Proactive Swimming Club – Dubai, takes immense pride in our achievements and commitment to providing top-notch swimming education. Our success is reflected in the fact that 92% of our students have successfully completed our comprehensive Learn to Swim program, progressing through each level with us. We firmly believe that every child should have the invaluable skill of swimming, and we are dedicated to making that a reality.
We understand that each child is unique, with distinct learning requirements and paces. Our approach is centered around this understanding, ensuring that every child receives a personalized learning experience tailored to their specific swimming needs. Whether a child is learning to swim for leisure or aiming to compete at a competitive level, our professional coaches are well-equipped to guide them on their swimming journey.
80% of students from our Learn to Swim program have chosen to continue their swimming education in our Performance Squad Training program to participate in competitions. This speaks volumes about the quality of our instruction and our students' genuine enthusiasm for the sport. Our coaches are skilled at fostering a love for swimming while also nurturing competitive abilities in those who aspire to excel in the pool
We have successfully taught and mentored over 100 students each year. Our commitment to maximizing active learning time and delivering focused instruction aligns with the latest industry standards, ensuring that our students receive the best possible education in swimming.
At Proactive Swimming Club, we don't just teach swimming; we cultivate skills, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for water activities. Every stroke, every lap, and every achievement is a testament to our dedication to producing capable and confident swimmers.
Choose Proactive Swimming Club because we recognize that every child's journey through the water is unique, and we are here to guide, support, and inspire every step of the way.
Our mission
Our priority is to create a healthy and safe environment.
We are committed to engaging, motivating, and navigating swimmers to reach their full potential.
Our mission is to make a significant contribution to overall swimming quality, water safety, and health in Dubai, UAE.
Our vision
Our vision is to make high-quality swimming training accessible to everyone.
SWIMMING COACH
Marko Skakaljevic
Marko Skakaljevic was born in Serbia in 1993. He started swimming at a very young age (4) and swimming became an integral part of his life. For the first couple of years, Marko was pushed to swim by his parents, but after a tough start, it started to grow on him. When he started competing at the age of 6 and won his first medal at the age of 7, that “like” turned into love. Marko went through every age group, learning every step of the process. Some years after, when he gained the chance to represent not only his club but his school, community, city, and region, it became an honor and responsibility.
As a high school student, aged 16, Marko had the privilege to assist teachers with the learn-to-swim program. This is when he first had the chance to see the pool from the other side. While teaching Marko gained the necessary knowledge and experience about how it all gets started in the swimming world and his eagerness for knowledge and development didn’t stop there. Very soon he got the chance to be an assistant coach in the club. This position had the most influence on his career as he learned not only about swim training, but also valuable lessons about dealing with people.
Finally, at the age of 21, Marko earned the title of the independent swimming coach, completely responsible for coaching and guiding young swimmers, dealing with assistants, schools, communities, officials, etc. After graduating from the University of Sports, he became a licensed coach and gained access to a large assortment of seminars and conferences. Becoming a member of ASCA (American Swimming Coaches Association), his knowledge further expanded both through education and continuous work with swimmers.
Today, at the age of 27, he is living and working in Dubai, UAE as a squad coach. In the past 9 years Marko has had the chance to work with all levels and ages; both with professionals and amateurs; with people who are trying to qualify for their national team as competitors and people who swim for fitness or injury rehabilitation; with swimmers swimming 12 times per week and swimmers swimming twice per week; with children, teenagers and adults.
SWIMMING COACH
Derek Moses
Born on 8th August 1994 in Mbale, Uganda, my journey with swimming began at just 7 years old. By the time I joined my high school swimming team, my passion for the sport had truly taken root. Competing from the age of 10, I specialized in freestyle and breaststroke, disciplines in which I earned several medals and certificates. Those early years taught me discipline, resilience, and the joy of pushing past limits.
My first taste of coaching came in Uganda, where I worked on a small scale with young swimmers. In 2019, I made the bold decision to move to Dubai to grow further in the aquatic field.
I initially worked as a lifeguard with Emrill Facility Management LLC, a role I held for three years until June 2022. This period gave me a strong foundation in water safety, responsibility, and care for swimmers of all levels. In 2022, I joined Proactive Swimming Club, starting as a Learn-to-Swim Coach. My dedication and passion for the sport soon led me into further training, where I earned my Swim England Level 2 Certificate and ASCA Level 3 Certificate, enabling me to take on the role of Squads Coach.
As a coach, I am deeply motivated by two things: seeing swimmers transform from beginners into confident athletes and watching them achieve success—whether that’s winning medals or simply overcoming personal challenges in the water. For me, every swimmer’s journey is unique, and being part of that growth is what keeps me inspired every single day.
My mission is simple: to nurture talent, build confidence, and instill a lifelong love for swimming.
SWIMMING COACH
Irina A. Zlobina
Irina Zlobina was born in Russia in 2001. Swimming became part of her life from an early age and soon developed into both her passion and career path. Over the years, Irina’s dedication and discipline in the pool brought her significant achievements, including becoming a three-time Champion of Russia (2018, 2022, 2024), a silver medalist at the FINA Swimming World Cup in 2021, and the winner of the Friendship Games in 2022. She is also a proud member of the Russian National Team, where she continues to compete at the highest level.
While pursuing her swimming career, Irina also dedicated herself to education. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sport with a specialization in swimming coaching, later expanding her expertise with certifications in teaching swimming to babies, infants, and preschool children. She finished her studies in the functional preparation of elite athletes at Volga State University of Sport, Physical Culture and Tourism in Kazan and got her Masters degree.
Irina began her coaching career as an assistant to the head coach of the University Swimming Team, where she had the opportunity to work with swimmers who went on to become champions of the Tatar Republic and Kazakhstan, as well as record holders and medalists of the Russian Universiade. Her role allowed her to combine theory with practice and to develop a deep understanding of how to guide swimmers at different stages of their careers.
Beyond coaching, Irina also worked as a sports manager and organizer with GRC Group, a team specializing in the organization of swimming competitions. In 2024 alone, the company successfully organized more than 40 events for both children and adults, giving Irina valuable experience in sports management, event organization, and communication.
Today, Irina continues to grow as both a professional coach and athlete. With her strong background in physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, and the theory of sport, she brings a holistic approach to training. She is passionate about developing swimmers of all levels, from young beginners to elite athletes, focusing on technique, performance, and personal growth in and out of the pool. We are thrilled to welcome her to Proactive Swimming Club.
SWIMMING COACH
Dinush De Silva
M. Dinush De Silva was born in Sri Lanka, and started swimming at the age of 5, since then he has dedicated his life to swimming, water safety, and coaching. His career began in Dubai as a lifeguard at Pharaohs’ Club, where from 2018 to 2020 he was responsible for ensuring pool safety, maintaining high standards of service, and responding to emergencies with professionalism and care. This early experience gave him a strong foundation in water safety and a deep understanding of responsibility around the pool.
In 2021, Dinush transitioned to coaching, joining Cleopatra Swimming Academy. As a swimming coach, he has been working with swimmers of all ages and levels, from complete beginners to competitive athletes. His approach combines technical development with building water confidence, helping swimmers refine strokes, improve speed, and master essential skills such as flips, kicks, floating, and breath control. He has also guided individuals and teams in preparation for swim meets, tailoring programs to meet both personal and group goals.
Over the years, Dinush has gained valuable qualifications, including ASCA Level 1, 2, and 3 coaching certifications, Ellis Association safety skill training, the International Lifeguard Training Program, and the Highfield Lifeguard Course in Dubai. In addition, he has completed courses in personal survival techniques, first aid, and personal safety responsibilities, which further strengthen his expertise as both a coach and a safety professional.
Dinush is known for being a team player, a quick learner, and a problem solver. His ability to listen, adapt, and motivate makes him not only an effective coach but also a supportive mentor to his swimmers. Outside of the pool, he enjoys swimming, watching TV shows, and spending time socializing with friends and family.
We are delighted to welcome Dinush to Proactive Swimming Club.
SWIMMING COACH
Pedro "Peter" Torririt
Pedro “Peter” Torririt was born in the Philippines and built his career on a strong foundation in education and sport. He holds a Bachelor of Physical Education degree from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, as well as a Master’s in Physical Education and Sports. His journey in the world of swimming began as a competitive swimmer before he transitioned into teaching and coaching, where he discovered his passion for guiding others in sport and physical fitness.
From 1996 to 2005, Peter worked as a Physical Education teacher in the Philippines, teaching sports and swimming to students of all ages. In 2005, he moved to Dubai to continue his professional mission as a swimming coach. Over the years, he has collaborated with several renowned academies and clubs, including The Club at Dubai World Trade Center, Active Sports Academy, High Performance Sports Club, and most recently, Elite Sports. His extensive experience has given him the opportunity to coach swimmers across all levels, from beginners learning to be comfortable in the water to competitive athletes striving to perfect their technique and performance.
With nearly two decades of international coaching experience, Peter is recognized for his ability to seamlessly blend technical instruction with encouragement, enabling swimmers to gain confidence, develop their skills, and cultivate a lifelong passion for the sport. His background as both a teacher and a coach allows him to approach training with structure, patience, and motivation, ensuring that every swimmer feels supported in their journey.
We are delighted to welcome Peter to Proactive Swimming Club.