Olympic Medalist Amanda Beard joins Emler Swim School grand opening

On Saturday, March 16, Emler Swim School (Emler) in Klahanie celebrated its grand opening with a welcome party that included a special guest, former Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard. Beard attended the event as an Emler ambassador, promoting water safety and early swimming education.

Beard is a seven-time Olympic medalist and owns her own swim school in Gig Harbor. As an ambassador for Emler, Beard is able to expand the reach of her advocacy for water safety.

At the Klahanie grand opening, Beard emphasized the importance of early swimming education, and the role parents play in keeping children safe around water.

“It’s not just about teaching kids how to swim; it’s also about educating parents,” Beard said.
 
Beard believes Emler’s program stands apart because it prioritizes skill development.
 
“We really want to build a strong foundation with the littlest, before they move on to those next levels. So, I think Emler does a really great job where they have set a great foundation to then build upon,” Beard said.

Emler is intentional about helping students and parents understand their swimmer’s level. Emler swim instructor Hailey Kyaw shared that many parents regret not learning to swim at an early age, and they are eager to get their kids into lessons.
 
“We use a level book so that every teacher can use it and let us and the parent know what we’re teaching them,” Kyaw said.

For Beard, water safety is a life skill that can help in everyday activities—not just in the pool.

“We underestimate the power of water and how strong nature is, but also situations like being near a pool or even a bathtub can turn dangerous without proper awareness,” Beard said.

To learn more about Emler’s lessons and offerings, visit Emler’s website here.