Alli Wilbourn - Instructor

“I started swimming competitively at Splash Aquatics when I was four years old then started water polo when I was eight. I played water polo until I was sixteen and did a year of crew in that time. I swam and played water polo at Huntington Beach High School my freshman year and received Most Valuable Player (MVP) in polo. Learning how to swim is a great opportunity and an important life skill. I’ve babysat and volunteered with children for years and really do enjoy being with them. I love photography and adventuring, offroading, traveling, etc. “

Certifications: Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid: Infant, Child, and Adult

Ally Wilcox - Instructor

“I started swimming competitively when I was about eight years old on a summer league team. After my first practice I was hooked. I soon joined a club team which lead me to pursue swimming for Fountain Valley High School. I also joined the water polo team and fell in love with the water all over again. I knew I wanted to continue playing after high school but I also wanted to make sure I had time for my studies. After some thought, I decided to continue my education at Boise State University and join their club water polo team. In addition to aquatics, I have a passion for working with children. I coached on Green Valley Swim Team for about two years. Working with children to improve their stroke and technique is a rewarding task that I enjoy. As I mentioned before, I am currently studying at Boise State University pursuing a sociology degree, with a minor in family studies in addition to a certificate in rehabilitative services. After graduation, I am planning on pursuing a graduate degree in occupational therapy.”

Certifications: Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid: Infant, Child, and Adult

Courtney Walford - Instructor

Hello! My name is Ms. Courtney. I learned how to swim at the age of three. I join swim team by five. Feel in love with the sport so I joined water polo at seven. I’ve also learn to surf at age seven. I became a lifeguard when I was sixteen and haven’t stopped since then. I’ve been a swimming instructor for about ten years now. I’ve taught thousands of infants, adults, seniors and special needs students. Teaching how to become safe in and around water gives me the greatest joy. I don’t ever want to have another job aside from the aquatics field since this is my passion in life.

Certifications: Lifeguard, W.S.I, AED, Blood-borne pathogen‘s, Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA)

Emily Norquist - Instructor

“Living by the ocean, I grew up feeling comfortable and confident in the water. Starting at age 9, I spent my summers in the Huntington Beach Junior Guards program practicing water safety and life-saving techniques. I went to Edison High School and was a member of the Newport Sea Base women’s crew team. I loved spending every day on the water and competing at the national level. I am currently attending the University of Oregon studying human physiology with plans to attend medical school after graduation. “

Certifications: Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid: Infant, Child, and Adult

Grace Galleher - Instructor

“I have always loved being in the water ever since I was a little kid. I have been swimming since I was 4 years old at Los Cab. When I was about 7 years old I joined the NOVA swim team and continued to compete with that team until high school. I completed 7 years of California Junior Lifeguards at Huntington State Beach where we learned life saving techniques and safety training. During high school, I was on the varsity swim and varsity water polo team all four years, while being varsity polo captain my junior and senior year. I also played club water polo for OC Riptide Aquatics for 4 years. I am currently attending California State University of Long Beach where I am studying Psychology.”

Certifications: Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid: Infant, Child, and Adult

Makenna Dubois - Instructor

"I have been swimming since I was 5 years old on summer teams and more competitively throughout grade school on club teams. I attended Fountain Valley High School and was on Varsity all four years there and was captain of the swim team my Junior and Senior years. My coaches both on summer swim teams and in High School made me love the sport and excited to go to practice everyday. It wasn’t a chore; it was a place to work hard but also have a lot of fun.

I am a Senior at Chapman University and pursuing my undergraduate education in Biological Sciences with a minor in Law, Justice, and Social Control. I didn’t swim in college, but kept myself on the pool deck a couple of days a week coaching swimming for Irvine Novaquatics with the Bronze level kiddos throughout my first year of college. I am so excited to work with the kids and teach them about the sport I love so much!"

Certifications: Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid: Infant, Child, and Adult

Monet Favreau - Instructor

"I have been swimming since I was 5 years old on competitive swim teams. I attended Fountain Valley High School and was on Varsity all four years. Swim was a place to work hard, but also have a lot of fun.
I am a Junior at Azusa Pacific University and pursuing my undergraduate education in Liberal Studies with a concentration in biology to become a high school biology teacher. I am currently an athlete on the swim team and compete for the school. I have done lessons with Jump Start Swimming the past two summers and I love doing lessons!! I am excited to teach the kids about the sport I love!"

Certifications: Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid: Infant, Child, and Adult

Savannah Gutierrez - Instructor

“I have always loved being in the water, whether it’s the ocean, a pool, a lake, it is my favorite place to be. Although I was not a competitive swimmer, I took swimming lessons starting as an infant and have always been an incredibly strong swimmer. I love working with kids and have volunteered reading to kids and babysitting for 6 years. I currently attend Utica College in upstate New York and play NCAA ice hockey there. I am pursuing a degree in biology and plan to become a pediatric physician’s assistant.”

Certifications: Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid: Infant, Child, and Adult

Sofia-Marie Jarski - Instructor

“I've loved swimming for as long as I can remember. I've been jumping into pools ever since I was little, and participated in swimming classes almost every year growing up. For over four years, I competed on the Goldenwest Swim Club. I'm the oldest of four kids and have been a professional babysitter for nearly six years. I've also been a teacher's assistant for classrooms and the teen leader for St. Vincent de Paul youth ministry for three years. The beach has always been a happy place for me, and I believe every kid should get the chance to feel at home in the water.”

Certifications: Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid: Infant, Child, and Adult