Strength and Swim with Savannah

☀️Back float tip!☁️

When teaching back floats, try shading your swimmer’s face from the sun! Bright light can make it tough for little ones to relax, and relaxation is key to floating. While we can’t control the sun in real-life independent swimming scenarios, giving beginners a shaded, calm space helps build confidence and comfort in the water. 🌊

We got a floater over here!

I pride myself on teaching back floats fast by establishing trust with all my swimmers.

If your swimmer is struggling with floats, try getting them to float in the tub with their chin up and ease them into getting their ears in the water. The more comfortable they get with it in the tub, the easier it’ll be to get them doing it confidently on the pool!

When selecting swimsuits this season, prioritize bright, neon colors to enhance visibility and safety in the water. Research indicates that colors like neon yellow, orange, green, and pink are significantly more visible underwater compared to muted tones such as blue, white, or gray, which can blend into the pool environment and become nearly invisible. Definitely consider choosing colors that arent prevelant in your backyard setting.

Visibility is crucial for quickly locating swimmers, especially in emergencies. Bright swimwear and caps can make a substantial difference, allowing lifeguards and parents to spot swimmers more easily. This is particularly important in pools with light-colored bottoms, where certain colors can either stand out or disappear.   

Remember, while vibrant swimwear enhances visibility, it should complement, not replace, vigilant supervision and adherence to water safety practices. Always ensure active monitoring of swimmers to maintain a safe aquatic environment.

Tips for Swim Parents to Be Ready for Every Lesson:

• Always watch the lesson. Swim lessons are a learning experience for parents too—you’ll pick up helpful tips to support your swimmer’s progress!
• Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure. This gives it time to fully absorb, especially important before water activities. Double-check your sunscreen label for specific timing.
• Bring water—for you and your swimmer. Staying hydrated is essential, especially in the heat!
• Pack a snack or treat for after the lesson. It gives your swimmer something to look forward to and helps replenish energy.
• Have a dry towel ready. Even on hot days, getting out of the pool can feel chilly—especially for little swimmers.
• Make sure the pool is clean before entering. Bugs (both dead and alive) can be floating in the water so it’s best to get them out before the lesson, along with leaves, and any other things that might be inside. You won’t believe the things I’ve seen inside pools during lessons, especially after a windy day.

And the final tip (which should go without saying):
Make sure you have a great swim instructor you can trust!

There’s something magical about learning to swim. It’s more than just a skill—it’s confidence in motion, freedom in the water, and a lifelong connection to something bigger than ourselves.

With every stroke and every splash, swim lessons teach more than technique. They teach resilience, patience, and the joy of progress. From the first timid dip to the moment a swimmer glides effortlessly across the pool, each lesson is a step toward strength and self-assurance.

Water has a way of embracing us, reminding us to trust ourselves, breathe deeply, and move with purpose. Whether for safety, sport, or sheer enjoyment, swimming is a gift that lasts a lifetime.

So dive in, keep learning, and let the water inspire you. The best lessons aren’t just about swimming—they’re about believing in yourself.

With so many swim schools & private swim instructors out there, what sets me apart from other Swim Instructors?

Ever thought about what truly qualifies a swim instructor? You know, the person you’re trusting with your child’s safety & skill sets? Most certifications take just one day to earn—with no teaching experience, competitive swim background, familiarly with working with children, or even lifeguard training required. Swim instructors aren’t just teachers, they’re fitness instructors as well! Think about it, swimming is a highly technical, full-body activity—so why aren’t swim instructors required to understand the very muscles and biomechanics they’re teaching? As a perosnal trainer myself, the certs require that we must know exactly how the body works to ensure safe and effective movement, and these certs take awhile to complete with multiple exams and lots of time studying. The same should apply to swim instruction.

Lucky for you, I hold a B.S. in Kinesiology and teach Anatomy & Physiology at UNLV, meaning I don’t just know how to swim—I understand how the body moves, adapts, and performs in (and out of) the water.

Here’s just an idea of what my background offers (more detailed version if you swipe):
✅ Better stroke technique – Reduce strain & improve efficiency
✅ Injury prevention & recovery – Safe movements & proper recovery
✅ Breathing efficiency – Boost endurance & stroke power
✅ Personalized instruction – Tailored lessons for every swimmer because cookie cutter programs don’t work for everyone
✅ Endurance & conditioning – Smarter training for better performance
✅ Water safety & response – Recognizing safety hazards and providing countless ways of prevention

Swimming isn’t just about moving through water—it’s about moving efficiently, safely, and confidently & most importantly? Here at Strength & Swim LV, we make learning all this high quality swimming & safety FUN so that you & your swimmer both look forward to swim lesson time!

Ready to experience the difference? Let’s get started!

Hello Everyone!

My name is Savannah McKie, founder of Strength and Swim LV. I like to think that I am one of the luckiest people on the planet as I get to do what I love the very most for work!

When it comes to water, you’ll always find me near it (or in the gym). Growing up with an ocean view, it’s only natural that I developed a deep love for swimming early on, spending every summer day in the pool or at the beach. It was a no brainer that I chose my first job to be lifeguard and swim instructor.

At 18, I began coaching for Sandpipers of Nevada and stayed with them until I was 21, when I shifted my focus to finishing my degree. A few months later, I proudly earned my Bachelor’s of Science in Kinesiology, the study of human movement—an absolutely perfect fit for swim instruction.

Beyond teaching swim lessons, I’m also a personal trainer (I proudly call myself the “fat & fit” trainer) and an instructor in Anatomy & Physiology at UNLV. My swim lessons stand out not just because of my deep emphasis on water safety, but also because of my ability to teach all ages and levels—from babies to seniors—combined with my extensive knowledge of the human body. I’ll dive deeper into that in another post!

Outside of work, I’m a huge dog lover, so no need to lock up your pups during lesson time—I’m always happy to have them around, at least to say hi!

A huge thank you to everyone who has trusted me so far with their kiddos and themselves—I’m incredibly grateful for this journey and can’t wait to meet even more new faces this season!

Looking forward to seeing you in the water!

Why are quality swim lessons so important? For starters, water covers 71% of our planet—so whether you’re heading on long summer vacation, taking a weekend getaway, or just hanging out at a hotel for a day, chances are, water is part of the plan. Even close to home, pools at friends’ and family’s houses can be tons of fun—but without proper water safety skills, they can also pose serious risks, especially when accidental fall-ins happen. Learning to swim isn’t just about having fun—it’s a life-saving skill that everyone should have!

But great swim lessons go beyond just learning how to swim. The real difference between a good lesson and a great one is the education aspect. A top-notch swim instructor teaches their swimmers (and swimmers parents) not just how to move through the water but also how to respect it—covering essential water safety practices like recognizing potential drowning risks, understanding different water environments, when to use life jackets, the importance of communication between swimmer and parents, and knowing what to do if an emergency arises, which can happen both in and out of the water.

If you haven’t signed up for swim lessons yet, now is the time!

Splish, splash, it’s time to make a splash!
With the heat coming back to Vegas. Swim lesson season is officially here! 🏊‍♀️☀️