Coach Sally Swim and Learn

06/10/2025

Swim lessons for 2025 are on hold until further notice. So sorry but due to unfortunate circumstances, we can’t predict when lessons will resume. Prayers welcomed!

05/24/2025

Swim and Learn Participants!

My husband Paul lost his year and half battle with lung cancer on May 3, 2025. It has been a long jouney with times of special moments of joy and times of great difficulty. I am thankful for him to be out of pain and in his eternal home. So many have supported me through this journey and I sincerely Thank You!

I do plan on offering swim lessons beginning June 9, 2025. If you or someone you know maybe interested in talking to me about swim lessons, please call 904-215-9811. As of now, I do not have a planned out schedule for classes.
The following is how it will work:
- If you would like to talk, call me and we will discuss your situation.
- If after our discussion we decide to have an evaluation session
that will be scheduled.
- A one-time evaluation session is required. A $50.00 fee per child
will be paid upon completion of your 45 minute evaluation
session.
- If we decide to continue with lessons, we will discuss
options/scheduling/pricing for additional lessons.
- If you are interested in lessons for children under the age of 3,
the process maybe different. Please call for more information.

You may also leave me a message with your contact information @swimandlearn.com., and I will return your call as quickly as possible.

Thank you again for your support for so many years.
Praying you have a safe summer making many fun-filled memories.

Coach Sally
904-215-9811

05/08/2025

It is with great sadness that I inform you that Paul Ellis, my husband, passed away peacefully on May 3, 2025 after a long illness. He was a Christian man, loved by many, and will be greatly missed. A Celebration of Paul's Life will be held at the Ortega River Club 4165 Lakeside Dr. Jacksonville, FL 32210 on Sunday, May 18th. Doors will open at 3 pm and the service will begin at 3:30 pm.

Obituary:

Paul Wilson Ellis passed away on May 3, 2025, in Jacksonville, Florida, after being diagnosed with lung cancer in January of 2024. He was born August 8, 1952, to Wilson Ellis and Ruth Hope Millen Ellis.

Paul is survived by his wife, Sally Ellis; daughters Jennifer Ellis (Kyle) and Stacy Dahlgren (Paul); their mother Sandra Ellis and six cherished grandchildren: Jason Stanton, Summer Cuevas, Selena Ellis, Jordan Stanton, Savanna Dahlgren, Paul Dahlgren and one precious great granddaughter Kayden. Stepsons; Michael Gerard (Catherine) and Preston Gerard.

A proud graduate of Robert E. Lee High School, Class of 1970, He was a drummer in the marching band and went on to play the drums in a local band around town. Paul dedicated 32 years of service to the Jacksonville Electric Authority. His commitment and work ethic left a lasting impression on colleagues and the community alike. Following his retirement, he worked as a Contract employee for Southern States, the largest high voltage switch manufacturer of high voltage disconnect switches in the world. With this job, Paul was blessed to travel the United States and do what he loved for 15 years.

Outside of his professional life, Paul found great enjoyment in scuba diving. He received his Scuba Diving Certification then went on to receive Enriched Air Diver, Rescue Diver and Open Water Diver certifications. Again, he was able to travel to beautiful places and enjoy the beauty of creation in the open waters of the world.

He participated in NHRA racing, taking six weeks leave from JEA to work and travel with the Don Garlits racing team. Paul began attending NHRA Gator Nationals in Gainesville, FL in 1970 and continued attending every year until 2025.

He valued his boating time, fishing, water skiing and cruising the waterways around Jacksonville. Paul attended the Ortega River Club and Christian Family Chapel, where he volunteered his time and developed lasting friendships.

May his memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved him. A Celebration of Life service will be held on May 18, 2025, at 3:30 PM at Ortega River Club, 4165 Lakeside Drive. Jacksonville, FLIn lieu of flowers, please make donations to Ortega River Club or Christian Family Chapel, Missions program.

02/21/2024

2024 Sign-Ups Postponed!
It is with a sad heart that I need to postpone publishing my lesson schedule and the opening of swim class registrations. My family is currently in the midst of evaluation of a significant health issue and we hope to know the extent of what we are facing within the next few weeks. I feel that I am not able to initiate the scheduling of classes until I know more about what the future holds.

I hope to be able to teach swim lessons this summer but as of now, I do not know. It breaks my heart to think this will not be a usual summer for me. Swimming lessons have been my "summer life" for 30 years. Through those years I have made many friendships and developed an amazing group of clients who have been faithful to me. Thank you!

As soon as I feel comfortable giving you additional information, I will do so through the website, www.swimandlearn.com, and on our Swim and Learn page.

Your prayers are appreciated.
Coach Sally

01/14/2024

Please see updated post of 2/21/24.

05/26/2023

Splish, splash! Thanks for the tremendous response for classes this season! We are now booking for the end of July and August. If interested in late summer lessons, please go to our website for more information!

05/06/2023

https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/swimming/safe-swimming-week/feature.html

Education and information about National Groundwater Awareness Week and other water observances and celebrations, including weeks or days dedicated to water.

04/30/2023

Swimming Lessons begin tomorrow. We are excited and hope you are, too! Don't forget that we will be communicating via your Captyn account this year, so be sure your information is up to date. We look forward to a fun-filled season with all of our students!

04/04/2023

We are looking for Swim Program Assistants! If you know someone (aged 15-adult) who might be interested, please share this post and have them contact Coach Sally. Below is the job description:
Job Description for Swim Lessons Assistant

The person selected for this job is expected to perform functions related to assisting Coach Sally with delivering swim lessons to the clients of the Swim and Learn program. This person shall also be required to interact with children and parents as well as other program staff to ensure an enjoyable and safe experience. The primary location of this job is Coach Sally’s home in Orange Park.

Due to direct engagement of children in this work setting, a background check will be required, unless the employee has a current background check on file with the State of Florida. Appropriate clothing must be worn when on duty.

Specific Duties include, but are not limited to:

Set up for Swimming Lessons
Assist with moving pool cover on & off
Clean bathroom and changing rooms
Set up and put away teaching supplies
Organize daily paperwork
Assist with parking to assure participants are parking appropriately
Erect & remove parking signs
Assist with swim instruction when needed

Swimming Class & Deck Supervision
Assist in recording student's progress thru observation and documenting Coach Sally's feedback
Track students’ progress via electronic means (tablet & Captyn website)
Transfer information to fish charts and apply appropriate stickers
Assist with safety and supervision of children in and around the pool
Supervise siblings on the property to assure they are safe and only in allowed areas
Assist with the diving board and slide safety
Assist with safety video presentations during class

Public Relations
Assemble end of the week information (brochures and coupons) to give out weekly
Take photo of students and develop certificates to be given at end of each week
Serve as an information conduit/resource between parents and program staff, particularly when weather concerns arise

Anticipated Availability May 1 - August 18
Part-time, up to 25 hours per week. Although the hours of this position are variable, on average, this employee will work approximately 1-5 hours per day. Specific days and times will be decided based on need and applicant availability. Swim classes are usually offered between the hours of 9:00 am and 7:00 pm and will sometimes be split into two sessions (morning & early evening).

Salary
Starting wage of $13.00 per hour. The employee’s wages will be reported annually to the IRS.

Experience
Candidate should have experience working with children and the public, work well in busy environments, have strong team skills, be a self-starter and capable of fulfilling job requirements responsibly. This candidate must also have strong communication skills and possess a friendly demeanor.

CPR & First Aid certification is a plus. If the candidate has current certification, please present a copy of your certificate as evidence. If the candidate does not have current certification, it will be required during the course of employment and paid for by the employer.

To Apply
If interested, please contact Sally Ellis by phoning 904-215-9811 or email @ [email protected].

03/02/2023

Thank you for your encouraging words.

02/28/2023

Registration opens at midnight . We have a new system to register 🎉Remember to set up an account in Captyn early so you can register quickly for classes and levels that are preset . See you soon!

02/19/2023

Heads up! Our registration processes have changed. Get ready by reviewing the information on www.swimandlearn.com so that you can register with ease! Looking forward to another great year of swim lessons!