All Swimming Safari Guides are Red Cross CPR & First Aid certified, and also have 30-40 training hours of the Safari curriculum with the owner, Joani Maskell.
Owner and Founder, Joani Maskell, started teaching lessons in her own backyard, helping neighborhood children learn to swim. She also taught swimming while in college where she earned her B.A. and M.A. in Elementary Education and Special Education. While working with Girl Scout troops throughout the years, she renewed her Red Cross Life Guard, WSI and CPR & First Aid certifications numerous times. She is certified through the U.S. Swim School Association in Infant, Toddler II & III and through AAPAR in Adaptive Aquatics (working with people with disabilities). In 2006, she became certified through the Department of Parks and Recreation in Aquatic Facility Operator. She has taught swimming for over 25 years and is an experienced “Mom.”
Hi, my name is Erika. I’m 21 years old and currently studying Pre-K and Primary Education at UNF. I was born in Ecuador and moved to the United States when I was 12; I am fluent in both English and Spanish. I learned to swim when I was 4 and began competing at 8. I swam for a club team year-round and internationally for the Ecuadorian national team. I also swam for my high school and participated in States for 4 years in a row. I stopped swimming competitively at 18 to focus on college. At Swimming Safari I get to combine two things I love – teaching and swimming; you’ll see me not only in the water, but busy in the office as well. I look forward to sharing the wonderful experience that is Swimming Safari with you and your children!
Hello everyone, my name is Brittany. While you won’t be seeing me in the water, you probably will be corresponding with me over the phone. I’ll be happy to take care of all your scheduling needs and answer any questions you may have! I was introduced to the water at 6 months old and started taking lessons formally at age 5. I swam competitively for summer swim teams since age 6 and year-round until I was 15. When I entered high school I stopped swimming and played Varsity tennis for 4 years. I’m currently a junior at UNF studying Business Marketing. I was hired at Safari initially as a swim instructor but made a transition to the front office in April of 2010. My goal is to make sure everyone has an excellent Swimming Safari experience!
Hi, I’m Sarah. I’m 23 years old and a senior at UNF, majoring in Elementary Education. I started teaching at Swimming Safari in March of 2010. I love working with the kids in the water and watching their progress. I started swimming very young in my neighborhood pool. I also swam on my middle school team and loved every year! I love swimming and now I love teaching and the ability to share the joy of the water. Looking forward to seeing you in the pool!
Hi! My name is Miss Andraya. I have been teaching swimming lessons to children of all ages since I was 16. I’m currently an Elementary Education major at UNF and will be graduating in December of 2010. I love teaching and working with children, especially helping them overcome obstacles they may be struggling with. I look forward to working with your children and helping them become great swimmers!
My name is Gary Myers and I’m a graduate of Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida where I majored in Hospitality Management. I’ve been a Safari Guide for 2 years now and have had the pleasure of teaching children of all ages. It’s a great feeling when I get to watch my students successfully master swimming!
My name is Jimmy and I’m a recent graduate of Florida State University with a degree in psychology. This coming fall I’ll be attending Florida Coastal Law School. In my free time I enjoy playing the guitar as well as writing and recording my own music. One day I hope to become the first person to swim around the world!
My name is Briana and I currently attend Florida State College at Jacksonville. I am majoring in music education and have been playing the violin for 11 years. I enjoy many sports and swimming is one of my favorite. I’ve been on a swim team for 3 years and have been employed with Swimming Safari for 2 years. I absolutely love working with kids and seeing the smiles on their faces when they accomplish their goals. My goal at Swimming Safari is to make sure everyone in the water is having fun while learning new things every class.
My name is Brittany and I am attending Florida State College at Jacksonville as a freshman where I am majoring in Nutrition. I have been a year-round swimmer for 10 years and am a new member of the Safari team. I love working in the water with kids and watching them progress!
Hi! My name is Sam and I am 20 years old. I currently attend Chamberlain School of Nursing, in hopes of becoming a pediatric nurse. Swimming was always a love for me growing up so having the opportunity to teach children how to swim and be able to watch them improve brings great joy to me.
Hi! My name is Madelyn Woods. I’m 23 years old and have been swimming my whole life. I grew up 3 blocks from the ocean and was on a swim team for 7 years. I am a recent graduate of Boston University with a B.A. in Political Science. I speak conversational Italian and American Sign Language and hope to continue my education towards a Ph.D. in Oceanography.
Hi, My name is Scott Garfinkel. I am 23 years old and a recent graduate of the University of Florida, having majored in Sport Management. I consider myself the biggest Gator Fan! This is my first year teaching at Swimming Safari. My goal at Swimming Safari is to teach children and adults new techniques of how to swim while making it fun and enjoyable. I love being around kids and have worked with children before as a camp counselor. I began swimming at a young age and am thrilled to pass my knowledge of swimming to parents, children, and adults!