My Philosophy on Teaching
Swimming isn’t just a skill—it’s a gateway to confidence, freedom, and joy in the water. My approach is simple: meet each student where they are, discover what excites them, and tailor lessons to their unique motivations. Whether it’s toys, movement, sensation, competition, or a love of learning, I build lessons around what makes swimming enjoyable for them. People learn best when they’re having fun, and I make sure every lesson reflects that!
The Foundations of Learning to Swim
Safety and health always come first, but beyond that, I focus on balance in the water—side to side, front to back. This core skill builds water confidence and lays the foundation for strong swimming technique and overall safety.
I teach swimmers of all ages and skill levels in an age-appropriate, personalized way. Some students thrive on play, others want to understand the physics, and some learn best by visualizing success. My job is to recognize what works for each individual and guide them accordingly.
At the end of every lesson, I want my students to walk away feeling joy and a sense of accomplishment.
Balancing Safety, Technique & Fun
Swimming should always be both safe and exciting—never one at the expense of the other. If a student wants to attempt a skill beyond their current ability, I modify the environment to make it safer while maintaining their enthusiasm. My goal is to keep confidence high while progressing skills responsibly.
Ultimately, I see my role as more than just a swim instructor—I want to be a catalyst for a lifelong love and appreciation of the water.
Building Confidence in the Water
Every swimmer is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to overcoming fear. I listen deeply, understand their experiences, and create an environment where they can take new actions toward a future they’ll enjoy. When working with students who have had past trauma, I focus on helping them rewrite their relationship with the water—on their terms.
I also stay at the cutting edge of swim instruction, constantly adapting lessons, introducing fresh ideas, and keeping up with the latest research to make learning engaging and effective.
Helping Swimmers Improve Quickly
The fastest way to progress is by identifying the root cause of a student’s challenges. I assess their needs in terms of strength, technique, and sensation, helping them gain awareness of what they’re doing, why it works, and how to make adjustments. If a technique isn’t clicking, we either shift focus to another skill or find a completely different way to approach it.
Teaching Different Populations
Children vs. Adults – With kids, I match their interests, energy, and developmental stage. With adults, I break down technique, fundamentals, and their personal relationship with the water.
Special Needs & Medical Conditions – Every swimmer is different, and I adjust my approach to meet their unique needs. I accept custom requests to ensure each student gets the best, most effective instruction for them.
Competitive Swimmers – Working with competitive athletes is a privilege. I observe closely, analyze technique, and sometimes use video feedback to help swimmers self-correct and maintain their progress during their independent practice.
Overcoming Past Negative Experiences – We acknowledge past trauma, but we focus on what they want to create now. My goal is to help swimmers replace fear with confidence and open up new possibilities in the water.
No matter where you’re starting, my mission is to make sure you leave every lesson stronger, safer, and more in love with swimming than before.
