Believing in a philosophy and implementing it, is what Christina Theiss, owner of Swim With Gills, is all about.

Believing that all children can learn to swim, and that swimming saves lives, she formed Swim With Gills.

Now, 37 years later, she wears a blue brimmed cap with the logo “Swim With Gills”. It’s the name of the swim school she opened in 2010. She looks down at the quizzical face in the water below her, gives the broad smile that’s her trademark, and says “you’ll do great, just wait and see”. Her mother nods in agreement, adding ”she’s the best around”.

The years between now and then were filled with challenges Christina never anticipated, rewards she never expected, including the coveted National American Red Cross Merit Lifesaving Award.

"Teaching children to swim involves much more than following a skills check list. It involves relating to the swimmers on their level ... being able to sense their comfort level on any given day....and responding, not reacting, to it."