The Men Behind the Mission

Jacob and I have a combined 25 years of experience in the field of aquatics, specializing in water safety, swim instruction and instructor training.  We’ve taught students ranging in age from 6 months to 70 years old and have an excellent success rate.

 

I have been teaching children for the better half of my life.  Being a new father, an uncle of 12 nieces and nephews, and having been a swim instructor for the past 15 years, I’m comfortable and experienced in teaching children of all ages.  I truly enjoy the time I spend teaching children and it’s very easy for me to relate to them because I am such a kid at heart.     

 

I started life guarding and teaching swim lessons in Vermont when I was a freshman in high school.  I soon became the Director of Instruction and Life Guarding at Red Rocks Beach on the shores of Lake Champlain.  After I graduated high school, I decided to head west to attend Arizona State University.  I met my business partner Jacob while teaching swim lessons for a local community pool and found that we both shared the same passion, teaching children to swim.  Then we came up with the idea of a traveling swim school.  We found that many people had busy schedules and didn’t have the time to take their children to offsite swimming lessons and that many of the students were nervous about learning to swim let alone in an unfamiliar environment.  

 

After graduating with a Marketing degree in Business from Arizona State University, I moved back to Vermont to work as the Aquatics Director at the Greater Burlington YMCA.  At “the Y”, I was in charge of the entire Aquatics Department and specialized in instructor and lifeguard training.  Although I held a managerial role I never stopped teaching swim lessons as that has always been my true passion.  Each year the Aquatics Department would hold it’s annual fundraiser called the Lake Swim.  This is an 8-mile swim from New York to Vermont in the open waters of Lake Champlain.  I was directly in charge of the organization and safety of 30 swimmers and the 30 supporting kayakers for the day long event, so I truly understand the importance of aquatic safety.  

 

After 5 years at the YMCA, I decided it was time for me to pursue my dreams of running a swim school that would allow me the opportunity to provide swim instruction and water safety skills to as many children as possible.  I firmly believe every child should possess the skills necessary to ensure their safety in and around water. 

 

My current certifications include Water Safety Instructor Training, Life Guard Instructor Training, American Red Cross Adult and Infant/Toddler CPR, AED Certified, Scuba-PADI certified and YMCA Program School graduate.     

 

I've been teaching swim lessons for over 12 years to children, high school students, athletes, adults and special needs individuals.  I'm currently in my 4th year of working with special needs high school students with a range of physical, mental and emotional challenges.  

 

I was born and raised in Xenia, Ohio where I spent time under scholarship playing Division 1 soccer.  Eventually, at the age of 20 I moved to Phoenix to start my college training and loved it so much that I have been here ever since.

 

My work experience in the last ten years has included but not been limited to positions held as a personal trainer, swim professional and paraprofessional (special needs instructor).  I have been teaching in the Phoenix area for the last 6 years and have developed great business relationships and friendships with past and current clients.  I am currently working on an Associates Degree in Arts and Elementary Education.  

 

I am very passionate about teaching in all different arenas but swim instruction is my favorite because I’m such an aquatically inclined person, and I love to see my students of all abilities enjoy the water with such freedom.  If I can prepare them for a life of safe enjoyment in the water, I’ve done my job.   

 

My current certifications include Water Safety Instructor Training, Life Guard Instructor Training, American Red Cross Adult and Infant/Toddler CPR, AED Certified,