By Jon Harker, President, Australian Swim Schools Association
The Australian swimming community has lost a great humanitarian with the passing of Tracey Ayton at 66.
Tracey faced cancer with the same grit and determination she showed in championing the cause of children with disability.
Believing that no disability should see a child left on the pool deck, Tracey, alongside Chris Liu and Pete Dunn, founded Little Heroes Swim Academy.
“Every child deserves to learn to love the water.”
Tracey Ayton
Fifteen years ago, Tracey didn’t have a corporate budget. She had some holiday pay and an unstoppable drive.
“If I’m going to do something at this stage of my life, I want it to mean something,” she said.
What began at Bondi Icebergs with just seven children grew into a not-for-profit operating across multiple locations and helping hundreds of Sydney families. Tracey was its leader, lobbyist, major fundraiser, mentor, teacher, gardener and cleaner.
No job was too big or too small.
Her work with Little Heroes saw Tracey inducted into the Australian Swim Schools Association Hall of Fame for her humanitarian contribution.
“Some children are never going to learn how to swim, but that doesn’t mean they can’t learn to love the water. We don’t turn anyone away,” she said.
“When we give someone who is unable to walk the ability to move in the water, the joy on their face is just amazing. The pride from the parents seeing their child do something they thought they would never be able to achieve is priceless.”
ASSA Water Safety Committee
Tracey’s commitment to water safety extended well beyond Little Heroes. For close to 20 years, she gave countless volunteer hours to the cause, including many years contributing to the ASSA Water Safety Committee.
Those who served alongside Tracey on the committee remember a passionate and determined woman who gave enormously to the work, the industry and the people around her.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Tracey Ayton, CEO and co-founder of Little Heroes Swim Academy and long-time water safety warrior with ASSA. Tracey gave countless volunteer hours over the last 20 years to help keep kids safer in and around water. She will be deeply missed by the Water Safety Committee and our whole swimming community. Our sincerest condolences to Rod, Brett, Dean and her family. Fly high, beautiful lady.”
Siria Thomas – Northern Stars Swim School | ASSA Water Safety Committee
“Trace was a powerhouse of a woman who was relentless when it came to her aquatic passions in life, water safety and Little Heroes. Fly high our Warrior.”
Mel Rickwood – Aquatics Down Under Swim School | ASSA Water Safety Committee
“How fortunate were we all to know Tracey and bathe in her light, love and passion. She did so much to make the world around her better, for so many. Thank you for being the force of nature you were, Tracey. We will miss you dearly.”
Dave Dubois – Carlile Swim | ASSA Water Safety Committee
Tracey did not believe in lowering expectations. Instead, she found other ways to reach them.
She championed inclusion across the industry and was a sought-after speaker and leader.
Her lessons instilled confidence, independence, water safety and joy. Tracey also understood that the lesson did not stop when a child climbed out of the pool. She knew the families were learning too. Learning to keep their children safer, to navigate the water together and to see possibilities, not barriers.
Tracey’s commitment extended beyond the swimming pool. She raised money, applied for grants, trained instructors, advocated for families and dreamed of creating purpose-built facilities where aquatic education for people with disability could come first.
She even took her Little Heroes to the beach.
For many families, getting a child with disability to the ocean could seem impossibly difficult. Tracey thought that if the children needed to learn about the beach and ocean, then someone needed to take them there.
So, she did.
“When you’re helping someone, you feel good inside. I think that everyone should follow their dreams and not be scared to take a challenge,” Tracey said.
Tracey, thank you for following yours.
The swimming community, and the hundreds of children who may otherwise have been excluded from it, are better for it.
On behalf of the Australian Swim Schools Association, our heartfelt condolences go to Rod, Brett, Dean and all of Tracey’s family and friends.
Vale, Tracey Ayton.
A legend of the human spirit.
Help Tracey’s Legacy Live On
To help ensure Tracey’s legacy lives on, her family has established a GoFundMe to help keep Little Heroes Swim Academy operating and continue giving children the opportunity to build confidence and find freedom in the water.
