Lauren K.

Previous Employment: Lifeguard, LPRC Community Recreation Center
100 S Old Litchfield Rd, Litchfield Park, AZ 85340

Duties: look out for the safety of children in and around the pool, teach swimming lessons, perform any first aid necessary, clean up pool area, locker rooms and office, plan events, teach private adult and children lessons, create spreadsheets and schedules weekly for aquatics staff. I began swimming as an infant myself and grew up progressing into joining both club and school competitive swim teams all the way through to high school. I have a total of 8 years experience teaching swim lessons to infants, children adolescents and adults (6 months - 80+ years).

I am currently up to date on my First Aid, CPR, WSI (water safety instructor), and posses a finger print clearance card. I have always enjoyed the water and living in Arizona currently I take water safety very seriously; too many children and adults pass away due to a lack in knowledge which I enjoy passing along in a fun, safe and structured way. I not only focus on the art of swimming techniques, but I also ensure that I cover water safety for all bodies of water, safety tools/equipment, dangers of swimmers fatigue/heat stroke/hot weather effects on the body and the importance of skin protection, heath benefits of swimming, stroke basics and perfection for lap swimmers. Swimming is all about trust, consistency and practice; I want my clients to trust in my ability to keep them safe and teach them the appropriate skills consistently, that they can then continue to practice on their own.

I haven't competed at the collegiate level for sports as I decided to travel and began my own family while completing my undergrad at ASU in social work. I have worked professionally for a combined total of 10 years both in Minnesota and Arizona as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Professionally I completed both public and private swimming lessons.

My sessions depend on the specific age group and ability. I would typically begin a first meeting with observing the clients ability, confidence in the water, and willingness to engage. I would then inquire what their goal is for lessons and where they would like to improve themselves. I would tailor the lesson to meet that goal one step at a time through the set amount of sessions discussed. The drills and techniques will cover: breathing, types of strokes and the differences in arm/leg movement, streamline position (important for breathing and strokes), floats, body position and posture in the water, how to get in and out of water properly, jumping and diving, head positions, breath control (underwater and while swimming), retrieve objects off the bottom etc. I always add fun and games in for the kiddos, along with songs and easier ways for them to remember what they learned and how to complete a technique.