Learn to swim this summer
wHO WE ARE
Coach Yadi – co Founder, Instructor, Lifeguard, & Trainer
Bringing more than ten years of aquatic experience, Yadi is a passionate swim instructor, certified lifeguard, and the proud co-founder of Mermaid Mom Private Swim. Her journey began in 2012 as a water watcher at "The Swim Academy" in Palm Beach, where her dedication and leadership quickly earned her a management role. Since then, her career has been anchored in her deep belief that swimming is not just a sport — it’s a life-saving skill everyone deserves to learn.
Yadi specializes in teaching students of all ages, from infants as young as 6 months to adults overcoming fear of the water. She has a special gift for working with children with special needs, creating a patient, supportive, and joyful learning environment that builds confidence both in and out of the pool.
In 2017, Yadi and her husband launched Mermaid Mom Private Swim in Lakeland, Florida. What began as a humble two-person operation — Yadi as the sole instructor and her husband as the administrator — has grown into a thriving swim program with five instructors and a full support team, now proudly serving Polk County and surrounding areas.
At the same time, the couple also founded the Mermaid Mom Water Safety Campaign, a powerful outreach initiative dedicated to educating families, schools, and communities about the importance of water safety. Through visits to local schools, daycares, and community events, Yadi and her team actively promote water awareness and safety tips to prevent drowning and accidents before they happen. It’s a mission that goes beyond the pool — it’s about saving lives and building a culture of safety from the ground up.
In addition to her aquatic work, Yadi serves as an IT & AI Business Analyst, blending technical expertise with her drive to make a difference. She is a certified swim instructor and lifeguard, and has proudly participated in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson for two years.
A proud mom to her own three “little mermaids,” Yadi finds peace of mind knowing that each lesson and every outreach event could one day save a life. For her, teaching isn’t just a job — it’s a calling.
Coach Matas – Swim Instructor, Lifeguard & Aquatic Safety Advocate
Coach Matas is a dedicated and passionate swim instructor whose lifelong love for the water began with an unexpected plunge into a pool as a child — a moment that sparked a deep connection to swimming and water safety. With four summers of professional coaching and extensive volunteer experience through Red Cross swim programs, he has taught swimmers of all ages, from toddlers taking their first splash to competitive teens and adults refining their performance.
Matas is certified by Ellis & Associates and the American Red Cross in Lifeguarding, with a strong record of over 30 active and 2 passive water rescues. His dedication to safety and swift response earned him the "I Saved a Life" award from Coral Gables City Hall in Miami, Florida — a testament to his readiness, training, and commitment to protecting lives.
As a former high school swim and water polo team captain, Matas brings a unique balance of patience, technical skill, and motivational leadership to every lesson. Whether he's building confidence in nervous beginners or helping advanced swimmers sharpen their strokes, he meets each student at their level and fosters a positive, empowering learning environment.
For Matas, the pool isn’t just a place for instruction — it’s a space for growth, joy, and transformation. He celebrates every milestone, no matter how small, and finds fulfillment in the progress of each swimmer he teaches.
Coach Linda – Swim Instructor, Infant Specialist, & Lifesaving Advocate
With over 20 years of hands-on experience in the water, Miss Linda is more than a swim instructor — she’s a passionate life-saver, mentor, and lifelong water safety advocate. Her journey began in the most heartfelt of places: lifeguarding at her children’s preschool, where she discovered a calling that would shape the rest of her life. That first splash into the world of swim instruction ignited a fire, and two decades later, she’s still making waves — and still coming home brimming with stories of her students’ amazing progress (much to the amusement of her family!).
Miss Linda is a certified swim instructor and trainer through both SwimAmerica and the American Red Cross, with a powerful specialty in infant swim education. She works with students ranging from babies to school-aged children, creating a nurturing, confidence-building environment that helps them master essential water safety and swim skills. Her deep well of experience also includes working closely with children with special needs, tailoring her lessons with patience, joy, and a heart full of compassion.
For Miss Linda, teaching swim isn’t just a job — it’s her true passion and life’s mission. Each splash, kick, and smile is a reminder of the lives she’s helping to protect and the futures she’s empowering through water safety.
Coach Mickey – Swim Instructor & child-Centered Educator
Coach Mickey is a dedicated and expressive swim instructor with a heart for teaching and a talent for connecting with children. Though swimming wasn't her first sport, it quickly became a powerful part of her educational journey when Coach Mickey introduced her to swim coaching. Already experienced in other forms of instruction, Mickey found joy and growth in stepping into the pool and merging her love of teaching with water safety.
With over a year of hands-on experience, Mickey primarily teaches young swimmers aged 2 to 7, helping them build confidence and skills in a safe, playful, and structured environment. She holds a CPR certification and applies a teaching philosophy rooted in knowledge, trust, and communication. Her goal is not only to teach swimming techniques but to enter her students’ world and make it safer, empowering both swimmers and their families with information and encouragement.
Coach Mickey is especially skilled at working with first-time and nervous swimmers, easing them into the water gently and observing comfort levels with care and patience. She believes progress comes from positive, respectful boundary-pushing, always at the swimmer’s pace. While she enjoys teaching all strokes, she has a special appreciation for the butterfly, admiring the strength and coordination it takes to master.
One of her most treasured teaching moments is the end-of-summer swimming showcase at Girls Inc., where she co-hosts a swim camp and helps young girls present their newfound skills to proud families. It’s the kind of moment she lives for — full of excitement, pride, and proof that confidence grows stroke by stroke.
Above all, Coach Mickey creates a family-friendly, welcoming environment where students feel seen and supported. Parents can expect clear communication and warmth, and children will find a coach who celebrates every small milestone. For Coach Mickey, it’s not just about swimming — it’s about all the little moments in between that make the experience unforgettable.
