Meet our Team
Our Swim Instructors
We are always on the hunt for more amazing swim instructors to join our team, if you are interested please get in touch with us!
Brooke
Swim Instructor
Brooke has loved the water from a young age. Starting swimming at just three years old, she quickly developed a love for both the ocean, through surf lifesaving, and leisurely swimming. Over the years, her passion for the water has grown.
She now enjoys helping others discover the same enjoyment and confidence she’s always found in it.
Casey
Swim Instructor
Casey has a passion for the water and loves teaching children to swim. She enjoys watching them grow in confidence and thrive in the water. Casey is a fully qualified NZ and Austswim instructor specialising in Water Safety, infant/pre-school, and higher-need students.
Casey has played and coached many different sports over the years. Casey is married with two active boys and as a family, they love the outdoors.
Finn
Swim Instructor
Ever since Finn was little, he has always appreciated being able to swim in pools, rivers and the ocean. In Primary, Intermediate and High school, he enjoyed competing in swimming sports.
He wants to become a swim instructor because he believes that, whether in a casual, competitive or emergency setting, knowing how to swim safely and confidently in any body of water is key.
Finn is eager to help our students have fun learning, develop confidence in themselves and gain a sense of respect for the water.
Karina
Water Safety Instructor
Karina is a Mum of two girls who love swimming. This July will mark her third year at Dolphin Academy.
As a water safety instructor she is part of the team who takes school classes for the Water Skills for Life programme.
This year she is looking forward to joining Casey teaching preschool learn-to-swim lessons.
She really enjoys teaching children water skills and safety as she believes it is an important life skill.
Julie
Water Safety Instructor
Julie is a mum to two girls who both love being in and around water. As a family who live rurally surrounded by dams, creeks, rivers and a pool she knows how important it is for all kids to learn water safety skills and to be able to swim safely.
Julie is a qualified lifeguard and first aid officer. She really enjoys being a part of the Dolphin Academy Team and loves watching the kids confidence grow through the lessons they receive in the Water Skills for Life programme. She believes every school should partake in this programme.
Lani
Swim Instructor
Lani has been a swimmer for around 11 years, with years of competitive swimming in Taupo, then discovering a passion for long distances in open water, swimming in lakes and oceans. Lani has previously been an instructor at AC Baths in Taupo and is now in Hawke’s Bay studying Fashion at EIT.
She enjoys meeting new people and helping those in need and loves sharing her swimming skills with others.
She is excited about joining Dolphin Academy and is looking forward to helping swimmers achieve their goals.
Abby
Swim Instructor
Abby has been swimming since she was 7 and learned in this very pool, so it feels extra special to now be teaching others here. As a swim teacher, she is all about helping her students feel comfortable and confident in the water, no matter their age or experience level. She loves seeing her students grow, whether they’re just starting out or refining their skills. She aims to work together to make our swimmer’s journey enjoyable and rewarding!
Alisha
Swim Instructor
Alisha has been a swimmer with Greendale swim club for 8 years and enjoys both the competitive and personal development of the sport.
She is really looking forward to seeing the children progress and become more water confident. Passing on her skills and knowledge, she is really excited to be a part of the Dolphin Academy team.
Alisha's motto is to "always strive to do your best”.
Anke
Swim Instructor
Ashleigh
Swim Instructor
Ashleigh is friendly, hard-working, and has a real love for water. She loves playing sport and being active and strives to achieve in everything she does.
Ashleigh loves spending time in the water and is excited to teach the children at Dolphin Academy so they can gain a love for the water too.
Anika
Swim Instructor
Anika is a 21-year-old social work student at EIT. She has a passion for staying active, and enjoys going for long walks and hitting the gym in her spare time. She has a strong desire to work with children which is why this year she has taken on this new role as a swim instructor.
She believes that swimming is an essential skill everyone should master, whether that be to swim competitively or to be able to swim comfortably in some of the beautiful beaches and lakes here in New Zealand.
his year she would love to explore new hobbies like surfing and pilates, further enriching her active lifestyle.
Carmel
Shift Supervisor
Carmel is currently teaching at a local intermediate school and has a strong background in swimming. She represented NZ at the 1984 Olympic Games in backstroke and freestyle and again at the Commonwealth Games in 1986, making finals in her backstroke events.
Carmel is a qualified lifeguard, has customer service and plant room experience. She is looking forward to meeting our swimmers and their families.
Carmel will be another smiling face as you come to swimming each week, working alternate afternoons with Vicky in the office, including Saturday mornings.
Margo Park
Water Safety Instructor (casual)
Vicky
Manager/Co-owner
Vicky is one of four owners of Dolphin Academy and is the Manager. Having initially trained as a Primary School Teacher, Vicky then worked in the event and not-for-profit industry for many years. She has been the face of Dolphin Academy since opening in 2021.
Vicky is passionate about forming great relationships, developing a family-orientated environment and ensuring Dolphin Academy is the best it can be.
As Mum to three busy girls, she knows how important water safety and learning to swim is in Hawke’s Bay.
Paula
Swim Instructor (Casual)
After 20 years of teaching and coaching swimmers, Paula is now semi-retired. She supported her two children as a club parent throughout their competitive years and became an NZS-qualified official. Her journey began at the "Greendale Pool" when her kids were five—her oldest turns 25 this year.
These days, Paula assists at Dolphin Academy when needed and enjoys seeing swimmers progress through their excellent programmes. She hold certifications in Austswim, lifeguarding, and first aid, and she looks forward to working with your swimmers if they’re in one of her classes this year.