Our Story- A letter from our Founder

I didn’t grow up swimming competitively. I grew up with a pool, a grandfather who believed in my swimmingm and hours spent practicing strokes, holding my breath, and building confidence in the water. That pool became a place of comfort, independence, and joy. When I moved to Medford Lakes and attended summer camp, swimming became my favorite part of every day. While others feared the mile swim, I loved it. In the water, I felt calm, capable, and completely myself.

That feeling, the confidence and freedom swimming can give a child, is what I aim to create in every lesson.

I began teaching swim lessons at 15 years old, and from the very first child I taught, I knew this was something special. I loved finding creative ways to teach, turning lessons into games, and watching children grow more confident with every session. I paid close attention to what made each child comfortable, what made them smile, and what helped them succeed. Teaching wasn’t just about swimming, it was about trust.

As my students grew, so did my passion. Swim lessons quickly became my full-time focus. I researched teaching methods, created lesson plans, and carefully tracked each child’s progress. I learned what they loved and built lessons around their interests because when a child feels understood, they learn without fear. One lesson might become a firefighting mission; another, an underwater adventure. Every child entered a space where they felt safe, supported, and proud of themselves.

I officially started Penguin’s Swim School during my senior year of high school after noticing how many children missed out on swim lessons during COVID-19. I wanted to offer families something different, something that is personal, flexible, and centered around their child’s needs. I built Penguin’s Swim School with intention, care, and a deep commitment to safety and individualized instruction.

As the program grew, I became increasingly aware of how few resources existed for children with special needs. Swimming is a life-saving skill, and every child deserves the chance to learn at their own pace, in their own way. I pursued specialized training and continue to research adaptive methods so I can better serve children of all abilities. These approaches are shared with every instructor on our team, ensuring consistency, care, and collaboration.

Over the past four years, I have watched Penguin’s Swim School grow and flourish. I am extremely grateful for all of the children we have taught thus far, and all of my amazing instructors who have continued on the mission of Penguin’s Swim School with pride. 

Today, Penguin’s Swim School is my proudest accomplishment. I personally train every instructor, remain closely involved in all lessons, and ensure families always feel supported. My goal is simple: that your child feels safe, confident, and excited every time they step into the water and that you feel complete trust in the person teaching them.

This isn’t just a swim school to me. It’s a place where children grow, families feel supported, and lifelong skills are built, one lesson at a time!

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Thanks for visiting our website, and make sure to check out our Blog for more from me!

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Best wishes, 

Kait Sullivan