Our Instructors
Alex Huynen, Ph.D. - Founder, President (She, Her, Hers)
"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 am currently a licenses educational psychologist. I have a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Arizona, a Masters in Education in School Psychology from Alliant International University, and a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in School Psychology from Chapman University.
My goal was 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 halfway 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 all children no matter what their ability.”
Certifications: Life-guard, CPR & First Aid: Infant and Child, First Aid: Adult, Safety Training for Swim Coaches, USA Swim Coach, Swimming with Autism Certified
Jake Huynen - Instructor (He, Him, His)
“I started swimming for Splash Aquatics when I was five years old. I swam at Splash until I reached high school and began playing water polo at Fountain Valley High School. Water polo became my love. I have played water polo for my high school, college, and on a club team. I live in the water and spend my time either at the beach or in the snow! I have taught swim lessons for the last three years. I have also been able to help teach children and adults with a range of disabilities. I currently coach water polo at Ocean view High School and for Riptide.”
Certifications: Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid: Infant, Child, and Adult
Madison Le - Instructor (She, Her, Hers)
“I started swimming in 2005 back when Los Amigos High School held swim lessons during the summer. A year later, I started my 13- year long journey of competitive swim with Riptide in 2006 and then Splash in 2012. Additionally, I swam my first two years of high school (2015-2017) before realizing that I enjoyed coaching more than I did swimming. I started coaching in the summer of 2015. Since then I have had many opportunities to coach at schools like Estancia specializing in basic techniques for beginning swimmers. Currently, I am rekindling my love for the water after having spent so much time outside of it and sharing my love for teaching and instructing.”
Certifications: Heartsaver CPR/AED, First Aid: Infant, Child, and Adult
Nicole Waldschmidt - Instructor (She, Her, Hers)
“I will be a junior this upcoming year at Fountain Valley High School, where I will be playing water polo for the third year. I have swam competitively since I was five years old, which is when I first fell in love with swimming. Through my years swimming, playing water polo, and doing junior guards I have learned so much about being in the water and all about proper swim strokes. I have had such positive experiences on my swim team as I have grown up, and I’m excited to get to share that passion with the kids I coach.”
Evelyn Bezzant - Instructor (She, Her, Hers)
“I graduated from Guajome Park Academy in Vista, California in 2021. I am currently furthering my education in Child Development. I have been swimming since I was little but was never able to compete. I love teaching and working with kids. I have babysat and taken care of kids since I can remember. I am currently working with kids with disabilities and preschoolers at a school in Orange County. I volunteered at Jump Start last year and help on the pool deck and in the water. I am very excited for this swim season!”
Certifications: CPR & First Aid: Infant and Child, Swimming with Autism Certified
Jayme Finnerty - Instructor (She, Her, Hers)
“I started swimming when I was 5 years old on the Green Valley competitive summer league team. I soon fell in love with the sport and joined a club team, I now still swim club for Nova aquatics. I will be a junior next year at Fountain Valley high school, where I also swim on the varsity swim team. Last summer I was able to be a safety aid for the Huntington Beach City Jr lifeguards program, I loved teaching kids to be comfortable in the water, and learn how to be safe while still having fun. I realized I enjoyed working with kids when I began helping my little brother swim in our pool, teaching him first how to swim to the side of the pool if he fell in, to learning the technique of each stroke. Swim has been a huge part of my life, and I look forward to teaching and sharing what I know about the sport.”
Samantha Bell - Instructor (She, Her, Hers)
“Hi, everyone! My name is Samantha Bell and I am so excited to be a part of the Jump Start Swimming team. As a former competitive swimmer for Nova Aquatics, Goldenwest Swim Club and Huntington Beach High School, I am excited to jump back into the pool and help the new generation of swimmers. Throughout my time at HBHS, I was a member of the varsity swim team, Editor-in-Chief of the yearbook and an active member of the student council. After graduating last spring, I headed off to college to pursue my lifelong dream of becoming a journalist and currently attending the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications. I have taught swim lessons for the past two years and have a great deal of experience with children of all ages. Teaching swim lessons has become the highlight of my summer and I love to pass on my love for the water onto others. I'm super excited to dive into this summer with everyone!”