Hi, I'm Cat

I've been teaching swim lessons for 13 years — but my love of the water started long before that, with 12 years of competitive swimming. Funny enough, it was my mom who first pushed me to start teaching. She knew I'd love it. She was right.

I got my start at Aquatots in Frisco, then taught right here in Nacogdoches at the Boys & Girls Club while I was in college, followed by a couple of years of in-home lessons. After more training at the Jim Montgomery Swim School in Dallas, I came back to Nac for good — a year of private lessons at the Frogs pool, two years at Fitness 360, and now I'm in my third year teaching at my very own place.

Trained for what matters most: safety

I'm the only instructor in Nacogdoches who holds all three of these:

• Water Safety Instructor (WSI) — certified through the Aquatots program and the Jim Montgomery Swim School

• Lifeguard — American Red Cross

• CPR / AED / First Aid — American Red Cross

But there's another side to my training that matters just as much. My college degree is in psychology, sociology, and social work, with a minor in rehabilitation. That means I help with far more than the physical skill of swimming — I know how to work through a genuine fear of the water and water anxiety, and I've worked with children and adults on the autism spectrum.

How I teach

I believe swimming is a life-saving skill that everyone should learn. And the best way to build a confident, successful swimmer is through consistency and structure — steady, regular lessons where each skill builds on the last.

If your little one is nervous, don't worry — we've got this. Before we start, I'll share videos of other kids so yours can see what's coming, and it helps to talk up how brave they're going to be. We go at their pace, and confidence follows.

More than a swim coach

The best part of this job isn't the strokes — it's the relationships. Families come back to me year after year, and we grow together.

I love this community. So many of my families own small businesses, and I do my best to learn what they do and cheer them on — I've even traded goods for swim lessons. I'm just so thankful for the support, and for every family that chooses to grow with me.

Come swim with us

Whether your little one is dipping in for the first time or you're an adult finally ready to learn, I'd love to teach you.

📍 Near downtown Nacogdoches, TX (exact address shared after booking) · 📞 (904) 505-8261 · ✉️ coachcatswim@gmail.com · Facebook