06/10/2026
๐ฅ MEET THE HEART BEHIND MAKAI ๐๐
This weekโs Meet Our Staff feature is all about Tami Nixon, founder and owner of Makai Swim School.
Tamiโs story started in the waters of Hawaiสปi and has grown into more than 50 years of teaching, mentoring, and helping swimmers build confidence in and around the water. She began teaching swim lessons through the American Red Cross at just 12 years old and later became an Aquatics Pool Director before bringing her passion to Napa Valley.
In 1989, Tami opened Makai Swim School as Napaโs first private swim school. Today, Makai serves thousands of families each year while continuing to focus on what has always mattered most: meeting each swimmer where they are and helping them grow with confidence.
From swim instruction and Montessori education to dance, Pilates, and child development, Tami has spent decades building the unique teaching philosophy that continues to shape Makai today.
Her impact reaches far beyond the pool, and weโre so grateful for the knowledge, care, creativity, and leadership she brings to our Makai Ohana every single day. ๐บ
Drop a ๐ below if Tami has been part of your familyโs swim journey!
