Who we are
SWIMBABES™ is a boutique swim school dedicated to personalized, family-centered instruction and lasting success in the water. We’re committed to staying at the forefront of research, teaching methods, and hands-on, practical swim education...
Kelley Robinson, CEO
Meet Kelley Robinson, the dedicated CEO and Director of SWIMBABES™. With over four decades of experience teaching infants and toddlers, Kelley is the current driving force behind the SWIMBABES™ Program. She also oversees the SWIMBABES™ Instructor's Training Program and is the creator of the SynchroBabies™ and SynchroTots™ Infant Program at SWIMBABES™. She, along with her dedicated team, leads Oregon’s most in-demand survival swim training program in the Pacific Northwest.
Kelley’s teaching journey began in 1982 under the mentorship of her mother, Jackie. After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Oregon State University in 1987, Kelley spent a decade teaching grades 3–8 in the public school system — experience that continues to enrich the SWIMBABES™ program today.
In 1996, Kelley officially partnered with Jackie to manage the Milwaukie SWIMBABES™ Training Center, bringing her passion for education and leadership to the heart of the business.
As a mother and grandmother, Kelley understands the critical importance of early swim education — all of her children began their swim journey between 8 and 12 weeks of age.
Her commitment to swim survival education has taken her beyond Oregon, including leading the SWIMBABES™ “Nagoya Stars” on their first international trip to Japan. She has also co-chaired multiple SWIMBABES™ International Workshops, most recently hosting a Special Abilities Workshop in Portland that welcomed attendees from five countries.
Currently Kelley serves as our Intensive Swim Session Teacher focusing on ages 0-7y old.
Together with their team of dedicated professionals, they remain dedicated to advancing research, refining teaching methods, and preserving the proven techniques of infant and toddler survival training. Under Kelley’s leadership, SWIMBABES™ continues to empower young swimmers and promote water safety.
Jackie Young, Founder
Jackie Young was inducted into the prestigious Swimming School Hall of Fame in 2009 — an honor reserved for leaders with over 20 years of service who have made lasting contributions to their communities and the swim industry.
With a remarkable 46-year career, Jackie is a second-generation trainer specializing in Infant Swim Survival, a family tradition spanning more than eight decades. In 1979, she founded the SWIMBABES Team to showcase the capabilities of babies and toddlers in the water while promoting water safety awareness. Over the years, she produced 30 swim shows for children from newborn to age three and established both Blue Ribbon Infant Swim Inc. and SWIMBABES Inc., focusing on instructor training and program development.
Jackie’s influence extends worldwide. She has shared her expertise as an international speaker on Infant/Toddler Swim Survival Safety in countries such as Norway, Sweden, and Austria. In 2006, she hosted the International Baby Swim Professionals Conference in Portland, Oregon, bringing together experts from around the world. In 2015, she co-hosted the SWIMBABES International Workshop on Special Abilities, welcoming attendees from five countries.
In 2008, Jackie led the SWIMBABES International Travel Team on their first overseas trip to Nagoya, Japan — a memorable experience for both families and instructors. As a charter member of the World Aquatic Babies Congress, Jackie remains dedicated to advancing research, sharing knowledge, and strengthening the global swim community.
Beyond her professional impact, Jackie is a proud mother of five, grandmother of nine and now a great grandmother! Her lifelong passion for water safety and education continues to touch lives both locally and around the world.
Our Incredible Teaching Team
At the heart of SWIMBABES is our team of passionate, dedicated teachers who truly love helping children become confident and safe in the water. Every member of our teaching staff brings not just experience—but heart—to each lesson.
Many of our teachers come from within our own community: parents who’ve gone through the program with their own children and discovered a passion for teaching water safety. Their deep connection to our mission is what makes our team so special.
We’re honored to have long-standing, committed teachers who believe in the power of what we do.
Currently, we’re proud to have two other amazing teachers on staff, including the incredible Teacher Kendra and Teacher Allyson.
Teacher Kendra began her SWIMBABES journey as a baby swimmer in our program over 45 years ago! With a background in preschool education and as a mom of four who all graduated through our program, Kendra first worked in our office before training to become a beloved baby swim teacher. Today, she shares her gentle guidance and lifelong connection to our mission with our littlest swimmers, ages 0–3.
Teacher Allyson came to us as a parent of two SWIMBABES™ swimmers and quickly found her calling in the water. With a strong background in gymnastics coaching, Allyson brings energy, structure, and fun to her lessons with children ages 12 months to 8 years.
We are so grateful for our team—and we know your children will feel the love, care, and expertise they bring to every single class.
