Schwimmschule Knechtli

We are at home in the water

Since 1976, we have been accompanying people with heart, experience, and personal commitment on their journey toward safety, confidence, and joy in the water. What once began as a passion has grown into a family business – shaped by closeness, continuity, and the belief that swimming is far more than technique.

For us, swimming is not just a course.

It is responsibility, enthusiasm, and a living piece of family history.

The Knechtli Swimming School was founded by Doris Knechtli, who turned her hobby into a profession. As an active competitive and artistic swimmer with the Basel Swimming Club, she gained valuable experience in elite sport at an early stage. She later worked as a coach and was also involved in administrative and organizational roles, laying both the professional and structural foundations of the swimming school.

In 2012, the swimming school was converted into a limited liability company (GmbH).

Since January 1, 2013, the swimming school has been run by Salome Schärer-Knechtli, the youngest daughter of the founder, together with her husband Christian Schärer. The succession was thus deliberately kept within the family – a heartfelt wish of Doris Knechtli, fulfilled with great trust and pride.

Salome Schärer-Knechtli grew up with the swimming school from an early age and was also a competitive swimmer herself. She continues the family tradition with strong professional expertise and contemporary teaching methods. She has completed all training programs up to Swimming Instructor A with Youth+Sport, as well as parent-child and baby swimming training with swimsports.ch, Aqua-Fit training with Ryffel Running, and FloatFit-HIIT training with AquaPhysical. She combines this broad educational foundation with great empathy, modern methodology, and genuine joy in teaching.

For over 13 years, Salome and Christian have led the Knechtli Swimming School with passion, personal dedication, and a clear commitment to quality.

As a family-run business, we stand for closeness, trust, and continuity – values that are reflected in every single course.

In 2026, we proudly celebrate our 50th anniversary. Five decades of the Knechtli Swimming School mean generations of swimmers, countless shared moments in the water – and the same passion as on the very first day.

Knechtli Swimming School – anything but dry exercises.