Welcome to MarciSwim

Get to Know Us

Coach Marci

Teaching children to swim is the most satisfying work I can imagine. I help kids meet big challenges in every lesson and I can watch as their confidence grows. That look in a child’s eye, the way they puff out their chest with pride when they know they’ve conquered something big - that’s why I do this and that’s what makes me smile at the end of every day.

I have swam my entire life and began teaching when I was in high school. I've been coaching swim teams and teaching lessons in Atlanta since 2010, including at Leslie Beach Club and at Dynamo Swim Club. As a lifelong learner, I’ve been trained in aquatic physical therapy and in working with children with special needs. Originally from the northeast, I've made Atlanta my home. I have been married to my loving and supportive husband for over 20 years, and have an adult stepson who is a natural teacher himself. I love my dog, the outdoors, movies, and cars.

Coach Arlene

Coach Arlene first connected with Coach Marci in the summer of 2020 when she brought her grandson for lessons. Marci knew instinctively that Arlene was the right fit for MarciSwim and asked her to join as a coach. She has been Marci’s right-hand in the pool ever since. Coach Arlene has a magic touch with kids, is firm but loving, rational and patient. She is a lifelong swimmer and athlete, having competed in the Junior Olympics as a swimmer in her birthplace of Johannesburg. As a high-level competitive swimmer for many years, and having saved children from drowning on 2 occasions, she understands the importance of her role at MarciSwim. Arlene teaches Weekly Swim Lessons in Marietta during the cooler months, and joins Coach Marci in teaching 7-Day Swim in the Spring and Summer.

Coach John

Coach John is a graduate of Georgia Tech with a passion for teaching. He's a lifelong swimmer and has been coaching with MarciSwim since 2020. Patient, calm, and creative in his teaching, Coach John focuses on swim safety and stroke development, empowering children to be confident swimmers. When he isn't in the pool, he can be found teaching mathematics and children’s multidisciplinary classes in Grant Park and spending time outdoors with his dog, Holly. Look for Coach John at our 7-Day Swim sessions this summer, or for Weekly Lessons in Decatur on Mondays and Wednesdays!

Coach Avery

Coach Avery is a Georgia Tech graduate and is currently getting her Masters in Public Health at Emory. Avery has been swimming for over 17 years. With over four years of lifeguarding experience, Coach Avery always prioritizes water safety in her lessons and wants her students to love the water just as much as she does! In her spare time, Avery loves hiking, traveling, reading, and spending time with her cat, Goose. Lessons with Avery can be found on the Weekly Swim Lessons page in Buckhead.

Coach Gabi

Coach Gabi has been swimming since the age of 4, where she competed on swim teams in the Northern Virginia/DMV area. Currently a student at Emory University, Gabi is a triple major in Biology, Finance, and Psychology on the pre-med track. With several years of experience as an EMT in Virginia and Conyers, Georgia, Gabi understands the importance of teaching water safety and helping kids find a passion for swimming as a potentially lifelong form of physical fitness. When she is out of the pool, you can find Gabi on 15-20 mile runs at Stone Mountain, in the gym, or hanging out with friends. Gabi works in Decatur on Saturdays and Buckhead on Sundays.

Coach Sophia

Coach Sophia has been swimming since the age of 6, she first swam on a summer league team in her home city of Seattle but eventually moved to a competitive year-round team. She went on to swim DIII at Chapman University in sunny southern California. Sophia is currently a graduate student at Emory University getting her Masters in Genetic Counseling. She began teaching swim lessons at the age of 16 when she taught both group and private lessons at a pool in Seattle. After moving to college Sophia came home for the summer and coached a summer league team in 2018. Growing up around lakes, pools and the Puget Sound, Sophia knows the importance of water safety and the joys of swimming and is excited to share her passion with you Saturdays in Decatur! When she isn’t in the pool Sophia spends her time finding new hikes outside Atlanta, reading a good book, or more likely studying!

Coach Kate

Coach Kate is currently working at our Acworth location on Saturdays. Kate uses a cheery & motivating coaching style. She has been swimming my entire life and found an absolute joy through teaching lessons. Coach Kate loves to be silly and creative while challenging the students to reach their full potential. When not in the pool she’s usually found painting, or hiking with her dog Beans.

Coach Anna

Coach Anna has had a love for being in the water since she was a child! She grew up swimming competitively, teaching swim lessons, and coaching for a summer league swim team. After graduating from the University of Virginia, she moved back to Atlanta and is currently attending Georgia State to obtain her doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy. Coach Anna has experience in teaching swim from the most basic to advanced levels. When she is not in the pool (or studying), she enjoys spending time outdoors and seeing her friends and family. Coach Anna is currently working as a substitute coach for MarciSwim.

Coach Wilbur

For as long as Wilbur could remember, swimming was the highlight of his summers. As he went from swim team to lifeguard and swim instructor, he found joy in passing on the technical and intuitive skills that swimming fosters. Since moving to Atlanta he’s been teaching kids both in the pool and the classroom as a math tutor. He is very excited to join the MarciSwim team. As a coach, he focuses on building up strokes from a solid foundation (Marci’s 7 day swim program) and reinforcing water safety. All to keep the summers fun, safe, and maybe even competitive. Coach Wilbur is working on Saturdays in Decatur with MarciSwim.

Coach Kelsey

Coach Kelsey has been swimming competitively since she was 7 years old, first for a club swim team and eventually for a DII college team at Lenoir-Rhyne University in her hometown of Hickory, NC. She started teaching swim lessons at age 14 and went on to hold a coaching position for the club swim team for five years (2017-2021) while she was obtaining her undergraduate degree. Coach Kelsey has a wide range of experience, from teaching the basics of swimming to knowing how to swim all four strokes competitively. She loves finding creative ways to teach her swimmers while ensuring safety, having fun, and pushing them to be the best swimmers they can be. Coach Kelsey is currently a graduate student at Emory University getting her master's degree in genetic counseling and is working on Saturdays in Decatur with MarciSwims. When she isn't in class or in the pool, Kelsey is most likely studying, perfecting a new recipe, or drinking a cup of coffee at a nearby coffee shop.

Coach Sam

Hi my name is Coach Sam, I am currently pursuing a degree in Biology at Kennesaw State University. I have been swimming since I was 6, and did swim team for 8 years. I was also a lifeguard for 2 years, and worked as water safety supervisor for films and television for 2 years. I have taught as a swim instructor for over 4 years and have experience teaching all age levels as well as those with disabilities. I specialize in teaching water safety and stroke improvement. I believe that learning to swim is one of the greatest things you can do because it can expand your experiences and your horizons.

Coach Maria

Coach Maria is a swimming instructor with years of experience teaching children and adults. Maria was also a competitive swimmer for her high school and did USA swimming. She went from swim team to lifeguard and swim instructor to become an aquatics director for many aquatics centers. Maria believes in safety and knows the importance of learning to swim. Maria is currently working as a substitute coach with MarciSwim.

Lifeguard Freeborn

Freeborn is our head lifeguard at MarciSwim. Marci met Freeborn in 2010 when she was teaching for a big swim school and immediately knew she wanted Freeborn to join the MarciSwim team. As soon as you meet him, you will be impressed by his welcoming spirit and dedication to pool safety. With over 10 years of lifeguarding experience, Freeborn ensures safety and gives parents the opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves at pool parties. To book Freeborn as a lifeguard for your party, please email us at info@marciswim.com. For more information on party guards, check out the Party Guard section on our website.