Today we’d like to introduce you to Audrey Keliehor.
Audrey, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As a five year old girl stepping foot into a massive indoor pool in Russia, I was very overwhelmed. It was my first time taking swimming lessons and I remember feeling so nervous. The water scared me, the loud noises of children playing and parents calling out echoed against the indoor walls. My mother had to, quite literally, drag me into the water. I was terrified and so shocked that my mother would force me to do something so scary. I screamed; I kicked and I cried for days leading up to each lesson. But, time heals and as I continued coming to lessons, something magical happened. The water started to make sense. I started to crave the feeling of cool water gliding over my skin; the burning in my legs as all my pent up energy was released with each stroke and I looked forward to pushing myself to perfect my strokes and get faster. Much has changed for me from the terrified little girl learning to swim in Moscow for the first time.
Hello, my name is Audrey Keliehor and I have been a competitive swimmer since I was 7 years old. I started swimming for my elementary school team in Dubai, U.A.E at the age of 7 and I was fortunate to receive kind and progress-oriented instruction.
From that point on, I loved the pool. Since then, I have participated in various school teams and club teams all around the world. The first day I was legally allowed to work, I got a job as a lifeguard and a swim instructor at my local YMCA. I have 8 years of certified YMCA private lesson and group lesson experience which provided me the foundation and autonomy to craft my own lessons tailored to each swimmer and different age groups.
I became a collegiate swimmer at Drew University and ranked within my NCAA championships (2018/2019). I graduated from Drew University with a major in Environmental Sustainability and recently moved to Florida in Fall 2021. With the incredible weather, the need for water safety skills, and access to pools, I knew I wanted to create Audswimmers.
Audswimmers is a travel water therapy, water safety, and swim school that focuses on every child’s needs for development in the pool. I have a passion for the environment and social growth. I believe that knowing how to swim is a basic human skill that can provide a lifetime of confidence and joy.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Every day can be a challenge or an obstacle to overcome; whether it be the inconsistency of Florida weather or the volatility of working with children.
Every day is different and every child is different. The goal of Audswimmers is ” to not only have fun in the pool but protect yourself against the dangers of water”.
Since Audswimmers, I have continued to strengthen my personal skills: levels of patience, circles of communication, intentional engagement, and the importance of shared trust when working with scared or excited children on a daily basis.
The development and growth of a child’s swimming journey can be seen as a challenge or a safety obstacle for families. For me, it is a chance to ease a child and a family’s mind when it comes to Florida’s water.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Audswimmers is not only a swim school but a water safety school. I believe swimming is a fundamental human right and I will train your child to protect themselves against water.
What are your plans for the future?
Audswimmers will continue to grow and will be a diverse swim school that focuses on three different functions:
1.) WaterTherapy: Research shows that water can be a soothing and regulating activity that promotes healthy motor skills. As a swim coach, who also works as a Development Client Coach for kids with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), I offer and will continue to promote swim lessons that serve as water therapy for children.
2.) WaterSafety: Audswimmers will always prioritize water safety and water survival skills in order to decrease child danger around bodies of water.
3.) Swim skills: Audswimmers will continue to equally prioritize proper swimming skills and ensure technical advancements in the water. Audswimmers will always teach with encouragement and positive reinforcement.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/audswimmers_school/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/517116189501430
Image Credits
Melissa Arlena Photography
