It all begins with an idea. You rarely stay on the path you thought you would take. Doesn’t mean your destination changes, just how you get there.

After not making the summer swim team at the age of 4, I made it my mission to learn how to swim and have the endurance to make swim team. Little did I know (or my parents) that swimming would become a life long obsession.

I swam year round from the age of 5-18, heading off to Rider University as a D1 student-athlete.

Upon graduation, I returned back to the Y to coach the swim team that helped build me. Coaching turned my interest into becoming an Aquatics Director. Landing a job in NJ in 2014, my dreams were coming true. After a few life changes, a husband, 2 boys and a baby on the way in 2022, at 7 months pregnant I realized the need and demand for swim lessons.

As the previous Aquatic Director at the JCC of Atlantic County (2014-2022), I rebranded their swim lesson curriculum by removing the Lenny K Swim academy, and created the launch of a new lesson approach. I took the best of all lesson programs offered at the time and created what was then called the J Swim School Academy. While at the JCC, I also created a weekly water survival lesson program that offered lessons similar to ISR training, as well as worked with Faces 4 Autism to create an adaptive swim lesson program for those that were on the spectrum.

Starting off as a one woman operation in 2022, the demand for lessons grew in 2023 bringing our first employee on board. Now in 2024, we are starting the season with an even higher demand for mobile swim lessons with 3 instructors.

As a mom of 4, I understand the need and demand for convenience and high quality lessons within the Atlantic and Cape May County areas. We strive to help our next generation learn to survive and swim. We look forward to working with you this summer season!

Alexis is a rising Junior at Kutztown University, majoring in Early Childhood Education. She is the oldest of 5 siblings and a local to Margate, NJ. During school breaks and the summer season, Alexis also works at a local daycare and summer camp.

As a child, Alexis learned to swim and adapt to water and continues to have a love for the water. She has swam for the Margate Sharks, under Coach Alicia, before moving onto her high school swimming career with Ocean City High School. Alexis also worked under Alicia as lifeguard at a local community center from 2018-2022.

Alexis is great with kids, especially since her youngest sibling is 4 years old. During Alexis’ free time, she loves offering her time up to babysit as well!

We are so excited to have Alexis join our team this summer season, as she will be traveling to our beloved clients homes within the Atlantic County and Cape May County Areas.

Christina is a full-time teacher working in Weymouth School District, and is excited to be joining the Island Aquatics NJ team this summer season.

Working virtually during the Covid school year, Christina’s passion for teaching flourished, and she’s excited to continue to work with your swimmer(s) this year!

Before graduating Stockton in 2019, Christina previously worked as a lifeguard and taught swim lessons at the JCC from 2017-2019. Christina was also an instructor with the Adaptive Swim Lesson program partnership with Faces 4 Autism.

After taking a brief hiatus, getting married and starting a family, Christina is excited to get back in the pool this summer to work with your swimmers this season!

Brianna Gutierrez is a Senior at Stockton University, studying Marine Biology.

A former competitive swimmer since the age of 6, Brianna still has the love of being in the water.

As a swim instructor throughout the school year, Brianna’s favorite part of teaching lessons is passing on her skills to the younger generation, and instill a love and respect for the water.

Brianna values the students' safety above all else and prioritize skills and drills that will help save lives in the event of an emergency.

We are excited to have Brianna join our Island Aquatics team this summer season, and she can’t wait to teach and have some fun in the pool with your swimmer!

Kirsten is a teacher relocating to the South Jersey Area from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. She graduated from Salisbury University with a bachelors degree in Physical Education. For the past two years she has taught P.E. in both elementary and secondary environments. Through her teaching, she has gained experience teaching children with a wide range of skills, behaviors and backgrounds.

Kirsten has been involved with the sport of swimming since she was 5. She took a greater interest in competitive swimming at age 12. She swam for Ocean Pines Swim Team as well as Stephen Decatur High School, contributing to the athletic success of both teams.

At age 15, she began volunteer coaching the younger swimmers on the team, as well as volunteering during a local water safety program. As the years went on, she eventually became an assistant age group coach for Ocean Pines Swim team, focusing on ages groups 4-8 years old.

While Kirsten loves the competitive aspect of swimming, she believes it’s an important life skill. Kirsten is passionate about providing effective yet FUN instruction that helps developing swimmers build confidence in their abilities and skills to help them survive in emergencies.