Gunstock Aquatics is one of the most unique new businesses in Ko‘olauloa.
If that seems like a strange name for a new commercial swim school, that’s because you may not be familiar with Gunstock Ranch in Malaekahana mauka where the new company’s owner, Kyndra Smith, lives.

“There’s just such a need I’ve seen for year-round swimming lessons for the kids. Finally, last fall we decided to do it,” said Smith, who has been involved with teaching swimming for the past 15 years — first in Mililani and for the past 12 years at BYU-Hawaii.

She’s wanted to start her own swim school for a long time… so, she went online about six months ago and found an above-ground pool that’s now installed next to her ranch house in Malaekahana.

The pool is 41 feet long, 23 feet wide, 4.5 feet deep, “and I can vary the depth by putting in platforms for the youngest children. We did all the construction with some friends. It has its own filter and a solar panel system to keep the water warm.

“There are dressing rooms, a rest room and shower, so it’s quite self-sufficient. We even bought a small lumber mill to cut the telephone poles that make up the supports.” She added it holds 32,000 gallons of water, “and it only took 24 hours to fill it up using a regular hose.”

Over 100 local children from Hale-‘iwa to Kaaawa have taken classes since the school opened March 18.

“The programs don’t get any bigger than four children. We also offer special stroke classes, and technique classes for adults.

“Classes consist of nine 45-minute lessons for older children, and 15–30 minute classes for babies, and costs $50. Private or semiprivate classes can be arranged.”

Smith added she has a manager, Kellie Anderson, “one of my former BYUH students, and 10 other teachers who are all Red Cross and Life Guard certified, and then I give them my own aquatics certification. We have the ability to run six classes at a time.”

The school currently runs pre-school programs from 8:30-noon, two days a week. “We’ve got ‘baby-n-me’ classes we offer the other three mornings of the week. We go from 3-5 in the afternoon,” Smith said. “Summertime, we’ll run 8-12, 2-5 and then we’ll be open for parties or training classes.”

While the business idea has proved sound, Smith said getting and installing the pool was a challenge. “It wasn’t everything they promised, and it took four months to get here, when it should have taken two weeks.”

They had to install a bigger filter system “to manage the water correctly,”and she said they also found a hole in the pool liner before filling it. “We’ve been working hard at nights trying to get it finished.”

Another challenge will hit the new school when Hawaii Reserves, Inc.’s (HRI) planned community project eventually starts up in that area.

“The above-ground pool can be moved, and they are working with us to relocate. We went ahead with this project knowing we would have to move one day.”

“We also know what the benefits are, and the kids are learning correct techniques, which is the whole point of the program. The small class size, I knew, is how kids learn best.”

For more information, go to www.gunstockaquatics.com, or call 341-0788. “There are ongoing classes,” she said. “Usually every three weeks we start up another series of classes.”