Swimmer of the Month

What is Swimmer of the Month

It is a way to recognize someone who has done something extra special or great, whether is be conquering their fear of diving, opening their eyes in the water or just always giving 110%. We feel that all of our swimmers are amazing and this is a way to share with everyone an achievement no matter how big or small. We celebrate success every week in our classes and we just wanted to broaden the success of some of our students because we believe that they are truly amazing!

Swimmers of the Month

Ashleigh and Tristian Kemp - October 2011

Ashleigh and Tristian started swimming with us September of 2010 at which time they did not swim at all. It was very evident that our model of keeping the class small and the consistency of the same teacher helped these two kids flourish! Their first teacher was Amber Sucharov-Benarroch. Ashleigh and Tristain were so trusting of Amber that they didn't want a helper. Week after week you could see their trust in Amber build and their comfort in the water build. Their comfort level became so great that this fall they started with Piper Riley Thompson.

Here is what Piper had to say about this duo...

Every week Tristian and Ashleigh come to class ready to learn and willing to try new things. Tristian worked very hard on keeping his eyes open under water. Now, Tristian flies through the water with his eyes wide open! Ashleigh is working really hard on her arm circles on her back. She comes to class so excited to polish up her technique and her energy is contagious. They are both incredibly safe while swimming and are very polite while waiting their turn. Tristian and Ashleigh have come so far in their swimming and really deserve this wonderful recognition!

Max White - September 2011

Max White has been selected as swimmer of the month for September. Max started swimming with Aqua Essence when he was about 4 years old. Rishona Hyman has been his primary instructor with Aqua Essence. Max loves the water and was always very comfortable in the water. Max was diving and jumping off high diving boards at a very young age, 4-6 years old. Max, like many swimmers, starting playing hockey and struggling with whip kick, as a result of scheduling, Max took a break from swimming. He has since returned to swim with Aqua Essence and has very specific goals. Max still absolutely loves diving, diving boards and playing in the water. Max has completed level 5 and 6 and is about to receive his level 7 badge! He is well on his way to completing level 10 by March. We are so proud of Max and congratulate him on his success in the water.

Here is what Rishona has to say about Max White.

Max took a break from swimming for a year and is now back and determined to conquer his whip kick, pass level 5 (officially) and complete level 10 by March. In a short time back together Max is swimming 12 laps of front crawl (300 meters) without stopping and has a tremendous amount of power. Max is also focusing extremely hard on his whip kick. I nominated Max as I admire his determination of returning to the pool at the age of 12 to complete his goals. He wants to be a lifeguard and teach swimming. Keep up the fantastic swimming.

Brooke Atnikov - August 2011

Brooke started swimming with Aqua Essence when she was four years old. She has swam with Rishona every since. Brooke has worked really hard to build up her strength and stamina in the water. Her front crawl is now fast and efficient. She spent the summer, working with Sami on her whip kick and is now soaring. Brooke swims on Mondays at Pan-am in a high achieving class where the warm up is 10 laps of front crawl! We are all so proud of Brooke's determination in the water and her personal success. We hope one day she will continue with on in her swimming by maybe dabbling in a competitive swim team or trying out synchronized swimming.

Here is what Sami had to say about Brooke Atnikov:

Brooke's swimming skills have improved so much! Brooke always tries her best and never complains. When giving Brooke feedback on her strokes, she would apply what I told her right away, and she would try it again. In just two weeks, Brooke was able to learn whip kick on her front. Brooke's back crawl has improved so much too; it truly looks amazing from all of the hard work she has put in both inside and outside of class. Brooke completed level 7 this month.

Aidan St. Godard - July 2011

Aidan has been a dedicated swimmer with Aqua Essence for over 3 years now. Aidan enjoys swimming so much that this past year he swam twice a week. Aidan, you hard work has paid off. Aidan has worked with a couple of teachers but his primary instructors have been Lexi van Dyck and Erin Ward.

Erin nominated Aidan as her swimmer of the month for the month of June and had to say this about Aidan…

Aidan has been working very hard this spring and has been concentrating on his front crawl. He can now swim 25m without stopping. Aidan has also been working on his back and is now doing arm circles on his back. Finally, Aidan has improved on his dives and he's moved on from belly flops.

Great work Aidan!

Amira Kowalson - May 2011

Amira Kowalson is 8 years and started swimming with Aqua Essence just two years ago. Amira swims at Bnivital pool and her teacher is Mikaela Garfinkel. Mikaela has always spoken very highly of Amira's hard work and determination. Amira is now starting level 5 and we are really proud of her accomplishments.

Here is what Mikaela had to say about Amira…

She is a very hard worker and has progressed so much this year. Amira started the year in level 1 and now she is in level 5 and doing fantastic.

Well done Amira!

Aidan Julia D'Agui - March 2011

Julia is 5 years old and has been swimming with Aqua Essence for just over two years.  Julia's first teacher was Lexi van Dyck who helped cement Julia's love for the water and this past year Julia was taught by Yael Berkowitz on Saturday mornings at St. James Civic Centre. 

Here is what Yael had to say about Julia...

Julia has come so far this month, she has gained a new confidence in swimming and is trying so hard to do all her swims and floats independently! She is swimming independently from the rope to the wall and loving it! She got her Salamander badge this month and is still working hard! Julia is no longer scared to try new swims, or to swim in the deep end. She is working hard on learning new skills, and practicing the ones she already knows!

Well done Julia!  We are all very proud of your hard work and love of the water!

Greer Shenkarow - February 2011

Greer has been swimming with Aqua Essence Swim Academy for three years and she just turned 4.  Greer was initially taught by Tracey Fingas  and then the last two years by Rachael Floom.  

Here is what Rachael Floom had to say about Greer...

Greer has been swimming so well this month and picking up new skills so quickly! She's just begun arm circles, kneeling dives and dolphin swims and within a time span of two weeks she's doing the skills like she's been practicing them for months.  Her dolphin swim is almost better than my own!  Greer has a clear love of the water and it shows in her lessons because she's always eager to dive for rings and prove to me she is capable of doing the skills that I ask of her. 

We congratulate Greer on her excellent achievements and super hard work!

Brady Klapman - January 2011

Congratulations to Brady - we are super proud of you!

Brady started swimming with Aqua Essence approximately 5 years ago. Brady has had a few teachers over the course of her time with Aqua Essence; primarily Rishona Hyman and currently Alex Mielke. Brady has worked very hard over the years to perfect her front crawl and whip kick. Brady has always enjoyed her swimming lessons and is one of those kids that makes teaching fun! Thank you Brady for being such a great student. Keep up the great swimming as we know you have aspirations of lifeguarding and teaching in the future.

What Alex Mielke had to say...

Every swimming practice Brady puts 110% effort and it makes my teaching a lot more enjoyable. She has recently swam a 300 meter time swim (12 laps). It was great to see because not too long ago 300 meters was something we just talked about in practice. After her big swim she had the biggest smile I had seen after swimming that amount of meters, and not even mentioning that her arms were super sore. Over the past few months Brady was working on her endurance and most of all her efficiency in the water. She has also been perfecting her Breast Stroke from even learning it a few months ago. It looks really good! I'm very proud to be teaching Brady.

Indi Halldorson - December 2010

Congratulations to Indi and her family (no one does it alone)!

Indi started swimming with Aqua Essence last Fall with Rishona in Sea Turtle. They worked all year on Indi's comfort level in the water and by spring she was able to swim 5 meters on her front and was beginning to swim on her back without assistance. She started going in the deep end and doing jumps. During the Spring she worked with Tali Floom where she continued to gain her confidence. Since starting with Rachael Floom, Indi is now doing lengths in the pool. Indi just completed her Whale level in the middle of December.

What Rachael had to say...

Indi tries her very best every class and I can see the effort she's putting into her swimming. Indi listens to everything I say and never complains. She went from swimming small lengths of the shallow end to full lengths of the deep end and her arm circles have come full circle into what's almost front crawl. She loves to swim and has awesome dives. She also tried her best to conquer her fear of the diving board and although she didn't end up jumping she really tried to and still compromised by jumping off the wall beside the diving board. She's a great student!

A couple weeks ago Indi tried out for the Mini Marlins Swim Team and made it! We are so proud of Indi and her swimming accomplishments. We wish her luck swimming with the Marlins!