Welcome to Benchmark Swim Academy
What started out as a small swim school in 2013 with just one instructor and a few students, has grown over the years. Now we’re teaching hundreds of students in Manitoba each year. With our business primarily referral based, our growing numbers let us know we are providing our students with an exceptional learning experience. From the beginning our mission is, and always has been, to give everyone the opportunity to have more personalized lessons which are affordable, safe, and flexible. We also believe it all starts with a great team of instructors
Desiree Bremner
BSc | NATIONAL TRAINER | SWIM & LIFESAVING INSTRUCTOR
If this is your first time here, welcome! I have been teaching swimming lessons for over a decade at both public pools and private backyard pools.
I have taught both the Red Cross Swim Program and the Lifesaving Society Swim Program. In addition, I train swim, lifesaving, and first aid instructors for the City of Winnipeg and other organizations within the city, as well as for communities outside of Winnipeg.
In 2020, I was part of a nationwide committee of Red Cross volunteers focused on developing innovative ways to deliver water safety education during the pandemic. That year, the committee offered free online water safety and first aid sessions to audiences both nationally and internationally.
I also worked alongside the Lifesaving Society in 2020 to help create an online course dedicated to emergency preparedness in and around water, an initiative that was the first of its kind.
I currently serve as the Committee Chair for the Lifesaving Society’s National Trainers in Manitoba, in recognition of my leadership and expertise in water safety education.
My qualifications include certifications as a Swim, Lifesaving, and First Aid Instructor; Instructor Trainer; and Lifesaving Society National Trainer. I also hold a Bachelor of Science with a major in Biochemistry.
I believe that swimming is a vital life skill. Beyond creating meaningful experiences with friends and family, whether at the beach or the local pool, it plays a critical role in drowning prevention.
Our Instructors
Our instructors are Lifesaving Society certified instructors. They are certified with either Swim for Life Instructor, a Lifesaving Instructor, or both.
Our instructors also coteach with an experienced instructor for an entire session of lessons before teaching on their own. Lastly, all of our instructors have completed criminal record checks and child abuse registry checks.
PARTNERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
TOGETHER, WE CAN DO MORE.
In the Media
Lifesaving Society’s 2025 Rescue and Honour Ceremony
Desiree Bremner received a Certificate of Thanks from the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth Council at Government House. This award recognized a year of volunteer service and dedication to initiatives that enhanced leadership curriculum development.
We’re grateful for the opportunity to support meaningful improvements in how educational materials are reviewed and refreshed for future learners.
CTV Morning News Live Interview 2025
Benchmark Swim Academy was invited for an interview on CTV Moring Live early in the summer of 2025. Desiree was interviewed by CTV’s Ainsley McPhail to discuss swimming as a life skill.
Lifesaving Society’s 2021 Rescue and Honour Ceremony
Both Desiree Bremner and Benchmark Swim Academy received a Certificate of Thanks from the Royal Life Saving Society Commonwealth Council at the Government House.
It was in recognition for supporting public education efforts and working on several projects with the Lifesaving Society during the challenging year of 2020 while the entire province was locked down.
Pass the Lifejacket
In the spring of 2020, during one of the Red Cross Water Safety for Families meetings, committee members were discussing how to promote wearing a lifejacket throughout the summer. Especially in the absence of swimming lessons and water safety education across the country.
Inspired by pass the brush, a tik tok trend at the time, Desiree mentioned that herself, as well as other instructors at Benchmark, had made a video, called Pass the Lifejacket. The idea was met with enthusiasm, and Red Cross Water Safety Experts across Canada participated in the video and its production. You can find this video on the Red Cross Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Pets in Lifejackets 2021 Calendar
You might remember Genie from her star role in our team video Pass the Lifejacket. During National Drowning Prevention Week in 2020 the Lifesaving Society held a calendar contest to promote drowning prevention and to help support their charitable organization. Well, Genie had enough votes and made the cut!
Summer 2020 CTV Winnipeg Interview
Our interview with CTV Morning News during the summer of 2020. The media requested an interview after they noticed the incredible spike in demand of backyard swimming lessons we were experiencing and our virtual courses we were offering.
Certificate of Thanks
A Certificate of Thanks we received for our volunteer work with the Lifesaving Society. Over the years we’ve volunteered for their live streaming events as well as the Boat Show at the Convention Centre.
Lifesaving Society Winter Driving & Survival live-streaming event.
Desiree and Dr. Christopher Love preparing for the livestream event in 2016 about Winter Safety.