Meriel Mitsakos: 20 Years in the Water!

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Why choose me for swim lessons?

I love swimming and I love kids!

Your kids will be merry swimmers!

  • I am a certified Water Safety Instructor.
  • I am a lifeguard and swim instructor for the City of Santa Monica (Santa Monica Swim Center). Past employment includes Team Santa Monica and the Culver City (Municipal Plunge).
  • I teach swim lessons privately and in groups from ages 4-60.
  • I have taught “Mommy and Me” and water safety classes.
  • I taught Junior Lifeguard prep classes at Mira Costa High School for three years.
  • 20 years of competitive swimming.
  • I have won eight medals in my 10 years as a Junior Olympian.
  • I was captain of the Mira Costa High School swim team and I qualified for CIF all four years, winning a medal at the championships in 2012.
  • I am a National and Regional Gold Medalist, United States Lifeguard Association (USLA) Junior Lifeguards, and winner of multiple medals.

Credentials and Accomplishments

  • Certified in Lifeguarding / First Aid / CPR / AED
  • Certified Water Safety Instructor
  • Certified in blood-borne pathogen and emergency oxygen training.
  • National Gold Medalist, United States Lifeguard Association (USLA) Junior Lifeguards (winner of multiple medals)
  • Regional Gold Medalist, California Surf Lifesaving Association (CSLA) Junior Lifeguards; qualifier since age 10 (won multiple medals)
  • MVP, Los Angeles County Junior Lifeguards
  • Junior Olympian, Southern California Swimming: qualifier for 10 years; won 8 medals
  • CIF Division 2 qualifier, four years; medalist, relay, Mira Costa Varsity Swimming
  • Varsity Letterman, Mira Costa Swim Team
  • High School Record holder
  • Leadership Award, Mira Costa Varsity Swim Team
  • Excellence Award, Mira Costa Varsity Swim Team
  • Most Inspirational, Mira Costa Varsity Swim Team
  • Kai Sports All-America Open Water Swim Racing, First Team (Competed in several open water distance races, including Waikiki Roughwater Swim, Seal Beach swim, Pier-to-Pier)
  • Member of the National Youth Choir; performed at Carnegie Hall
  • Chorister Award, Mira Costa Advanced Women’s Choir