Our Instructors
Alex Huynen - Founder, President
"I swam for Splash Aquatics for 15 years. In 2009, I became a certified swim coach for Splash and I now specialize in stroke development and technique. I have also worked at a preschool/elementary school in Cypress that focuses on children with special needs. I have a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Arizona and a Masters in Education in School Psychology from Alliant International University.
My goal is to develop a nonprofit swim program that is fully inclusive for all children. I have experience teaching children with different abilities and want to build a program at Jump Start Swimming that will work for any child. All children should be water safe.
I am half way to my goal. Jump Start Swimming is a nonprofit organization and we provide lessons to all children who attend our program; however, I am still determined to increase instructor knowledge, techniques, and experience so that all our instructors are able to work with children with special needs. "
Certifications: Life-guard, CPR, First Aid: Infant and Child, First Aid: Adult, Safety Training for Swim Coaches, USA Swim Coach
Elaine Drexler - San Diego Coordinator
"I have been a competitive fish since a child: 12 years swimming at Splash Aquatics, 4 years on the varsity level swim team at Edison High School, and participated in one year of high school water polo. I started coaching swim in 2012 for Splash Aquatics teaching stroke technique and basic swimming skills where I taught for three years. Since 2013, I coach and provide private lessons for Advantage Aquatics in Newport Coast. Furthermore, I have been with Jump Start Swimming since the beginning in 2013 working with clients of all abilities and needs on water safety and stroke development. I am a graduating senior at San Diego State University taking part of their Honors College pursuing a B.A. in Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences and minors in Interdisciplinary Studies and Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience. At San Diego State, I work as a Senior Resident Advisor in a first year residence hall and as a research assistant and student clinician in the Language Development, Disorders, and Diversity Lab. I will be attending a graduate program starting in the Fall of 2016. "
Certifications: Life-guard, Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid: Infant, Child, and Adult, 2014 USA Swim Coach
Andrew Quang - Instructor
"I’ve been swimming for my whole life. Starting off as a little kid at swim lessons, moving on to Splash Aquatics, then finally ending up in four years of varsity swim at Fountain Valley High School. Now I am coaching at Splash, teaching swim skills and techniques to kids of all ages and skill levels. I am currently attending Golden West College studying Administration of Justice. My passion for swim will carry on to my coaching of the sport I love. Swimming should be a necessity to all and shouldn’t be rejected. So! As Dory always says, “Just keep swimming!”
Certifications: Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid: Infant, Child, and Adult.
Kennedy Hood - Instructor
"I have swam for 10 years on various swim teams including, green valley, VFA, Riptide and NOVA. I have also competed varsity all four years on my high school team at Fountain Valley High School. I enjoy working with children and have worked with small groups at my church for 5 years with the pre-school through 2nd grade kids. I have babysat for many years for children of all ages. I am attending Golden West in the fall where I plan to begin studying Occupational Therapy."
Certifications: Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid: Infant, Child, and Adult
Stefanie Goldbach - Instructor
I have swam competitively since I was 4 years old for Golden West Swim Club and then went on to swim and play water polo at Mater Dei High school. Now I am the Captain of the Women’s Water Polo team at University of Redlands. I am studying Communicative Sciences and Disorders, hoping to open my own clinic in the future focusing on children with autism.
Certifications: Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid: Infant, Child, and Adult
Fabiana Peiro - Instructor
"I have been swimming since I could remember and have been a competitive swimmer for 11 years. I have been teaching swim lessons for 8 years to students of all ages and abilities. I just finished my first season as a coach for Special Olympics Swimming in Marshall Minnesota. I am currently pursuing a B.S in Physical Education at Southwest Minnesota State University. My goal after school is to open a summer camp for children with special needs."
Certifications: First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22), Lifeguarding/ First Aid/ CPR/ AED
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