Our Staff at Blue Buoy Swim School
Rather than hiring high school students as needed for a single season, Blue Buoy employs year-round teachers who are 19 years of age and older and with the expectation that they will be here to work with your child for many years to come. Our swim instructors undergo comprehensive theoretical and hands-on training on Blue Buoy’s internationally renowned teaching philosophy and methods and are CPR & First Aid certified. All Blue Buoy pool staff are finger printed through Live Scan.
Meet the Team
Johnny & Cindy
Johnny & Cindy represent three generations (including 2 sons & 6 grandchildren) of Blue Buoy Family. Johnny brings over 55 years of teaching experience at Blue Buoy. He has also coached high school water polo and swimming, synchronized swimming, and taught scuba. Many of Johnny’s students have achieved elite status in competitive swimming and water polo, including seven who have competed in the Olympics or set World Records. Johnny is a charter member and past president of the US Swim School Association and co-author of its Infant Toddler course that has been taken by thousands of instructors world-wide. Johnny & Cindy have been invited to speak on Blue Buoy’s unique philosophy and teaching methodology in Australia, New Zealand, Sweden, Canada, Mexico, and throughout the United States.
Always concerned with water safety, Cindy and Johnny founded the Swim for Life Foundation (SFL) in 2004 and created the Safer 3 Drowning Prevention program. The Safer 3 message is being used throughout the U.S and gaining international recognition. The Safer 3 Early Education Drowning Prevention Program curriculum is being taught in schools districts & preschools across the nation. Both are on the Board of Directors of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA). Johnny is a past president of NDPA and President of the SFL Foundation.
LIKES: Café Rio, Key lime pie DISLIKES: Sushi
Eric
Eric has been Blue Buoy Family since the early 1970’s. He grew up taking lessons with almost every teacher, and was one of the most challenging 2 year old students ever! He became an excellent swimmer, participating in Blue Buoy swim meets for 10 years. Eric continued to swim competitively and played water polo at Villa Park H.S. with All American honors. Later he coached girls’ water polo at Villa Park for four years. Eric began teaching at Blue Buoy in 1991 where he met his wife, Jennifer. His two children (Turner & Emma Atlea) continue the tradition here at Blue Buoy as Instructors. Eric continues to play water polo for SOCAL Masters water polo program.. he is always looking for people to come play!
LIKES: Amazon, Target DISLIKES: fast food he is health nut!
Jeremy
Jeremy has been Blue Buoy Family since the 1970’s. He learned to swim at Blue Buoy, where his mom (Laurie) taught, and also participated in Blue Buoy swim meets. He swam and played water polo at Tustin H.S. Jeremy has taught at Blue Buoy since 1992 and works with all levels, from Parent & Me to advanced stroke technique. Jeremy has also coached for SOCAL and the Tustin H.S. water polo team. Jeremy is our lead photo guy! Check out all the cool underwater photos on Facebook! Many of the videos on Blue Buoy’s website have also been filmed and edited by Jeremy. In his spare time he is chasing his 2 daughters around!
LIKES: Amazon, Target DISLIKES: See’s Candy
Laura
Laura has been Blue Buoy Family since 1998. She taught for nine years and is now our front office supervisor. Laura swam on the Downey Dolphin Swim Team from 1964-1972. She has 2 grown children who also worked at Blue Buoy and 2 grandchildren who learned how to swim at Blue Buoy. She enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with her grandchildren.
LIKES: In N Out, Target, Starbucks, & Zito’s Pizza DISLIKES: Nothing
Adrian
Adrian has been Blue Buoy Family since 2008. As a teenager, he swam and played water polo for Villa Park High School, ORCA, and Santa Ana College. He currently competes and plays in SOCAL’s Masters water polo. He has a BS in Kinesiology from CSUF and is a former Swim Camp Director from Camp James! Adrian has experience coaching high school swimming and water polo. Adrian has been Blue Buoy’s lead teacher in its Aquachievers program for special ability children since 2012. He volunteers with multiple charities including the Max Love Project, Camp Erin, UCP of Orange County and the O.C. Burrito Project. He has received a Certificate of Recognition from the City of Tustin twice for his services. In his spare time, he enjoys listening to music or attending a concert, drawing, and exploring on the beach. LIKES: DISLIKES:
Ian
Ian has been Blue Buoy Family since 2002 when he started swim lessons at Blue Buoy and also participated in the Swim Meets. He swam Varsity for four years on his High School swim team and made it to CIF for the last two years. Ian works with all levels of students and loves to help all the swimmers stay safer in the water. In his spare time he likes to collect vinyl records, listen to music, and hang out with his friends. LIKES: DISLIKES:
Evelin
Evelin has been part of the Blue Buoy Family since 2014. She was on her high school swim and water polo team at Tustin High School. Evelin helps lifeguard pool parties, times swimmers at our swim meets, and helps Blue Buoy swimmers to stay in safer water. In her spare time she enjoys taking pictures, spending time with her dog, bunny, and family! LIKES: DISLIKES:
Beatriz
Beatriz became part of the Blue Buoy Family in 2015. Beatriz was on her high school swim and water polo team at Tustin High School and Fullerton Com. College. She also helped coach Girls Water polo team at Tustin High School. Beatriz has previously lifeguard and taught swimming lessons for the City of Tustin. If she is not teaching she is helping our customers in the Front office at the pool. In her spare time she likes to go surfing, do arts and crafts, or hang out with her friends.
LIKES: In N Out, Target, Sprouts, Coffee DISLIKES: See’s Candy
Turner
Turner has been with Blue Buoy Family since 2000 when he took his first lesson at only 5 weeks old! He grew up taking lessons with Grandpa Johnny, Dad Eric, and “Uncle Jeremy”. Since growing up at Blue Buoy has also participated in the Blue Buoy Swim Meets, World’s Largest Swim Lesson, and Safer 3 events. Turner started teaching lessons with us in 2018 and enjoys working with children of all ages. He has also collaborated/participated in Hip Hop dance workshops for children & adults in the OC and LA area. He has even traveled to Singapore with an international team to dance! In his free time he enjoys working on his bonsai and spending time with his friends and 2 kitties.
LIKES: In N out, Cane’s, Jack in the Box DISLIKES: Chocolate, Coffee, Soda
Emma “Atlea” J.
Emma “Atlea” has been with Blue Buoy Family since 2002 when she took her first lesson at 2 Months! You can see her on the Blue Buoy Truck at 18 Months old swimming with Grandpa Johnny! She has also participated in the Blue Buoy Swim Meets, World’s Largest Swim Lesson, T.V. events,and many Safer 3 events. Emma was on her high school swim and water polo team at Tustin High School. She attended Saddleback College, and studied Japanese. In her spare time she likes to go to the beach, hang with friends, and play with her kitty ” Juni”.
LIKES: Urban Outfitters/ shopping DISLIKES: Chocolate/ Oreos
Rachael J.
Rachael J. has been Blue Buoy Family since 2000 when she took her first lesson at 3 Months old! She grew up taking lessons with her Grandpa Johnny and Uncle Eric and participated in the Swim Meets. She swam for Oceanside Aquatics and was on a Varsity Dance Team at San Marcos High School. She is currently attending Cal State Fullerton and in her spare time likes to spend time with her friends.
LIKES: Chipotle, Starbucks, Dunkin Donut DISLIKES: Nothing
Ally
Ally became part of the Blue Buoy Family in 2018. Ally loves children and is working towards a degree in elementary education. She loves working with children and is passionate about teaching children how to swim. In her free time she enjoys hanging out with her fellow blue buoy friends, going to Disneyland, and spending time with her dog Marci.
LIKES: Trader Joes, In & Out, Olive Garden & sweets
DISLIKES: Nuts, White Chocolate & Seafood
Scott O.
Scott O. became part of the Blue Buoy Family as a water watcher in 2019. Scott was a competitive swimmer and Water Polo goalie at Tustin High School; here his team placed 2nd CIF Champions. He also swam for SOCAL and played Water Polo for SOCAL. Scott is currently attending Saddleback College and is on their Water Polo team. Besides water sports, Scott likes to play basketball, soccer, and baseball. When he not outdoors playing sports he likes to fix computers, listens to music, and just hangs out with his friends and family.
LIKES: Apple/ Best buy DISLIKES: Raisin cookies
Scott P.
Scott P. became part of the Blue Buoy Family in 2019. Scott played Water Polo and was on swim team all four years at El Modena High School. He also swam for ORCA and competed at Junior Olympics. He enjoys helping children accomplish their goals and learning how to do new things. Scott has been working with special ability kids and medically fragile kids since 2014. In his spare time he enjoys being outdoors and doing activities like camping, bouldering, and swimming. A couple of fun facts about Scott, he has 6 siblings and his last name (Pina) means pineapple.
LIKES: In N Out, Chipotle DISLIKES: Starbucks, or Chicken
Lucas.
Lucas became part of the Blue Buoy Family in 2021. He learned to swim here! Lucas swims and plays water polo for Tustin High School. In his spare time he enjoys riding his bike, exercising, and hanging out with family and friends. LIKES: DISLIKES:
Ave
Ave joined the Blue Buoy Family in 2022. Ave was on her high school swim team and captain of her JV and Varsity water polo teams. She also participated on ASB and took leadership roles in organizing assemblies and school dances. She is currently pursuing her AA in Marine Sciences before transferring to a four year. In her spare time she likes to watch movies/new shows or even skate boarding. She has two siblings, a sister and brother. (sister Aalayah taught at Blue Buoy before pursuing her career as a college counselor) . Ave is proud of both of her siblings 🙂
LIKES: Smoothies, Ramen, Starburst, and stickers on Hydroflask
DISLIKES: Raw Pineapple (allergic)
Jazmyn
Jazmyn became part of the Blue Buoy Family in 2022. She has been a swim instructor for 6-7 years previously before joining our family. Jazmyn has taught all ages and levels of swim. She said “teaching is rewarding, especially witnessing the growth of each child in the water and out”. She was the captain for her high school swim team all 4 years. She was also the recipient of the Challenge coin, for her Character, dedication and determination as a student athlete. Her biggest accomplishment was being class valedictorian. She is at UCI pursuing a BA in Biological Sciences with a minor in Medical Anthropology.
LIKES: Coffee, Amazon, Target
DISLIKES:
Abril
Abril joined the Blue Buoy Family in 2023. Abril was on her high school swim team and water polo team. She has her certification in behavioral therapy and has experience with children and adults on the spectrum. “Working with children can be the at times be a challenging job, yet rewarding…. you can never have a bad day”. In her spare time she loves doing arts and crafts, watching movies, doing make up, and cooking. Abril comes from a big family; she is one of twenty one grandchildren.
LIKES: Target, Sephora, Ulta, Canes and Starbucks
DISLIKES: Carl’s Jr.
Chloe K.
Chloe joined the Blue Buoy Family in 2023. She has been swimming since she was 3 years old! Chloe competed on her high school swim team and did 8 years of artistic synchronized swimming with both the Meraquas of Irvine and the La Mirada Aquabelles. She also taught synchronized swimming for over a year. Chloe will be studying 3D Animation in college. In her spare time she loves to bake and going out to dinner with her friends. Fun fact: she has 1 sister and 2 dogs
LIKES: Amazon, Target & Chick-fil-a
DISLIKES: Peanuts and coffee