Jennifer’s Summer Swim School!

Welcome to Jennifer’s Swim School Summer 2023!

I’m excited to begin the third season of summer swim lessons! The past two years have been so great and I look forward to more this summer.

A bit about me: Hi I’m Jennifer Mercede! Growing up, my passion for being in the water blossomed from time spent jumping from our family boat, swim lessons and long summer days at the beach on Lake Candlewood in Connecticut . At eight I started swimming on the swim team and swam competitively throughout high school. I played waterpolo in college and have swum on my own and with adult teams ever since. Currently, I enjoy swimming in natural bodies of water around Portland including the Willamette and Columbia Rivers! In January 2022 I became the first woman in Oregon to complete an official Ice Mile (that is swimming one mile in water that is 41 F or colder) and in July 2022 swam my longest swim ever, 11 miles down the Willamette as part of the Portland Bridge Swim.

I have been a swim instructor at the Multnomah Athletic Club since 2009. I LOVE KIDS! I work with a variety of ages and abilities, from comfort in the water to swimming distance and stroke technique. I believe that learning to swim and being comfortable in and around water, if not growing to love it, is a very important skill! I’m sure you do too, so…

Let’s get your kids swimming!

What I am offering: I am offering several sessions of lessons for swimmers of all ages & abilities. Students will join for one 25 min lesson per day each day for the length of the session. This summer the sessions range from 3-5 lessons.

WHEN:

Upcoming Sessions :

July 10, 11 & 12
3-day session

10-2:30pm
FULL. Not accepting new students for this session.

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July 19, 20 & 21
3-day session

10-12pm
Sellwood Riverfront Park

OR

1:30-4:30pm
Broughton Beach

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July 24-28
5 day session

10am-12pm
Sellwood Riverfront Park

OR

2:30-6pm
Broughton Beach

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July 31- August 4
5 day session

FULL. Not accepting new students for this session.

Early session 11-2
Sellwood Riverfront Park (Monday) + Private East Moreland Pool Tues-Friday (FULL)

OR

Later session 2:30-5:30
Sellwood Riverfront Park (Monday) + Private East Moreland Pool Tues-Friday (FULL)

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August 28-September 1
5 day session

2:30-6:00

Broughton Beach

A NOTE ABOUT RIVER SWIMMING & THE LOCATIONS

Gaining experience in fresh water is valuable. Kids who learn in the open water, are well equipped then to be around all kinds of water, which also includes a pool. I kind of see it like learning to drive on a manual car.

At both Broughton Beach and Sellwood Riverfront Park there is a gradual decline into the water so kids are always able to stand when necessary. The current is mellow in these protected areas.

At Broughton:

I tend to be closest to the far east entrance from the parking lot. Look for my bouys in the water! I suggest arriving a little early to make sure you find parking ($5 or a year pass for $40). I encourage you to stay, possibly get in the water with your kid so they have even more time practicing what they learned and building confidence in the water. Also fun to play!

At Sellwood:

I’m set up at the bottom of the steps in front of the dock. Look for my bouys in the water! Parking is free.

COST :

Classes are $25 /class /student.
3 class session = $75
4 class session = $100
5 class session = $125

AVAILABLE TIME SLOTS:

I will be teaching 25 minute classes, with a 5 minute transition time built in.

So for example, the July 10-12 session time slots would be 10:00/ 10:30/ 11:00/ 11:30/ 12:00/ 12:30/ 1:00/ 1:30

CLASS SIZE:

Because it’s just me, and I want to be as safe as possible, I will strive to accommodate 2 students of a similar skill level per class. In some cases, there may be a third or even 4th student and in some cases, it may just be one. I will be matching swimmers up based on who registers.

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

Wetsuits: While it is not required, a wetsuit, short or long, can provide some comfort to your child in the cooler waters of the Columbia & Willamette Rivers. I have students who do not wear them and some who do. You know your child’s cold tolerance best. Here’s a link to a Wetsuit Share Board I’ve created to assist families in sharing resources.

TO SIGN UP:

1 Please fill out the form below.

Let me know about your swimmer’s ability. Because I am not meeting with your kids beforehand and because I cannot just pass them to a different instructor if it’s not a good fit, I’m hoping to get a good idea of where they are in the water before our first lesson.

Describe as accurately as you can their comfort & skills in the water. Answer the questions I’ve provided.

*Does not apply if I have already worked with your child.

You will be assigned to a slot in the offered time frame for that session. If you’d like to let me know any preferences, please do and rank them if you’d like. I will definitely try to accommodate, but I cannot guarantee that I’ll be able to. Siblings of different skill levels may be in separate time slots. I will do my best to put them back to back, but again, I cannot guarantee this.

2 Send me a short video of them in the water. This can be in the bathtub at home, a video from them in water last summer. I know this may seem like a pain, but seeing them in the water will help me IMMENSELY when buddying them up and preparing to best assist them. Send to: jmercede@hotmail.com. *If I have worked with your child before, I do not need a video.

I will let you know your time slot 2-3 weeks before the start of the session.

3 Fill out this waiver. I’m CPR/ First Aid / Lifeguard trained & certified. I don’t anticipate anything will happen, but it’s better safe than sorry! *If I have already worked with your child, you don’t need to fill out again.

4 Send payment. Once I receive payment, your lesson is reserved.

I prefer venmo. @jennifer-mercede

Paypal (friends & family) sure1979@hotmail.com or check mailed to me 5715 NE 25th Ave, Portland, OR 97211 works as well.

Prompt payment will secure your registration.

Please keep in mind:

I am not an official organization. This is more of a low key community / friend offering. There are many variables that need to be considered, some that I have control over, some that remain unknown. I want to help as many of your kids get practice swimming and provide skills they can work on. I just ask that you please be understanding with me and flexible in the planning so we can make this work the best for everyone. Thank you in advance for your kindness!

Please feel free to ask any questions to clarify or share any insight you think might be helpful.

Also note: If theses dates or times absolutely do not work, but you are still interested in lessons with me, please email me. Schedule dependent, I offer private lessons. jmercede@hotmail.com

DISCLAIMER

While I will do what I can to minimize possible hazards, these are public beaches in nature. Be prepared as you normally would when visiting such spots.

REGISTRATION FORM

TESTIMONIALS

“Jennifer is an AMAZING teacher! After taking her class, I feel accomplised, because I am a much better swimmer now.” Charlotte - 9 years old

“Nora has loved swim lessons with you. We’re so glad that she’s been able to learn the skills and be so much more comfortable in the water.” - Hannah, Nora’s mom

“Jennifer is an incredibly skilled teacher who is great at matching my student's energy. She is generous and super supportive, which has made a world of difference in my student's enthusiasm. Sophia is eager to improve and we are so fortunate to have found Jennifer to teach her! To quote: "Jennifer gives me a lot of high fives and I really like that". -Samantha, Sophia’s aunt

"Jennifer was so amazing with my girls! She's so incredible with kids and obviously such a professional when it comes to teaching swimming. My girls went from not even wanting to get their faces wet, to swimming with noodles or life jackets and underwater, over the summer, thanks to the confidence and comfort in the water that Jennifer taught them. We can't wait for next summer to do more lessons!" - Tracy, Matilda & Clara’s mom

‘You did such an excellent job increasing their skills and confidence! Thank you! You were also so much fun. Lola got real sad after their last lesson because she wouldn’t see you anymore.’ - Justin, Lola & Peppy’s dad

‘Jennifer is an amazing swim teacher! She helped my 10 year old daughter get comfortable swimming in open water and in just a couple of lessons taught her how to swim freestyle and do the dolphin kick (even some butterfly!) Jen is also a fun teacher who treats kids with respect, an important quality in a teacher.’ -Betty, Satsuki's mom

Thank you & Happy Swimming!