All of our swim instructors are trained in-house to teach Levels 1 - 5. Our instructors have various swimming backgrounds and experience, but all work well with students and are good communicators. Whether you are a beginner who needs water introduction, an advanced swimmer who needs technique assistance, or somewhere in-between, we have an instructor for you!
If you are interested in private swim lessons for yourself or your child, please read our instructor's bios below and contact the instructor of your choice to schedule your first lesson.
How to book
Choose an instructor from below and click on the button affiliated with their name.
Click on "Request Lesson" and follow the prompts. An instructor will contact you to find a time that matches your schedule.
Pricing $35 / 30 minutes: Members $60 / 1 hour: Members $95 / 1 hour, 30 minutes: Members
If you are a new member, or non-member looking to sign up for private swim lessons, go to this site: https://newporthillsswimtennisclub.com/ and click Sign Up to make your personal profile.
Click on the home icon at the top right of the page and go to bookings. From here you can pay for your lessons online or you can pay for them in person.
Each student is required to check in at the front desk upon arrival.
instructors must be notified of a cancellation at least 24 hours before the start of the lesson. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice can be charged based on the instructor's discretion.
Riley Thomas*
Hello families! My name is Riley Thomas. I am a student at Western Washington University and I have been swimming since I was 4 years old. I swam competitively for Newport for about 5 years and also swam for my high-school team. I am a firm believer in that swimming is essential to learn at a young age to build survival skills, confidence, and prepare for things like swim team and other competitive water sports. I have experience teaching a variety of ages and abilities, ranging from kids who are just getting comfortable with the water to others who are in preparation to join swim team. I am so excited to help your child reach their goals in their swimming career and look forward to hearing from you!
Hi families, my name is Abby Wilson and I am a student at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. I competed for the NHSTC swim team for eight years as well as for my high-school team. I firmly believe that swimming and being comfortable around water is an important life skill. I have many years of experience working with children of all ages through swim lessons, coaching, and camp counseling. If helpful, I also have experience teaching swim lessons for Special Olympics and am fluent in Spanish. I would be honored to assist your child in strengthening their swimming skills whether it be for a safe future in the water or in preparation for swim team. Please reach out with any questions and I look forward to hearing from you.
Hi, I'm Shaiya. I love teaching all ages and skill levels. Whether you're new to swimming, afraid of the water, or looking to strengthen your skills, I can help. Perhaps you want to prepare for a vacation or enjoy swimming with your friends or children—I can assist you in meeting your swimming goals. I am extremely patient with children, and enjoy watching their confidence grow as they learn something new. I had an amazing teacher when I was learning to swim, so I hope to be that person for you or your children, helping them become safer and stronger swimmers.
I will be back in town December 8th - January 15th
My name Is Miles Prado and I am starting my freshman year in college and am starting my third year of teaching lessons! I have grown up at NHSTC all my life and have been on the swim team since I was 6. I started playing water polo when I was twelve and soon it became my passion as I started playing year-round and went on to compete in the US Junior Olympics. I coach water polo for NHSTC as well and would love to work on any skills with swimmers or water polo players!
Hi, i’m Jada! I am a current fourth year pre-medicine student at Western Washington University. Growing up around the pool, I found my love for swimming and being in the water. As a competitive swimmer for over 10 years, I enjoy teaching technique to improve efficiency and speed for aspiring swimmers. Along with that, I love teaching beginners who may be nervous around the water how to be safe and share my excitement for swimming. I have been teach swim lessons for 5 years and I look forward to continuing to teach swimmers to love the water as much as I do! In addition to swim team, I play water polo at my university and have experience coaching so am eager to expand the sport! I am available to teach any skill level and age group (including adults) beginning July 19th!
Hello! My name is Caroline Claudson and I am currently a student at Chapman University. I have been swimming since I was about 3 years old and began competitively swimming when I was 6. I swam for my high school team and swam at NHSTC for around 13 years. I am now also on my third year coaching the summer team. I have experience teaching at every age and ability level. I work to help prepare swimmers for a lifetime of water safety and enjoyment. Whether this be the swim team route or for safety, I will work with swimmers on mastering basic strokes to developing lifesaving skills. Overall, I hope to help build confidence in all aquatic environments.
Hello, my name is Sabrina Smith. I am a senior at Newport High School. I have been teaching swim lessons and coaching the swim team for two years. I am fluent in Spanish and can teach swim lessons in Spanish and English. I have been on the swim team since I was seven years old and have played water polo for two years. I’m excited to help everyone dive into their swimming potential and become confident in the water.
Hi! My name is Bellamy Thomas and I've been swimming here at NHSTC for about 10 years. I grew up in and around the water and love sharing that excitement with the kids! I strongly believe that swimming is a life skill everyone should have, and while everyone learns differently. I will always try to make classes fun, productive, and comfortable. As a former swim team member I also look forward to teaching technique and seeing your kids excel in the pool. I look forward to hearing from you!
Hi there! My name is Owen Gerking. I’ve been swimming competitively for 7 years and I am currently swimming for Olympic Cascade Aquatic club. I am going into my Junior year at Hazen High and have qualified for high school state swimming my past two years. I have been working at Newport hills for 3 years as a camp counselor, lifeguard and swim instructor. I’m excited to start teaching private lessons to anyone who wants to improve technique and build endurance. I love working with all ages and anyone who shares a passion for swimming like I do! If you are interested in honing your swimming skills and improving your overall fitness, I’d love to work with you. Please reach out with any questions and I look forward to getting in the water as soon as possible!
Hi! I'm Isabella. I currently attend GCU and I'm majoring in elementary education. I joined Newport Hills 10 years ago and have been competitively swimming since. I swim for my university and am a national champion in breaststroke! Being the older sister of two little sisters and an upcoming elementary school teacher I'm experienced with working with kids. I thrive on creating a supportive and engaging environment, helping students of all ages and abilities build confidence and master essential swimming techniques. I am so excited to help your child reach their goals in their swimming career and look forward to hearing from you!
I will be back November 22nd - December 2nd and December 12th - January 6th
Hello families, my name is Lauren Staight and I am a freshman at the University of Washington starting this fall. I have grown up swimming at NHSTC, taking many swim lessons and participating in summer and winter league swim team since I was five. I swam for my high school swim team all four years and have been a lifeguard and swim lessons instructor at NHSTC for the last three years. I love teaching swim lessons to all ages, whether it’s helping reach goals of getting comfortable in the water and taking first steps to becoming a confident swimmer or perfecting technique and getting extra training. I am available to teach all age levels including adults, please reach out with any questions and I look forward to hearing from you!
Hello! My name is Andrew and I am currently a student at the University of Washington Seattle. I've spent the past year here as a Coach for the NHSTC Swim Team. Swimming has always been a huge passion of mine and something that I hope to instill into younger swimmers. It's important for swimmers to build good habits and technique from a young age. This not only applies to swimming but later on in their lives as well. I enjoy working with children of all ages and helping them develop their skills. Please contact me for availability. Looking forward to hearing from you! *charges different rate
Farrah Kunkel here, long time member of the Newport hills community. When I was two years old, my family moved one block away from Newport Hills Swim and Tennis Club. The pool became my second home where I learned to swim, dive, play water polo, and most importantly learned how to make friends. I have worked as a lifeguard, office staff, swim instructor and water polo coach. I have a BS in Kinesiology with a teaching certificate as well as a Masters or ED with an emphasis in Athletic Coaching. During the school year, I teach PE at Alki Elementary in West Seattle. In addition I am the Head coach for the Newport Hills Water Polo team. I am so excited for another opportunity to work for the club that has brought so much joy to my life. GO SHARKS!
*I am only available to teach adult swim lessons.
