Guest: Karissa (Be Swim Happy)
What actually makes swim instruction effective—especially when a student is scared, parents are watching, and staff are stretched thin?
In this episode, Nicole and co-host Wes King sit down with Karissa from Be Swim Happy (25+ years in aquatics) for practical, usable guidance for aquatic pros and parents. This isn’t theory. It’s what you can apply next shift, next lesson, and next staff meeting.
We cover:
• The biggest misconceptions about “progress” in swim lessons (from both parents and staff)
• What strong programs do differently: culture, standards, and consistency
• The difference between a program that runs on a system vs. a program that runs on a hero
• Non-negotiables every instructor should understand—regardless of curriculum
• How to train instructors without burning everyone out (even with limited time)
• What quality looks like in the first few lessons for nervous kids
• Green flags and red flags parents can use right away
• A rapid-fire “Lightning Toolkit” for directors, instructors, and teams
Share this episode with one pool manager, one instructor, or one parent who needs it.
Connect with Karissa / Be Swim Happy: https://beswimhappy.com/
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