Our Pod.
1 Location
around Portland, OR
4+ Coaches
Founder / Owner
I am the founder of DolFUN. I am married and a mother Spencer and Bryce, stepmother to Forrest, Jacob and Jessilyn.
I don’t remember learning to swim, I do remember at the age five, my mother being successful at begging the swim team coach to let me on the team. In 1994, I re-discovered my love of the water when I started Aqua-Tot classes with my first son Spencer when he was only 18 months old. A passion was instilled in me to inspire other families with infants on why and how it is safe to bring them back to the water after their birth. My enthusiasm began to grow for educating all ages, all stages and all abilities in the water. I then began my journey in establishing DolFUN SWIM Academy and creating a SAFE, FUN and JOYful aquatic environment where families can gain a positive experience through water safety and learning to swim. I am dedicated for life to passing on the blessings that this wonderful world of water has offered myself and others. I am intent on teaching families about all the layers of drowning prevention and that swimming lessons an important layer of protection.
I am privileged to be surrounded by an amazingly talented, knowledgeable, devoted and loving staff, we graciously call our DolFUN Pod.
I also pass my passion to others through presenting domestically and internationally in such countries as Australia, China, England, Figi, Hawaii, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Vancouver B.C.
United States Swim School Association Member (USSSA). USSSA Infant Toddler Committee Member, coop writer of the course. USSSA Infant Toddler Course Presenter. Swimagine Institute Faculty member.
I joined the DolFUN family after seeing one of Debbie Sayers presentation at the first Baby Fest Expo in Portland. I was amazed at the work that she has done with the development needs of children and how she incorporated those needs appropriately in their swimming lesson even with babies as young as 2 months old. I knew that this was the next step in swimming I was looking for. I started swimming when I was five years old and never really left the water after that. I was on competitive swim teams and then started working as a lifeguard and swim instructor when I was 16. I taught in the Portland Parks program for 7 years, then I moved to Salem where I taught and coached in a Swim America program for 3 years. After moving back to Portland, studying Child and Family Studies at PSU and trying out other things, the water called to me and I started looking for a swim program that would push my knowledge of the water even further. Thus I started working for DolFUN SWIM Academy in 2014.
Seeing how my own children love the water has really been a joy for me. They both love being in the water as much as I do. It keeps pushing me to help all the children that I teach understand how the water can bring them joy in their movement through it. Watching all of our DolFUN families grow and the children’s enthusiasm for swimming develop into a passion is truly amazing.
I have also had the opportunity to become a Certified Lifeguard Trainer through Starfish Aquatics and Community Outreach Coordinator while working for DolFUN. This was an exciting extension of my knowledge of lifeguard practices and first aid/CPR skills and sharing knowledge about safety and drowning prevention.
Certified in First Aid, CPR, Lifeguard Professional Rescue, DolFUN Master Level Certificate. USSSA Infant Toddler Online Course
Katsura has had a love for swimming and experiencing self through interaction in the water before she can even remember. As a teenager she discovered her passion for sharing in knowledge and helping others on their path of discovery. Katsura knew becoming a teacher was the choice for this path. Katsura then began teaching yoga and reiki. Once Katsura discovered DolFUN she was able to share in these two passions, while adding her love of being a part of growth and development for the youth. Katsura joyfully offers a safe, comfortable water experience while sharing in skills to improve strokes through swim swim lessons at DolFUN.
I have had a love of the water my entire life. My father would take myself, 5 sisters and any other kids that wanted to join into the river. Our family has always had a boat, my dad started me on skis at 5 years old and I have been on the water any chance I can get ever since. Swimming at the community pool was also a favorite family activity. I was fortunate at an early age to learn to swim and have a respect for the water.
Being an Aquatic Educator at DolFun Swim Acadamy gives me the opportunity to pass on that joy of the water to others. It is very rewarding to give children confidence in the water and the skills to be safe.
