Our Staff
Meet the swim team.
All Sailfish swim instructors are First Aid/CPR/AED (automated external defibrillator) certified, for which they received individualized training based on guidelines and updates from the American Heart Association.
Sailfish swim instructors also receive sexual harassment training, mandated reporter training and undergo mandatory background checks.
Our instructors are also trained in infant self-rescue, and many are lifeguard-certified.
Derek
Location: L.A.
Hi, I’m Derek! I’m the manager at Sailfish’s L.A. location. I primarily work out of our North Hollywood Pool but occasionally give travel lessons. I’ve been working in aquatics for almost a decade, and I’ve been at Sailfish for over a year. I’m also a voiceover artist, and my hobbies are hiking, rock climbing, skiing and video games.
Hi, I’m Derek! I’m the manager at Sailfish’s L.A. location. I primarily work out of our North Hollywood Pool but occasionally give travel lessons. I’ve been working in aquatics for almost a decade, and I’ve been at Sailfish for over a year. I’m also a voiceover artist, and my hobbies are hiking, rock climbing, skiing and video games.
Tori
Manager - All Florida Locations
Hi, I'm Tori! I have been in the aquatics industry since 2015, teaching swim lessons and obtaining my lifeguard instructor certification. I was also a competitive swimmer in high school. Most recently, I earned my bachelor's in Marine Biology and Theatre from Eckerd College. I have an incredible passion and appreciation for the water, and I hope I can inspire my students to feel the same!
Hi, I'm Tori! I have been in the aquatics industry since 2015, teaching swim lessons and obtaining my lifeguard instructor certification. I was also a competitive swimmer in high school. Most recently, I earned my bachelor's in Marine Biology and Theatre from Eckerd College. I have an incredible passion and appreciation for the water, and I hope I can inspire my students to feel the same!
Quinn
Instructor - Tampa
Hi, I'm Quinn! I have been a swim instructor since 2012. I was also a competitive swimmer in high school. In 2020 I received my associates in Arts, and most recently, I have been attending college for my bachelors in cyber security. I have a passion for the water, love swimming, and can't wait to meet my students this summer!
Hi, I'm Quinn! I have been a swim instructor since 2012. I was also a competitive swimmer in high school. In 2020 I received my associates in Arts, and most recently, I have been attending college for my bachelors in cyber security. I have a passion for the water, love swimming, and can't wait to meet my students this summer!
Haiden
Instructor - Tampa
Hi, I'm Haiden! I’ve recently moved to Tampa, but I’m originally from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. I’ve been teaching swim lessons for a little over two years, and I’ve lifeguarded for four years. I have many passions, I love playing guitar, surfing, working out, and of course swimming. I’m currently a sophomore in college as a public health major with the goal of becoming a Physician Assistant. I’m so looking forward to meet all my students and working along side you and your families. Cheers!
Hi, I'm Haiden! I’ve recently moved to Tampa, but I’m originally from Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey. I’ve been teaching swim lessons for a little over two years, and I’ve lifeguarded for four years. I have many passions, I love playing guitar, surfing, working out, and of course swimming. I’m currently a sophomore in college as a public health major with the goal of becoming a Physician Assistant. I’m so looking forward to meet all my students and working along side you and your families. Cheers!
Mikayla
Instructor - Orlando
Hey there! My name is MiKayla, I just started initially swim instructing but have been swimming and playing waterpolo for most of my life. I am currently living in Orlando but am originally from California. I love being outdoors especially on my motorcycle! You will see me coming to most of my lessons on the bike, and I do a lot of car/motorcycle mechanic work on the side along. I am currently enrolled in Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and will graduate in January 2025. I have had my CPR/First Aid certification since I turned 18 and have pretty much kept up on renewing it each time. I hope to be able to inspire your little youngsters or anyone to follow their passions!
Hey there! My name is MiKayla, I just started initially swim instructing but have been swimming and playing waterpolo for most of my life. I am currently living in Orlando but am originally from California. I love being outdoors especially on my motorcycle! You will see me coming to most of my lessons on the bike, and I do a lot of car/motorcycle mechanic work on the side along. I am currently enrolled in Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and will graduate in January 2025. I have had my CPR/First Aid certification since I turned 18 and have pretty much kept up on renewing it each time. I hope to be able to inspire your little youngsters or anyone to follow their passions!
Sophia
Instructor - Orlando
Hi, I'm Sophia! I have been a swimmer and a swim instructor for 4 years. Additionally, I have experience as lifeguard, and I competitively swam for water polo. I currently attend Florida State University as a nursing major, with hopes of becoming a travel nurse within the next few years. I believe pool safety is super important, and I have a real passion to teach all ages this amazing skill of swimming!
Hi, I'm Sophia! I have been a swimmer and a swim instructor for 4 years. Additionally, I have experience as lifeguard, and I competitively swam for water polo. I currently attend Florida State University as a nursing major, with hopes of becoming a travel nurse within the next few years. I believe pool safety is super important, and I have a real passion to teach all ages this amazing skill of swimming!
Richard
Instructor - St. Pete
Hi, I'm Richard! I was born and raised in St.Pete Fl, and I recently just started living here again after being in the marines. I was a swim instructor at the YMCA from 2019 to 2020 and I absolutely loved it, so I figured I’d get back into it. I look forward to working with you!
Hi, I'm Richard! I was born and raised in St.Pete Fl, and I recently just started living here again after being in the marines. I was a swim instructor at the YMCA from 2019 to 2020 and I absolutely loved it, so I figured I’d get back into it. I look forward to working with you!
Thalia
Substitute Instructor - Tampa
Hi, I'm Thalia! I am currently completing my undergrad general education, with plans to transition to USF for nursing school. In my free time I enjoy going to the beach and spending time with my family. I'm excited to teach swimming lessons so that your little ones are able to enjoy the water as much as I do!
Hi, I'm Thalia! I am currently completing my undergrad general education, with plans to transition to USF for nursing school. In my free time I enjoy going to the beach and spending time with my family. I'm excited to teach swimming lessons so that your little ones are able to enjoy the water as much as I do!
KK
Instructor - North Hollywood
Hey, I go by Teacher KK and I am a teaching artist from Madison, WI! Since I was young I wanted to be independent and adventurous in the water. By 2018, I became a Professional and Waterfront Lifeguard, leading to my first experience teaching swim lessons. I call myself an artist, activist, dancer and coach because I use my passions to inspire and educate others. Let's get to work making your favorite beaches, pools and lakes safe, fun places for everyone!
Hey, I go by Teacher KK and I am a teaching artist from Madison, WI! Since I was young I wanted to be independent and adventurous in the water. By 2018, I became a Professional and Waterfront Lifeguard, leading to my first experience teaching swim lessons. I call myself an artist, activist, dancer and coach because I use my passions to inspire and educate others. Let's get to work making your favorite beaches, pools and lakes safe, fun places for everyone!
Emily
Instructor - North Hollywood
Hi, I’m Emily! I have been a swim instructor since 2015. I grew up as a dancer and then went on to teaching at my dance studio. I graduated in 2021 with a BFA in Acting from AMDA College of the Performing Arts. I love the water and I absolutely love teaching!
Hi, I’m Emily! I have been a swim instructor since 2015. I grew up as a dancer and then went on to teaching at my dance studio. I graduated in 2021 with a BFA in Acting from AMDA College of the Performing Arts. I love the water and I absolutely love teaching!
Diana
Instructor - North Hollywood
Hi, I'm Diana! I have been in aquatics for 2 years teaching swim lessons. I am going to California State University, majoring in criminal justice. I love to help people, spread positivity, and I am a good leader. I believe that learning and knowing to swim is very important, especially for safety reasons. I have great passion for teaching kids how to swim and enjoy the water!
Hi, I'm Diana! I have been in aquatics for 2 years teaching swim lessons. I am going to California State University, majoring in criminal justice. I love to help people, spread positivity, and I am a good leader. I believe that learning and knowing to swim is very important, especially for safety reasons. I have great passion for teaching kids how to swim and enjoy the water!