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About Mary

Learn to swim for a LIFEtime of FUN, FITNESS, and SAFETY.

About Me — Mary Landen

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, Calif. I was a "Late Bloomer" when it came to learning to swim. As a child my parents enrolled me in many kinds of swimming lessons (Large Public type, Private, Cntry Club, Small Groups, etc), but I didn't learn until I taught myself to swim in the ocean at Laguna Beach at age 10 (old by today's standards). Soon I could even swim better than most of my peers — most gratifying.

Since then, Swimming has occupied a good part of my life. This start led to competitive swimming on the LA Athletic Club, then the Pasadena Athletic Club teams. Then to Red Cross Lifesaving & Instructor Certifications and teaching in which I have been involved ever since.

I was an honor student all the way through school, and was valedictorian of my High School Class. I attended USC for 2 yrs. Then, later in life I was invited to join Mensa and was on the Dean's List with a 2–yr degree in Early Childhood Education (Child Development) from Saddleback Community College, Mission Viejo CA. I chose this major in an effort to become a more effective swimming instructor.

I have 4 grown children — all taught by me to be good swimmers and 17 grandchildren + 6 "Greats". After my marriage and our first baby, I was introduced to Synchronized Swimming in 1957. I was almost a "pioneer" in Synchro though it had been a competitive AAU Sport since 1945. That was the only swimming class they offered at the Glendale CA YWCA to adult advanced swimmers, so I gave it a try. I fell in love with it. It combines the best of both Swimming and Dancing, and you don't even need a partner — You can swim solos & do your own choreography. My Synchro career, spanned over 25 yrs and included entry in 3 National AAU Open Synchro Meets. I won the Arizona and Intermountain Solo Championships, and especially enjoyed performing in many fun water shows. I also became a certified Synchro Judge (but have not kept this current).

I have pursued my involvement in teaching swimming for over 30 yrs where I developed a specialty with students who have Fear Problems and Special Needs. It is especially gratifying when I see a student overcome a real fear problem, psychological hangup or other challenge. Hardly a teaching day passes that I don't hear some super nice comment on my teaching or swimming. It doesn't get any better than that!

Starting with Lifeguarding and Teaching for the City of LA, I have gone on to teach in a great variety of situations including, but not limited to: Y, City & Rec Dept public type programs, Private Swim Schools, Backyard Pool lessons, etc. I operated my own South (Davis) County Swim School for 8 yrs in UT before moving back to CA. In the Saddleback Valley/Mission Viejo area I was associated with various programs for 10 yrs before branching out on my own with my South (Orange) County Swim School. I like my own program best because, based on what I know works best, I have had the freedom to develop my own program and system that, fully integrated and correlated, lead to the most Satisfaction for all involved (Student, Parent, Teacher).

Now, back in UT, I am once again re–establishing my South (Davis) County Swim School, using my own pool — a first in over 30 yrs teaching in other peoples' pools), but with even more improvements, with the next generation of swimmers.