LAPSS

“Ann is and has been the swim teacher to all three of my children, Josie, Shea and Jack, not to mention all of my nieces and nephews. My daughters, who are now 17 and 15, have wonderful memories of swim lessons with Ann. We have some great pictures in their bathing caps at the “graduation” ceremonies. Ann still continues to work with my son Jack who is 9. He loves swimming with Ann. Ann possesses that special quality that makes her one of those teachers that will leave a lasting impression with your child.”

Katie Welch
York, Maine
June 2009

“Ann is a truly gifted swimming teacher and a lovely person. My 4 year- old daughter was afraid to put her face in the water and refused to wear goggles. After two lessons with Ann, she was not only able to put her face in the water and wear goggles, but could also swim independently. I have recommended Ann to many parents and they have all been very happy. She is fun, caring and a wonderful teacher.”

Anne Rouse Sudduth
Mom of Claire and Ella

“Living on the coast meant swimming lessons were a “must” for our kids. Ann’s instructional approach has given my kids the skills, safety and confidence to be ocean swimmers. AND here’s the bonus…they looked forward to every lesson and had a blast!“

Jaime Bock

Mom of J.Henrie and Daniel

“As a mother of three girls, ages 10, 9, and 4 and the owner of a swimming pool, swimming is more than just a fun sport to me and my husband. To us, ensuring our girls are strong and confident swimmers is a matter of life and death, an important life skill that is necessary to develop.
I first met Ann in 2007 when, at the time I had a very reluctant 8 year old that was afraid of the water and a 7 year old who couldn’t quite get it all together. We had been through swimming programs in both Maine and NH and experienced only moderate, if any, forward progression for the girls. Additionally, they each had a certain level of fear and an overall lack of confidence in the water. When we started lessons with Ann my expectations were that the experience would be no different from our previous experiences, however, our hope was that with continued persistence the girls would eventually succeed.
When we started our first lesson with Ann I explained the current swimming status of both of our girls to Ann and then left the girls with her, returning 30 minutes later. Upon returning poolside, I was amazed to find two girls who were exceedingly happy and for the first time ever, my oldest daughter was able to jump in the pool, going fully under the water. That is all I could do was cry! The achievement in that one 30 minute lesson in the development of confidence and courage for my girls was remarkable!

Since that time, Ann has continued with both of the older girls and has been working with our littlest daughter since she was just two years old. Ann has developed a love of the water in all three of our children, and has built their confidence in such a way that it not only has served them well in the water, but in other aspects of their overall development as well. Ann has a true gift; she has mastered her skills in teaching and building solid relationships with her students. We have been so blessed to have found Ann.”

Patricia Marsden
Program Director – NE Market Services
603-834-1735

“Ann’s high expectations and gentle encouragement make Grace want to work for her. She has become an excellent and enthusiastic swimmer.”

“Ann makes the children work hard and praises their accomplishments, she is almost as proud as they / we are of their progress.”

“Ann is a fantastic teacher! We have been benefiting from her expertise for years.”

Heather Ciccarelli-Grace’s Mom

York, ME

“Both of my boys took swimming lessons with Ann for years. They would look forward to their time in the pool. I watched as Ann was able to acclimate both boys to the water with lots of patient instruction and fun games. I was impressed with the teaching of the different strokes…and can see Ann’s magic at work even today, as the boys swim and remember all that Ann taught them!
I am glad that Ann was so highly recommended to us from the get go.“

Kaki Webb

“We have been swimming with Ann Grinnell since 1990, when our oldest daughter started swim lessons at LAPSS. She was 4 at the time. She was a very reluctant swimmer, a little afraid of the water, and not sure about lessons at all. Ann let her sit on the side of the pool and watch for almost 2 full lessons, never forcing her to do anything. I was sold — if someone could be this patient and understanding, I was in. Eventually our daughter got in the water, and after that she loved her lessons. She swam with Ann for almost 10 years. Now she is 23. She is a lifeguard, swims for an hour at a time to work out, and has even taught swimming herself. It all started with Ann.

Our next 3 children began swimming with Ann much sooner; by then we were regulars at LAPSS. They were all about 18 months when they started lessons, and were incredible swimmers by the time they were 3 or 4. I’ll never forget when our 3rd child about 2, I think. We were in Florida, spending a good deal of time at the pool. Our daughter would leap into the deep end without a bubble or anything. All the parents on the side of the pool would jump up and gasp, but of course our daughter was fine. She’d pop up like a cork, swim back to the side, and do it again.

I can’t say enough about the importance of swimming lessons, and the value of swimming with Ann. Kids just have to know how to swim, for their own safety. While I am not a fan of putting little kids in ballet or soccer at age 2, I am absolutely a proponent of teaching kids to swim. It’s critical. It’s also fun — and no one makes it more fun than Ann.

I am deeply grateful for all that Ann has taught our children. She is a gem.”

Martha Leathe-Eliot me