Our International students are learning from the best

Omar Abbass can be found in togs and goggles at 5am most days at the Bond pool preparing for the Paris Olympics.

Return in the evening though and you’ll catch him in a tracksuit teaching the sport he loves to students as part of Bond University’s new Learn to Swim Program.

The program was launched after Bond University Vice Chancellor Tim Brailsford noticed the pool wasn’t being used to its full potential, Club Sport manager Loic Fougere explained. 

In typical Bond fashion that resulted in a World Aquatics Championships competitor and potential Olympian becoming the teacher. And a program that is 100 per cent reimbursed for the students.  

With international students accounting for 35 per cent of the cohort, many hailing from countries which don’t border the water, it is important they have the opportunity to learn to swim.

“Arriving in Australia, it’s attractive to see that sand, sun and sea,” Fougere said. 

“The reality is once you arrive at the beach, those waves are really intimidating. 

“Thanks to the Bond University Student Association (BUSA), the program is being entirely reimbursed.”

Syrian champion Abbass trains at Bond under head coach Chris Mooney through a World Aquatics Scholarship. He is the leading contender to represent his home country at the Paris 2024 Olympics.  

He teaches the students water safety and water confidence as well as working on freestyle and backstroke.

“It’s fun to do something aside from my swimming. It gives me a moment to not think about training,” Abbas said. 

“Swimming is part of life here.”

Bond University Students Association (BUSA) Vice President of Sport Cami Dalton has been a part of the program’s development from the start.

“We trialled the program last semester and it has been great to see the improvements from the students,” she said. 

“I loved when students would tell me that they ‘went out in the ocean today’ and got to experience the full Gold Coast lifestyle.

“I hope to see the program expand, even past my time at Bond.”

The Learn To Swim program will run throughout the second semester and is open to all current Bond staff and students.