Welcome to my website! I am an experienced and dedicated swim instructor in New York City, available for private swim lessons. Read below for some background information about my experience, or click above to see certifications, referrals, rates, and contact info.
Background
Over the past ten years, I have used the knowledge and experience gained from my elite swimming career to hone a practiced and effective coaching method for swimmers of all skill levels. I have coached everyone from toddlers and adults with no swimming experience to triathletes and competitive swimmers. I can improve your technique, shave seconds off your race times, or just help you conquer your fear of the water! I am currently the Assistant Swim Coach for both Junior Varsity and Varsity Swim Teams at the prestigious Trinity High School in the Upper West Side. I have also taught at New York Sports Club. Prior to that, I taught swimming in my native Philadelphia at the Aquatic and Fitness Center in Bala Cynwyd, Philadelphia Sports Club, and the local YMCA and JCC. I am CPR/Lifeguard/AED/First Aid/HeadsUp Head Trauma and Water Safety Instructor certified by Red Cross and I am also certified to be an Official at U.S National Swimming Meets for Stroke and Turn Technique and Timing.
I have a BA in Musical Theatre from American University and an MFA in Acting from the University of South Carolina. I am also a member of Actors' Equity.
Swimming Accomplishments
I am a retired nationally ranked swimmer in the 100 and 200 yard butterfly. In high school, I trained every day with Olympian Maddie Crippen and Olympic Coach Dick Shoulberg at Germantown Academy in Germantown, PA. I later worked with Charlie Kennedy (Olympian Brendan Hansen's coach) at Suburban Seahawks Club in Newtown Square, PA. I also swam for Lower Merion High School, where I broke the school record in the 100 yard butterfly.
Best times:
2:08 in the 200 yard butterfly
:58 in the 100 yard butterfly
I was recruited to swim at Yale University, University of Denver, Brandeis, American University and The University of Michigan, while Michael Phelps attended.
I held the Pre-Olympic Swim Camp (Ak-O-Mak) open water swim record at age 15 (3.5 miles), the only US Citizen to achieve this.
Over a three-year period, I won over 15 Gold Medals at the National Maccabi Games.
Your Lesson
I will tailor workouts on a case-by-case basis depending on skill level. My plan pushes and motivates the athlete to constantly improve, while also keeping the session fun and enjoyable. My workouts can accommodate anything from sprinting and short yardage (usually less than 1000 yards) to long distance swims (more than 5000 yards). Technique is vital for all swimmers, and will be an important focus.
For young children, I like to keep it fun and safe, and love getting in the pool with them to help make them more comfortable. I also have experience teaching children with disabilities, which I do in a very patient and understanding manner.
I have all the equipment you might need including: barbel, kick board, bouy, toys and kick ball, parachute, finis hip belt for advanced swimmers.
In addition, I have had great success teaching adult beginners. Remember, it’s never too late to start!
If you have any questions about a personalized swim plan, do not hesitate to contact me through the contact page.
-Leeanna
Background
Over the past ten years, I have used the knowledge and experience gained from my elite swimming career to hone a practiced and effective coaching method for swimmers of all skill levels. I have coached everyone from toddlers and adults with no swimming experience to triathletes and competitive swimmers. I can improve your technique, shave seconds off your race times, or just help you conquer your fear of the water! I am currently the Assistant Swim Coach for both Junior Varsity and Varsity Swim Teams at the prestigious Trinity High School in the Upper West Side. I have also taught at New York Sports Club. Prior to that, I taught swimming in my native Philadelphia at the Aquatic and Fitness Center in Bala Cynwyd, Philadelphia Sports Club, and the local YMCA and JCC. I am CPR/Lifeguard/AED/First Aid/HeadsUp Head Trauma and Water Safety Instructor certified by Red Cross and I am also certified to be an Official at U.S National Swimming Meets for Stroke and Turn Technique and Timing.
I have a BA in Musical Theatre from American University and an MFA in Acting from the University of South Carolina. I am also a member of Actors' Equity.
Swimming Accomplishments
I am a retired nationally ranked swimmer in the 100 and 200 yard butterfly. In high school, I trained every day with Olympian Maddie Crippen and Olympic Coach Dick Shoulberg at Germantown Academy in Germantown, PA. I later worked with Charlie Kennedy (Olympian Brendan Hansen's coach) at Suburban Seahawks Club in Newtown Square, PA. I also swam for Lower Merion High School, where I broke the school record in the 100 yard butterfly.
Best times:
2:08 in the 200 yard butterfly
:58 in the 100 yard butterfly
I was recruited to swim at Yale University, University of Denver, Brandeis, American University and The University of Michigan, while Michael Phelps attended.
I held the Pre-Olympic Swim Camp (Ak-O-Mak) open water swim record at age 15 (3.5 miles), the only US Citizen to achieve this.
Over a three-year period, I won over 15 Gold Medals at the National Maccabi Games.
Your Lesson
I will tailor workouts on a case-by-case basis depending on skill level. My plan pushes and motivates the athlete to constantly improve, while also keeping the session fun and enjoyable. My workouts can accommodate anything from sprinting and short yardage (usually less than 1000 yards) to long distance swims (more than 5000 yards). Technique is vital for all swimmers, and will be an important focus.
For young children, I like to keep it fun and safe, and love getting in the pool with them to help make them more comfortable. I also have experience teaching children with disabilities, which I do in a very patient and understanding manner.
I have all the equipment you might need including: barbel, kick board, bouy, toys and kick ball, parachute, finis hip belt for advanced swimmers.
In addition, I have had great success teaching adult beginners. Remember, it’s never too late to start!
If you have any questions about a personalized swim plan, do not hesitate to contact me through the contact page.
-Leeanna
