About Me

My name is Avery, and I love swimming. But years of competitive swim throughout childhood and adolescence culminated in a 17-year old who never, ever wanted to swim another lap.

Fast forward a few years to post-college Avery, who was struggling to find an enjoyable fitness routine. I swam alongside a friend who was training for a triathlon and was reminded how much I love the sport. It’s intense, gentle, challenging, meditative, and fun. Since then, I’ve been teaching friends, children, friends’ children how to love the water as much as I do.

Some things you should know about me:

  • U.S. Masters Swimming team member

  • 10+ years competitive swimming

  • Formally trained swim and water safety instructor at top tier Pasadena aquatic center

  • 5+ years dragging friends to the pool with me

  • CPR certified


My Philosophy & Toolkit

I offer private and semi-private swim lessons to children and adults who want to feel more confident in the water.

First and foremost, I prioritize water safety and swimming foundations. This looks like: breathing technique, floating, gliding, and building trust with the water.

Once we’re safe, we’ll swim.

Younger children will start with learning a basic doggy paddle, while more advanced children or adults will start with freestyle (AKA crawl). After mastering a basic doggy paddle and freestyle with rhythmic breathing, we’ll move onto backstroke and breaststroke.

About You

My main priority is to help you meet your or your child’s swimming goals. Some common ones I hear are:

  • “My child is terrified of the water. I just want her to be able to swim on family vacations, in our pool or at pool parties.”

  • “I want to use swimming as a part of my fitness routine but don’t know where to start. I’m not necessarily scared of the water, but I need some help refining technique, learning strokes and putting together workouts.”

  • “I want to feel confident in my local lap pool, but I barely know strokes or pool/lane etiquette.”

  • “My child has tried group lessons, but he needs more individual attention and a calmer environment.”

  • “I want to try group lessons or a swim team, but I need to know the basics before I join.”