13 Swim Pros Share Secrets at The Makai Swim Retreat 2025
At this year’s inaugural Swim Instructor Retreat hosted by Makai Swim School, one focus was on everybody’s mind: how to share swim secrets so that we can learn from different approaches; to enhance the progress of the swimmers we all teach.
Our very own Ailene Tisser, PT, had the pleasure of attending the event and has compiled her learnings and insights for us all to benefit from.
Collaboration Inspires and Motivates
Ailene came back from the retreat inspired and motivated saying “I had the wonderful opportunity to not only attend, but also present at the first ever Makai Swim School Swim Instructor Retreat in Napa California, hosted by Tami Nixon, featuring Superhero Swim Academy and a host of amazing presenters from all around the world.”
She went on to say “The goal of this event was to bring swim instructors of all different perspectives and teaching styles together to join in a collaborative and interactive learning experience about their methods and programs.”
Makai Swim Instructor Retreat 2025 Presenters
Our wonderful host shared her experience teaching kids to be confident, and safe in the water all while having fun. She shared her Floatie friends equipment brand and we learned all different ways to use them in the water to support our swimmers.
Jacob gave advice about growing your social media presence to educate and empower parents to work with their own children in the water, as well as create a community of swim instructors looking for support on their growth journey.
Chelsea explained her ‘5-day magic method’ which builds on trust, patience and skill.
Based in San Diego, Angela shared her water safety competency scale and got us all thinking about more we could be doing around teaching measurable water safety competencies to our swimmers.
Michelle gave a riveting presentation about relaxation-based swimming and her work with swimmers in Los Angeles as a private swim instructor for Hollywood’s biggest stars.
Both presenting virtually from the UK, they shared insights with us from their beautiful programs and gentle approaches to swimming for young children. Jo shared how she starts out with her infants in the bath introducing water as a gentle, and calming sensory experience. Helen shared her teaching methods and she uses the ORCA swim trainer which she invented for better body positioning for swimming.
Harriet demonstrated a lesson with her approach of head position, body position then kicking and the results were great to watch.
Tonya presented on the ABC’s of swimming (Air, Body position and Core) and gave me a great idea for helping kids that do a vertical kick by using a dog pool exit/entry ramp with netting that prevents vertical positioning.
Becca spoke about survival swim and demonstrated handling techniques in the water for us to practice.
Sean discussed comfort with deep water training and how by doing fine motor tasks while submerged, it can take your mind off of being nervous underwater. I brought back so many cool toys that he shared, which we will be trying out during our Swim Angelfish lessons, so look out for my new turtle egg dive toys!
Shalene presented on her story and song-based approach to survival swim. She was very proud to share her journey and how our online Swim Whisperers® certification program changed her understanding and teaching style when she was first starting out.
Lastly, Danielle gave a great talk on chaining behaviors and uses of visual supports for communication when working with swimmers with special needs. She has her own pool and created a very versatile adjustable in water platform that can be used at different depths in the water.
Ailene delivered the final presentation of the conference, sharing an inspiring message about connecting everything learned throughout the event and applying it to swimmers with special needs. She discussed sensory seekers, sensory avoiders, and strategies for integrating reflexes in the water.
Connections and Actions
Ailene was proud to see instructors at the conference who were already trained in the Swim Whisperers® method, and even more excited by those eager to learn about the mission and impact of the program.
The event truly felt like a retreat rather than a traditional conference. From gourmet snacks to a lobster boil group dinner by the pool, it was a memorable experience filled with connection and community.
Everyone made wonderful new relationships and left feeling inspired to keep learning from one another. Next year’s retreat will be held in Hawaii—and we are sure it will be an event not to miss!
