Building Courage, Strength, and Resiliency

We are an independent swim program specializing in customizing lessons based on individual needs by focusing on Safety, Stroke Development, and Open Water Swimming

Owner Mrs Whitney in her element, even in March!

More info about Mrs Whitney on our page Meet the Queen of the Mermaids 

Miss Carissa

Miss Carissa worked at the Y as a swim instructor for 2 years, and simultaneously as a lifeguard for 3 years, and she is on her 2nd season with TC Mermaid. She first learned true stroke techniques from Mrs Whitney when she started at the Y, so she has a great foundation! She pushed herself to learn breaststroke kick, butterfly, and flip turns and loved to work on her deep water skills. Miss Carissa excels in teaching children ages 4-10 with the beginner to intermediate groups, and is honing her skills with the under 4 age group!

Miss Hope

Hope is a southern California native, who has always felt most at home in or by the water. Growing up, Hope swam competitively for over 10 years and also swam on her High School team. She was a lifeguarding at 15, then completed the American Red Cross certification to become a Water Safety Instructor at 16 years old. Over the years, she has taught swimming lessons to over 600 children, ages from 2-14 years old. She also holds a current certification for First Aid, CPR & AED by the American Red Cross.

Hope received a Bachelor of Science degree in Management at Purdue University, then moved back to CA after graduation. After living in Los Angeles, New York City and London, England, she settled in Traverse City last year to be closer to family. Hope loves being able to spend more time in nature, enjoys paddle boarding on Cedar Lake, doing yoga, lap swimming and running. She completed her first Triathlon this past summer and cannot wait to complete another!

Hope believes in a holistic approach to teaching – meeting the individual where they are at and adapting the lesson to their needs, every single day. Helping people conquer their fear of the water, as well as helping them develop their skills is the best job EVER! She is a big advocate of water safety and believes you are never too young or old to learn new skills. Hope is excited to partner with Whitney + TC Mermaid and cannot wait to make a splash with you!!!

“Coach” Tony

Coach Tony has followed a new course in life that many can only dream of—-

he has moved to Maui! He was presented with an opportunity of a lifetime and took it, and we are incredibly happy for him. His wife Rebecca and youngest daughter Alex are joining him in paradise. You may still see them from time to time as they continue to train their triathletes and do occasional swim clinics here with us in Traverse City. Congratulations Tony!

Our favorite gal Miss Natalia has moved to North Carolina for Physician Assistant School, so you won’t be seeing her summer 2022. Wish her luck with her studies!