OUR STORY

Why We Teach the Way We Teach:

A Story of Change and Results

There was a time when swimming lessons felt like a struggle for both parents and children. The frustration of watching a child cry in the water, not understanding why they weren’t progressing, weighed heavily on April and Adrian. In fact, it was April watching her own child, in tears during lessons, the child you see in the photos above, that became the defining moment for them—a moment when they realized something had to change.

But April's journey to this realization wasn’t without its own struggles. As a young child, she too cried during swimming lessons. She thought it was normal—after all, doesn’t every kid cry when learning something new or difficult? She grew up thinking that it was just part of the process. “There’s no crying in swimming,” she would joke, knowing full well that “there’s no crying in baseball.” But as April progressed in her swim instructor career, witnessing not just her own child’s struggles but seeing the same tears and frustration in many of her students, April knew something needed to change.

She couldn’t accept the idea that learning to swim should be filled with tears, stress, and fear. After witnessing firsthand, the emotional toll it took on her daughter, as well as many other children in lessons, April and Adrian set out on a mission to find a better way.

April, had spent years honing her skills and understanding the needs of each swimmer. Adrian, always the behind-the-scenes problem solver, was determined to eliminate the unnecessary stress that often accompanies swimming lessons. Together, they shared a common goal: to create a method that would allow children, teens, and adults to learn, feel safe, and most importantly—enjoy the process.

One day, after seeing yet another child struggle through a lesson, April and Adrian looked at each other and said, “There has to be a better way.” They wanted to get results without the tears and frustration. They began to dive deeper into the psychology of teaching, researching methods that emphasized trust, patience, and positive reinforcement.

That’s when everything clicked. They developed a student-led teaching method that focused on building trust and empowering swimmers, allowing them to progress at their own pace, based on their own comfort and confidence. This approach doesn’t rush; instead, it nurtures the swimmer’s natural progression, with gentle persuasion, ensuring each individual feels safe and supported.

This new approach quickly started to produce remarkable results. Children who once cried at the thought of getting into the water were now excited and eager to learn. And it didn’t stop there—teens and adults, many of whom had their own fears or traumatic experiences with water, found relief and success using this method. Phoenix Swim Academy became known for helping traumatized and fearful swimmers of all ages regain their confidence in the water, all while enjoying the process.

April and Adrian’s method of teaching was a game-changer. They combined their years of experience with compassion, patience, and a commitment to positive outcomes. Their goal was always clear: to create an environment where swimmers of all ages and abilities could learn, feel empowered, and experience success without fear, frustration, or tears.

Today, the teaching philosophy at Phoenix Swim Academy stands as a testament to their dedication. It’s a philosophy built on the idea that learning should be a fun, fulfilling experience—not one filled with tears. That moment, captured in the photos of their own crying child, was the catalyst that changed everything for April and Adrian. Their daughter, once a fearful swimmer, is now one of their most sought-after instructors, helping others overcome their fears and succeed in the water. They found a better way to teach—and their students’ success proves it every day.

FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED

ADRIAN MATE

APRIL MATE

GUINEVERE MATE

ADILINE MATE