Our Mission & Core Values

Our Mission is to develop the skills necessary for a lifetime of swimming in students of all ages, and to create a safe and fun environment in and around water.

All ASA instructors maintain Red Cross Lifeguard Certification while a member of our staff. As part of their orientation, instructors complete at least 40 hours of in the water training with seasoned instructors as they learn the ASA swim curriculum. Each instructor brings their own technique and approach to the classes, making our pools a fun and dynamic learning environment. We are proud of our staff and hope you have a chance to see each and every one of our instructors in action.

Meet the ASA Staff

My family began Atlanta Swim Academy 3 decades ago. Below you can meet my dedicated staff and read bio's on each of them, including me. Please stop by sometime and say hi. If you'd like to become part of a great team, fill out our application!

Brad Grzelka

Brad Grzelka | Vice President

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Bio: Water has played an integral role in my life. As a child I was fortunate enough to have grown up with many opportunities to be in and around the water. My family began Atlanta Swim Academy over 3 decades ago.

Adria Dennis | Lead Senior Group Coach

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Bio: I have always loved the water, and started swimming competitively at 10yrs old in my hometown Watertown, WI. I quickly developed a passion and talent for the sport, and joined an elite year-round club swim team at age 14, in which I had the opportunity to travel to multiple State Competitions, Zone-Regional Meets, Speedo Sectionals, as well as Junior Nationals.

Amanda Carlson | Swim Instructor

Bio: I've been swimming since I was 5 years old. I love being around the water and working with children. I have been year round swimming since I was 8 and swimming has always been a huge part of my life. I am an assistant swim coach of a summer league team in East Cobb. I am also a junior at Lassiter High School and participate on the Lassiter Varsity Swim and Dive Team.

Amy Farrar | Administrative Manager

Bio: I love swim lessons because I believe swimming is one of the most fun and necessary skills a child can learn! I first learned to swim when my Grandpa would throw loose change at the bottom of the pool and tell me I could keep the money if I swam to get it. I started lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons in high school and kept at it throughout college where I worked at the Auburn University Aquatics Center. I've spent the last 4 years managing summer camps and year round outdoor recreation programs for children, which included swimming, boating and sailing lessons.

Ariane Swain | Swim Instructor 

Bio: I grew up in a family who spent every possible moment in the water! Lakes, oceans, pools, it has always been a huge part of our lives! I practically swam before I walked! I began swimming competitively year round very young and continued on into high school. I became a Lifeguard in 2010. In 2011 I began teaching swim lessons and found it is a passion of mine. I’m so excited to be teaching such a wonderful skill, and I’m beyond blessed to be able to do it everyday! I look forward to working with the ASA family!

Ariel Lanier | Swim Administrator

Bio: I am from Atlanta, Georgia and started taking swim lessons at 4 years old. I have always had a love for swimming and being in the water. Having went to college for Athletic Training, I had the opportunity to be around swim teams and athletes and developed a love for the sport and its competition. I am excited at the opportunity to be a part of the ASA family.

Ben Ladinsky | Swim Instructor

Bio: I used to coach gymnastics at a summer camp, and I really enjoyed working with the kids. I love how no matter how bad of a day you are having, the kids can cheer you up every single time. I came to Atlanta Swim Academy to work with kids in a different environment. I feel teaching swimming lessons is a great way to interact with kids and have a fun time learning new skills.

Brian Boone | Swim Instructor/Facility Engineer

 Bio: I've been in and around pools since I was about 5 years old. Summer swim league was always an integral part of my summer breaks, and I even managed to make a few appearances at state meets throughout my swimming career. Even after I outgrew the summer league, I continued my swimming career as an assistant coach to my neighborhood team over the summer months and swam on my high school swim team during the school year. My love for swimming has extended to water polo over the years. I'm excited to be working at a facility where I can be a part of a staff that takes pride in passing on their love for the water to the next generation of swimmers.

Caroline Swenson | Swim Instructor

Bio: I have grown up in Atlanta my whole life and started on swim team at a very young age and continued until middle school. I currently participate in small triathlons and love to be in the water whether I'm competing or just hanging out with friends. I believe all kids should learn to swim and teaching them is awesome. I love being able to see students improve tremendously while at ASA.

Carolyn Fester | Swim Instructor

Bio: My love for swimming started when I as 3, and at 5 I began competing on a Summer league team. I enjoyed both swimming and competition so much, that I started competing on a year round team when I as 9. My passion for swimming lead me to start teaching others in 2006. I am thrilled to combine my love for swimming and kids, while watching them master new and more challenging skills at Atlanta Swim Academy.

Casey Seeley | Swim Instructor / Swim Administrator

Bio: I started swimming at 2 years old, and joined a year round swim team at 8. I continued swimming competitively in high school and became a lifeguard and swim instructor in 2012, and have loved every minute of it. I am very happy and excited to be a part of the Atlanta Swim Academy Family!

Cole Shearer | Swim Instructor

Bio: I started swimming when I was 7 and took swim lessons at Atlanta Swim Academy when I was 12, when I focused on my skills in Sea Lions and Manta Rays. Swimming and enjoying time in the water is one of my favorite pass times. After finishing my lessons at ASA, I began swimming competitively in 2014. I hope to meet you and your swimmers soon!

Collin ODonnell | Swim Instructor/Facility Engineer

Bio: I have always spent a great deal of time in the water swimming; I usually get in a few laps every morning before coming to Atlanta Swim Academy. I swam competitively in high school until I injured my shoulder, but I continued spending time in the water as an assistant coach to my neighborhood swim team. In 2009, I obtained my WSI, lifeguarding, and CPR/AED certifications right here at ASA, and I've been teaching here ever since! When I'm not here, playing Airsoft with friends, and building model ships.

David Milley | Swim Instructor

Bio: I have been swimming as long as I can remember. I first joined a competitive summer swim team when I was 4 years old and swam with them for years. I later joined ASA's swim team and continued swimming for several seasons. When I am not swimming I play drums in the schools marching band, and participate Boy Scouts..

Debi Trelease | Swim Administrator

Bio: Swimming is a fabulous form of exercise to build endurance and skill set. My love of the water began at a young age with annual family vacation trips to the beach. I am excited to be part of the amazing team at ASA.

Dwight Michael Price | Swim Instructor

Bio: I've been swimming for as long as I can remember. I started swimming competitively when I was 8 years old and during the summers. I played baseball for a long time and had to stop swimming, but started again in high school and have done it ever since. Swimming is an important skill to learn because it's fun and is a great way to stay active.

Elizabeth Turner | Swim Instructor

Bio: I have been swimming for 13yrs and began coaching my summer league swim team 3 years ago; 2yrs as an assistant coach and 1yr as a head coach. I spend most of my summer teaching swim lessons and lifeguarding. In the past 2 years I have picked up the sport of Water Polo and play on 3 different teams around the area. I am a senior at Lassiter High and will attend UGA in fall 2015.

Gigi McGaughey | Swim Instructor

Bio: I have been swimming for as long as I can remember and have always had a passion for aquatic sports. I have swam for three different competitive teams including Stingrays and Campbell High School's team. I also have played on two different water polo teams, both coed and girls. I am excited to share my enthusiasm for swimming at ASA.

Grace Caruso | Swim Instructor

Bio: I've always loved the water and have loved to swim for as long as I can remember. I started swimming competitively on a summer league when I was 5 and continued for 8 years. I love working with kids and have helped coach my neighborhood swim team in the past. I'm so excited to be working at ASA!

Grace Motahari | Swim Instructor

Bio: Having grown up in Sandy Springs, I started swimming at a very young age. I’ve always loved being in the water and swam competitively in both summer leagues and year round teams, even making it to State a few times. I’m a proud alumna of Atlanta Swim Academy and look forward to passing on the knowledge and skills I acquired to my students.

Hailey Brower | Swim Instructor

Bio: I grew up in Florida and have been in and around the water my entire life. I started swimming competitively when I was 11 and have not stopped. I think swimming is one of the most important skills a person can have and I am very excited to be teaching it. I am also studying Mechanical Engineering at Kennesaw State University.

Hannah Drilling | Camp Counselor

Bio: I've loved to swim ever since I can remember. I'm currently in the senior group of the ASA swim team and compete year round. I tried many sports before swimming and swimming was the one I enjoyed the most. I'm also on my highschool team that went to state this last year where the girls placed 4th. I look forward to a future in swimming and a lot more memories with ASA.

Hunter Jackson | Swim Instructor

Bio: I loved the water growing up and started swimming when I was 3 years old. When I was a young child, I had difficulty breathing and swimming helped me overcome these struggles. Over the years I have made great friends through swim team when I swam for Stingrays and for Lassiter High School. Swimming has taught me to work hard and set goals for myself.

Jack Jones | Facility Engineer Manager/Swim Instructor/Coach

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Bio: I have enjoyed being in the water for as long as I can remember. I began swimming competitively with my neighborhood summer league when I was 12. I still compete in a Masters swim program and have been doing so for the last 2 years. I love the challenge that swimming offers, both mentally and physically.

Jason King | Camp Lifeguard

Bio: Growing up in Miami, FL, I learned to love the water at a very young age. I learned to swim when I was 2 years old and have been swimming ever since. I spend every free minute I have in the water swimming or participating in other water sports. I enjoy spending time and connecting with kids, encouraging them to love swimming too!

Jenny Kordon | Team Admin / Lead Red & Blue Group Coach

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Bio: I can still remember the swim meet that I broke a minute in the 100 free over 35 years ago. A big milestone in a swimmer’s career. I never dreamed then that I would have the opportunity to be helping young swimmers achieve those same dreams. I come to ASA and the state of Georgia from Minneapolis, MN.

John Cherok | Lead Gold Group Coach

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Bio: Raised in Columbus, Ohio, I started swimming as soon as my parents threw me in the pool at age 6. I swam competitively up to college swimming summer league and age group short course and long course. My best strokes were to 100 breast and the 400 IM. Swimming Masters off and on and now raising a 9yr old girl who is actively into swimming, I've found new desire to pursue coaching as a way to continue the passion of swimming.

Kaitlin Stockwell | Swim Instructor / Camp Counselor 

Bio: Growing up in Warner Robins, GA, my love for swimming started at a young age. My parents couldn't keep me away from the water and at age 2, I started formal swim lessons. A few years later, I joined the year round competitive team. Swimming has always been near and dear to me and I cannot wait to teach this lifelong skill to others.

Kathy Lim Sang | Head Coach / Lead Silver & Bronze Group Coach

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Bio: Kathy hails from the sunny Island of Jamaica. Her husband and two daughters migrated to Marietta in 2008. Both her daughters have been integrally involved in swimming, the younger, at State level, the older, a senior at college.

Kathy is a certified Physical Education Teacher, also having taught English Lang and Lit at High School Level.

Keegan Ford | Camp Lifeguard

Bio: I have been swimming ever since I can remember. I joined ASA's Swim Team when I was 9 years old and am now in the Senior group. You can always find me in the wait, and I can't wait to be an awesome camp counselor and lifeguard.

Lindy Kidd | Swim Instructor

Bio: I grew up in the East Cobb area swimming every year on the Somerset Sharks swim team and started coaching when I was 17. Currently I'm majoring in Early Childhood Education at Kennesaw State. Atlanta Swim Academy allows me to combine both my love for swimming and children.

Lisa Sandler | Swim Program Manager

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Bio: I am honored to be a part of this dynamic and experienced swim staff. I started swimming as an infant and continue to love the water – pool, lake, river, ocean and sea! Growing up I continued to learn to swim at camp, started teaching swimming in 1993, and was a member of Arcadia University’s DIII NCAA swim team from 1995-1999. Teaching kids and individuals of all ages and abilities to swim is so exciting for me and I hope to meet you soon.

Lydia Knight | Swim Instructor

Bio: As a very young child, I began taking swimming lessons and have loved swimming ever since. My family took annual trips to Florida where I put this passion to use, and lived in the tropics overseas later in my childhood where I was able to go swimming all year round- even in the middle of winter! I also greatly enjoy being around kids of all ages and they always brighten my day!

Maddy Vandiver | Swim Instructor

Bio: I have been in water since I was a month old and have loved it ever since. I started lifeguarding in 2014 at White Water as a Wave Pool Guard and swam through high school. I look forward to sharing my love for swimming with everyone.

Mason Sell | Swim Instructor

Bio: I was born in raised in the Marietta area. I have been swimming since the age of 4 when I actually took lessons here to learn how to swim! Since then, I couldn’t get enough of it and even went on to scuba diving, free diving, and swim team from elementary school through part of high school.

Nuna Bamatraf | Swim Instructor

Bio: I started taking lessons at ASA when I was 2 and loved swimming so much, that I joined a competitive team when I was 5. Later, I joined the Lassiter HS swim team as a Freshman, and now have the role of captain as a Senior. I hope to continue my love for swimming in college by studying exercise science and swim at the collegiate level. ASA helped me start on an amazing journey in the pool, and I look forward to sharing this passion with your little swimmers.

Raven Galfas | Swim Instructor

Bio: I have always loved being on the water, ever since I was a young child. Swimming is an important skill for everyone to learn, young and old. I participated in swim team for 6 years and they were some of the best years of my life. My goal is to help kids learn this amazing skill to see all the joys that water can bring.

Shelly Gerding | Swim Administrator

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Bio: I have lived most of my life in Georgia.  I graduated from Berry College in 2005.  I have experience working in both retail and customer service for over 10 years now and I really enjoy it!  I love meeting and getting to know new people who love the excitement of learning.  Watching children learn how to swim always brightens my day. I am very happy to be a part of the staff at ASA.

Stephanie Funk | Graphic Artist

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Bio: Art, family, music and sports have always been important to me. I'm amazed by the levels of fitness and creativity that we can all achieve and am excited to help everyone meet their personal goals.