Highlights 2009

Kristi Jordan-An elite runner who started lessons while healing from a running injury. She works with me once a month and trains weekly with BAM (Boulder Aquatic Masters).
Over the course of a year, she advanced a lane, participated in swim meets, open water swims and learned how to breathe efficiently. In her words:
“I had a phenomenal swim this morning!!!! Definitely a shift in my breathing since our meeting yesterday. I was swimming up over the top of the guys and they kept complaining about how hard the set was. I was relaxed! I realized that before, I would breath in as much air as I could with every breath and then I had to forcefully exhale to make room for more on the next breath. This morning, I felt a more relaxed inhale AND exhale and I was fine! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Quinn Adams and Rosa Gomez-Both these girls had a great summer season. While Rosa, age 13 will continue to swim with the Mesa swim team during the summer season, Quinn, age 12 has moved on to year-round swimming with coach Grant Hallicky at Rallysport. Both are swimming strong, continue to love swimming and their strokes are solid as a result of their dedication to working on technique since they were nine years old.

Sebastian Harvey-Age 14, another Mesa Swim team member also recently joined a year round swim team. In his first meet, he dropped significant time in every event he swam. I have watched this young man transform himself from a strong swimmer to an exceptional one. Swimming efficiently came fairly easy to him. His growth this year was in learning how to race hard, work hard in practice and perform well under pressure. As a result, he carries himself in a brand new way-walking tall and confident. It is as if he figured out how to claim his true gifts both as an athlete and a person

Lara-Age 3, is able to blow bubbles and float on her back. A reduced lesson time, wetsuit and pulling a mermaid on a string helped her turn the corner shortly after her birthday. This inquisitive, bright eyed and happy little girl loves the water. It's not something I see often. Where she goes with that love will be fun to witness and nurture.

Highlights 2008

Kaj Harvey-age 8. This little boy had a spectacular season. He brought home so many blue ribbons from each meet that I lost count, including a first place trophy from the Penthalon. He also had a successful Finals meet and just missed out on high point. Kaj worked hard all year in his lessons and with his Mom and it truly paid off.
The experience was a tremendous confidence boost and true testament to the merits of working hard for something. He did not start from a position of strength either. He had focus issues, processing challenges and coordination difficulties to surmount.

Diana Russell-age 55. After committing to a year of working on her stroke, she was able to complete her first sprint triathlon with ease in comparison to her first experience of vomiting blood due to her anxiety of being in open water. She is one tough lady that learned how to transform her stroke to one of efficiency instead of muscling. As a former body builder that was not an easy task. Her tenacious nature, commitment to practice is what got her there. Her new focus is speed now that she has better form!

Nathan Lenssen-age 17. A student of mine for years who truly came into his own this season. He had a stellar high school season, including swimming on the record setting All-American relay team and surpassing his time goal for the State meet as well as for Finals.
At Finals, he swam to a four second victory in the 100 meter breaststroke and synched high point. This is a young man who went from being a mediocre swimmer to someone who used hard work, good coaching from his various high school coaches, technique work, weights and crew training to elevate himself to an entirely new level. He also used personal motivation and mental toughness to transfer himself into a powerful and accomplished swimmer. The last two years have shown him what is possible; so that now he is considering swimming competitively in college. His younger brothers aren't far behind him now that he has paved the way!

Erin-age 27. Her accomplishment this year has been to stick with an exercise program despite ups and downs due to set backs because of work, her body and the resistance of her mind. This is a woman who came to me to learn how to breathe more comfortably and swim laps to heal her knee post surgery. Now, she is able to swim for an hour straight, trains outdoors on her road bike, hikes and is back to running. What I appreciate about Erin is her willingness to keep going and to reach out for support when she needs it. She is now able to experience the merits of a life long commitment to exercise as a way of life.

Highlights 2007

Daniel Howard-age 17. Daniel began lessons with me when he was 9 years old. His parents recognized early on that he needed help. He was always willing but his body did not make it easy for him to improve. He arrived at a place of mastery as a result of the long term commitment he made to his technique. He went from being a very uncoordinated and inefficient swimmer to becoming extremely powerful and graceful swimmer. As a result, he went to States in breaststroke and finished out his last summer at Mesa as the Boys Swimmer of the Year. He set many League and Mesa records as well as inspired numerous young swimmers. His remarkable improvement did not go unnoticed.

Marc Krimstock-age 12. Once again, Marc won High Point for the 4th consecutive year. He carries legendary status on the Mesa team. He continues to walk (swim) in his brother's footsteps and truly holds his own. He is the only student to have ever done this!

Courtney Roeber-age 8. We worked together for a Spring session and that is all this little girl needed to set her in the right direction. Her amazing determination and natural ability allowed her to have a very successful summer season.

Grant Freeman-age 6
His Mom says it quite well......

I just wanted to thank you – very much – for teaching Grant to swim and in the process dramatically increasing his self-esteem and confidence. He has had a wonderful time this summer swimming in his first two swim meets and, most importantly, finding enormous joy simply playing in the water. This simply would not be possible without you. We have been referring friends to you although we realize you have many, many fans in Boulder.

Highlights 2006

At the 2006 Boulder Valley Summer Swim League (BVSSL) Championship Finals, the following students were high point scorers:

Alex West-age 9-10 (co-winner). He worked all year with me and this was his goal inspired by Marc Krimstock. He exemplifies the saying "no pain, no gain." He learned the value and importance of body awareness, concentration and patience.

Marc Krimstock-age 11-12 (co-winner) (3rd consecutive year) In his typical style, despite some personal doubts prior to finals, he delivered results when it counts most. He had personal bests in each of his events.

Ryan Coyle-age 13-14 (co-winner) Once Ryan learned some stroke techniques; he has been on the fast track ever since making significant improvements every year

Other students faired well including Beth S, age 32, whose goal was to complete the Danskin triathlon. She overcame fear of the water and a short time frame to learn how to swim to reach her goal successfully.

Daniel S, age 29, had more time to prepare for his fall Ironman and he too reached his goal to become more efficient and more comfortable during the swim portion.

Sandy M, age 49, was using a snorkel for swimming when she first started lessons. This summer she swam her first open water event in the Hudson River without a snorkel. She improved by leaps and bounds to accomplish this feat, including rehabilitating her challenged lungs!

Catherine M, age 45, an adult who had traumatic ocean experiences to overcome, started lessons this summer. She is just beginning to swim laps after working extremely hard to release the fear deeply locked in her body. Her dedication to practice 3 times a week and courage helped bring her to this point.

Nick, age 4, is no longer afraid of the water and uses his arms and legs as well as blows bubbles. His 15-minute lessons paid off and now is ready to go. Overcoming his lack of trust was his big accomplishment.

Highlights 2005

At the 2005 Boulder Valley Summer Swim League (BVSSL) Championshio Finals, the following students were high point scorers (must win 3 individual events):

Marc Krimstock  age 9-10 (2nd time). He also set league records in the 200 free, 100 IM and team records in the 50, 100, 200 free, 50 breast and 100 IM.

Kaley Wheless age 11-12 (3rd consecutive year)

Alex Scrimgeour age 13-14 (2nd time)

Alisa Yamasaki age 15-18 Female Swimmer of the Year

Of my adult students,  Mike Brown , age 34 went from being terrified of standing in water to swimming one mile in 40 minutes. He now swims the breastroke for one mile on a weekly basis. His next goal is to master freestyle and backstroke.

Of  my younger students, Shayla G. , age 8, was successful in putting her head under water and starting to swim comfortably on her own. She went from tears and severe anxiety over just having her bathing cap on while sitting on the deck to rediscoveirng the wonders of water. A traumatic swimming accident in the ocean when she was younger is what she had to overcome.  Her breakthrough she claims has "changed her life!"

Highlights 2004

At the 2004 Boulder Valley Summer Swim League (BVSSL) Championship Finals, the following students were high point scorers (must win 3 individual levels):

Jamie Koch – 8-under

Kaley Wheless – 11-12 (second consecutive year)

In addition, Ryan Coyle had a fabulous season, setting several personal records and taking many first places. He almost won high point at Finals with a first in the 100 IM, 50 fly and second in 50 yd free.

Ashley Litoff and Lily Valentine, both age 7, swam their first summer league season with the Mesa Swim team and loved it. They met each other at practice and became instant best friends. Now their lessons are back to back during the school year.

Kitty Flynn, age 50, gave herself swimming lessons for her 50th birthday. She not only learned to swim but also completed her first open-water swim in the Danskin Triathlon!

Ruth Balster, age 48, came to me because she did not know how to swim without a mask and she was afraid of deep water and water in general. Her process was amazing.
In the beginning, she had to work a friend of mine who is a physical therapist in order to learn how to roll properly both directions. Her core was her weakness. Once she strengthened her core, she progressed quickly! Now she tells the rest of the story:

Just wanted to let you know that I completed my scuba lessons and got certified in mid-November. I went down to Key Largo with a group from the scuba shop, as Ed was in NY with his mother that weekend and it seemed like the only time I might be able to work it in before our trip to the Bahamas in January. The water was very choppy and the first time I got in, I had to get out and didn't think I was going to do it. They then redid their tag lines to the bouys (which they did every dive after that) and after a bit I got back in and was fine. SO . . .it was a great accomplishment!! As a matter of fact, in class, the first thing we had to do was swim the length of the pool back and forth 6 times (he did let me use my fins, but I had to go 8 times). Then, we had to tread water for 10 minutes, but we could float or swim or do whatever, just to stay up – that was probably the hardest part, but I managed to do it all.

So . . . thanks so much for your patience and great lesson giving - I'm so excited to go diving in the Bahamas, where I know it will be 10 times better than it was in Florida.

— Ruth Balster

Highlights 2003

At the 2003 Boulder Valley Summer Swim League (BVSSL) Final Championships, the following students were high point scorers (must win at least 3 individual events):

• Jacqueline Malcolm Peck – for 8-under
• Kaley Wheless – for 9–10
• Alexandra Scrimgeor – for 11–12
• Stephanie Fellows– for 13–14
• Marc Krimstock – for 8-under *
• David Krimstock – 11–12 *

* Second consecutive year

In addition, Julie Giehl, age 14, had a phenomenal summer season, as did David Krimstock, age 12.

Julie Giehl swam undefeated and discovered that she has power, strength and speed. Her success gave her confidence to move on to year-round swimming. She continues to keep improving and demonstrating that her potential has yet to be fulfilled.

As her mom put it, "Julie's brother and sister have aleays been successful at the sports they've tried and Julie has struggled. This season has been incredible and we are so proud of her – but she would not be where she is now without your help – and for that we are very grateful."

David Krimstock has also moved on to year-round swimming with Rally, but not before he broke twelve Mesa records and six league records at finals. David set out with specific goals at the start of the summer season and systematically he either met or exceeded his goals as the season progressed. His determination, dedication and modesty are an example for many.

Marc Krimstock also broke four Mesa and 2 League records.

Cindy Clay, age 31, is a beginning triathlete who was unable to put her face in the water while swimming, before the Danskin Triathlon. She was extremely tense in the water and could only swim 25 yards before needing to stop. She took 8 classes with me before her race. She successfully completed the swim portion, while swimming freestyle the entire distance. In her words, "I am happy with my results. It was an amazing experience and major accomplishment. . . . I'll probably be thanking you for a long time because you have taught me to be a better swimmer, and helped me understand what it feels like to be graceful in the water."

Highlights 2001

Felicia Leksono set 15 Mesa records, 12 individual and 3 in relays. She had 6 individual league records.

Highlights 2000

Chris Leksono, in his last season with Mesa, set 5 individual Mesa records and 4 league records.