Our Approach
Tammy's Swim School helps children stay water-safe through fun lessons and activities. Kids can start learning the ropes as young as 12 weeks old.
We believe that reading each child and adjusting to their comfort level is key. They'll feel at ease in the water and develop skills faster.
We believe that reading each child and adjusting to their comfort level is key. They'll feel at ease in the water and develop skills faster.
Program Levels
Tommy the Turtle
We love it when parents join in on the fun!
While these guided sessions introduce our babies to floating and kicking, we also aim to put your mind at ease. Navigate the pool environment alongside your little one in our water introduction course, aged 12 weeks and up. Learn how to handle your infant in or near the water, how to make the water a happy and safe space, as well as new techniques to practice at home. It’ll be a splashin’ good time!
Fiona the Fish
Just keep swimmin’, swimmin’, swimmin’…
For the fishies 6 months and up, get into survival mode—making sure your baby is well-adapted to the water even when you aren’t present. It takes less than 30 seconds for a baby to drown so have confidence your child is safe around the water during their first year of life. We mix old techniques, such as floating, with something a little new: breath control and survival floating. You’ll have your very own fish out of water once they’ve graduated. We’ll even equip them with the right gear when they do!
Debbie the Dolphin
Welcome to the mini big-leagues!
Our more advanced dolphin crew flip their fins with swim-float-swim and streamline swimming. Breath advancement and lap swimming the width of the pool all gear up to the start of swim strokes, prepping your child with proper streamline swimming in order to learn freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly in our final level.
Sean the Shark
The perfect swimmer needs the perfect guidance.
Lap swimming the length of the pool and advancement of the 4 swim strokes aim to develop a precision swimmer. Our sharks will perfect their techniques and progress to side breathing, flip turns and endurance training, including mini-swim teams and group races. Ready, set, swim!
About Tammy
Guided by over 20 years of experience, Tammy Van Embden’s passion for swimming developed on the shores of her South African homeland. A competitive swimmer, water skier and sailor since middle school, she eventually captained her high school swim team.
With her husband Sylvain—himself a competitive swimmer and water-polo player— Tammy cultivated her love for swimming with their three daughters, Sagette, Talya and Shae.
Excelling in either water polo or competitive swimming, each of her daughters have had distinguished careers at their universities. Sagette and Talya earned Division I slots at the University of Miami and University of Connecticut, respectively. Sagette became an Olympic trials qualifier in the 100 breast stroke in 2004. Shae, continues the swim legacy alongside her mom as a lead swim instructor and Tammy’s right hand gal. Her specialties include competitive swim team and swim level strokes.
Since 2000, Tammy has extended her extensive knowledge to students throughout the South Florida community. Between 2003-2008, she owned and coached a swim team of over 200 students for the Aventura Aquatic Club Swim School, stationed at FIU north’s campus pool.
And her list of accolades doesn’t end there. Tammy is a 16-year + USA level swim coach and ASCA member as well as Red Cross CPR certified instructor. Her devotion to the sport and unparalleled talents as a teacher have enabled her to gift the love of swimming to those seeking her guidance.
Get in touch
Please feel free to send us a message if you have any questions or just want to chat. We can also be reached by phone or social media.