Our Story
Our Story
Swimming with Confidence started poolside.
A Family of Swimmers
Founder Emily Davis grew up in a family of swimmers. All six of her siblings swam competitively, her parents were USA Swimming officials, and family vacations revolved around swim meets.
Emily swam competitively for nine years and played varsity water polo. She taught her first private lesson at 15, and it grew into a full client list, high school and club coaching, and more than a decade of teaching swimmers from ages 0 to 68.
A Different Path
When her oldest daughter took city swim lessons, the session ended with every child back in floaties. Emily knew her daughter was ready to swim without them, and she realized traditional lessons weren't the right fit for her family.
She taught her husband how to teach their daughter. Once her daughter found that first bit of confidence, everything changed.
How It Began
At the same time, Emily's private lesson waitlist kept growing through word of mouth alone. She was writing out notes for parents and wishing she had videos to send them.
That's where Swimming with Confidence began: helping parents become their child's best swim instructor. Emily has seen firsthand that instructors don't create swimmers. Parents do, through consistent time in the water and the encouragement their kids need.
The Moments That Matter
One of the most meaningful moments of her teaching career came from an Eagle Scout who had experienced water-related trauma. Together they built trust, he earned his swimming merit badge, and he gave Emily his mentor pin.
Today
Emily is a mom of four and has taught hundreds of kids, many of them children traditional lessons didn't work for. She holds a degree in emergency management and an MBA, is pursuing a PhD in organizational leadership, and serves on the Association of Aquatics Professionals Research Committee working on water competency.
Teach Your Child to Swim Together
Everything you need to help your kids build confidence in the water, one playful lesson at a time.