy Harloff, who had been an instrumental part of the building since 2011. With our Swim Director, Jackie Sheffield, they have not only kept up the high quality and joy Dave and Margie had started, but have grown beyond what we could have imagined. So, in 2021, we rebranded ourselves!
Oak City Swim School is its own entity and is ready to stand separate of the scuba shop and continue its growth as your Raleigh swim school!
The lesson program developed by our staff focuses on age-appropriate water skills practice under direct supervision, with written lesson plans and clear behavioral goals established at every level. The staff is committed to making certain each student is kept on a positive and enjoyable learning trajectory during their time in our program.