Hi, I'm Tessa Rhodes
I help children of all ages develop a love of the water — and teach them to respect it, not fear it.
About me
When I became an American Red Cross WSI (Water Safety Instructor), I thought I had been given all the tools I needed to help people learn to swim. And even though the American Red Cross provides a great swim program, it barely addresses swimmers with fears or phobias.
So when I first started teaching, I would focus only on the mechanics of swimming — then wondered why it didn't work the same for everyone.
After more than ten years of coaching children, loads of research, and trial and error, I developed a series of techniques and exercises to help children (4 years+) overcome their fear of water and become confident swimmers.
My story
I grew up in Vancouver, Canada. My summers from childhood to young adulthood were filled with trips to the beach or the pool with friends and family. It seemed like every day I was in the water, participating in some sort of aquatic activity — everything from swimming to water skiing, sailing, river rafting, snorkeling, and scuba diving, to name a few.
During those formative years, I never crossed paths with anyone who didn't enjoy the water as much as I did. I was completely unaware of the fact that there were people out there, of all ages, who feared the water.
Where to start
Chances are you found me because you are a parent of a child who isn't comfortable in the water, or you're a swim instructor looking for a way to help students who can't even put their faces in the water.
If you'd like to jump right in, start with my free baby-swim course — or browse the blog for step-by-step help.
Get the free baby-swim course →
More about me
I live in the Palm Springs area, in California, with my husband. Our son headed off to college in 2017. I run a swim school from our home — we're lucky enough to have a large indoor pool, which lets me teach swimming year-round.
When I'm not teaching swimming, I love to stay in shape by — you guessed it — swimming. I also enjoy yoga, strength training, hiking, and spending time with my family. That's my son in the baseball cap; his name is Ethan, and he's responsible for much of the videography and photography around this site.
Real results from real families
Tessa is truly a miracle worker! In a matter of only 4 lessons my sons are now not only comfortable in the water, but love to swim and look forward to going to their lessons with Tessa. We've struggled for years with other programs & teachers to get my 7 y/o swimming and have had no success; now he's thriving under Tessa's instruction. And my 4 y/o is quite busy, and has an incredibly difficult time focusing, but Tessa knew from the moment she started class exactly how to get through to him and he's made far more progress than I could've ever hoped. We're amazed by her teaching abilities and so grateful for Tessa!
Andrea M.Tessa is the most patient, kind, flexible, thorough, and knowledgeable swim instructor you can ask for. I enrolled my son in private lessons when he was 14 months old and he has excelled in the 3 months he has been a student. Tessa was extremely patient during times when my son wasn't quite cooperating and was very quick to find another way to teach her lessons in an engaging, relaxing, and fun manner. She is very adaptable to my child's interests and my son loves her songs.
E.D.Tessa is an amazing teacher. She is very patient and really good at motivating her students. We couldn't be happier. We brought our 2 and 4 year old in January. Our 2 year old is now swimming at preschool level and our now 5 year old is swimming level 3.
Angelina P.After only 7 lessons, my daughter has learned how to dive down for objects, float on her back, "monkey crawl" on the edge of the pool, water safety, and is working on swimming! Tessa is one of the most calming, caring swim instructors I have seen. My daughter asks to go to swim school almost every day. I'm impressed that she works on swim instruction through fun water games and covers all the basics of water safety at a level my daughter can understand.
Anna M.Tessa is super patient with my stubborn 5 year old. He has made so much progress here. Would recommend highly.
Tim S.