MARK FENTON, SENIOR COACH & OWNER OF SWIM EXPRESS
Coach Mark Fenton
I am Coach Mark Fenton, and I am so excited that you have considered my program for your swimming education! I am an award-winning swim teacher (2008 Outstanding Teacher Award from the United States Swim School Association) with 20 years of experience, instructing ages ranging from 3 months to 89 years, including among them children with special needs. I am passionate about swimming, and I love to share and nurture that passion within others.
My wife, Jamie, and I founded Swim Express in 2017 with the goal of providing fun, fast, and friendly swim instruction that is personalized to fit your swimmer’s needs and goals.
We strive to break down the barriers that prevent people from enjoying the gift of water, and we hope to do so in an excellent and accessible way!
“I highly recommend Swim Express! My son was swimming confidently on his own at 2 yrs old because of Coach Mark! He is excellent with kids. He made it fun for my son and was so patient with him. Swim Express won’t disappoint!”
WILL PLUEMER, COACH OF SWIM EXPRESS
“We love Coach Will’s patient and calm coaching style. He is a great listener and has gained our son’s trust rather quickly. Our son (age 4 1/2) is not excited about putting his head under the water. Coach Will lets him express himself, has him do it anyway, and our son is still happy after he’s done it. We have seen that our son is getting much more comfortable in the water even after two lessons!”
Coach Will Pluemer
I'm Coach Will Pluemer, and I'm thrilled to be a part of the Swim Express with Coach Mark! I have worked alongside him through many different seasons, and I've enjoyed the privilege of being personally trained by him.
My vast understanding of aquatics training provides the accomplishments necessary for enjoyable and engaging swim instruction. I have twenty years of experience in the field from both lifeguarding throughout Broward and Palm Beach County and teaching swim lessons at a variety of schools and camps. One of my competitive achievements includes being a Florida State Water Polo Champion.
Furthermore, with my BA degree in Theatre, I seek to create a fun and exciting environment, which is especially needed to educate younger children. Needless to say, I love swimming and teaching others to swim. I hope to receive the honor of working with you in the future.
Coach Ashley Podor
As a full-time Elementary ESE Teacher, Coach Ashley Podor brings a new level of coaching to our Swim Express Team. Understanding children with Special Needs, she coaches with a fresh perspective, providing a variety of teaching techniques (verbal, kinesthetic and visual cues) that are effective for swimmers with neurodivergence or physical limitations in the pool. Ashley embarked on the journey as a Swim Instructor in 2020. She sees her role as setting up swimmers for success with a lifetime of safety and enjoyment in the pool.
As a child, Swim Team was her favorite activity, and now as an adult, she has continues to share her love of swimming with her two boys. Ashley loves how swimming brings everyone of all ages together. Children have a level of excitement and energy that breathes a fresh outlook on life. To watch children learn and achieve new skills is exhilarating. Being a part of their swimming journey brings satisfaction to her soul.
Prior to coaching, Coach Ashley earned a Music Performance degree in Flute. She recognized early on that she loved to educate children in more than music and swimming; so she earned her certification in Elementary Education. With her experience in teaching music, reading, math or swimming, Coach Ashley brings the balance of creativity and sensitivity to help children of many backgrounds learn the skills needed for swimming.
“Very very patient and skilled coach, finds approach to all kids, even to those with challenging behaviors :) No wasting time during the lesson, teaching strokes efficiently and paying attention to details. Highly recommend!”
Coach Cindy
As a mom of grown children, combined with her cordial personality, Coach Cindy brings a sweet smile and a kindhearted gentle approach in her coaching-style. Being a mom of competitive swimmers, she became familiar with all aspects of Swim Team. From one parent to another, she seeks to help reach your swimming goals at a pace that suits your parenting style.
With Coach Cindy's array of experience in the water, she offers a unique set of skills and instruction to her lessons. Coach Cindy has been actively involved in swim instruction and water safety for many years, first as a Lifeguard and instructor for the City of Boca Raton, then as an Aquatics Lieutenant. She trained a diverse team of lifeguards and taught Red Cross certification classes in CPR, First Aid, AED, and Water Safety Classes. She has also created swim instruction curriculum programs for all ages. Coach Cindy looks forward to seeing you in the water!
“Great local business! The coach worked patiently with our 3-year-old daughter, gently pushing and cheering her on as she worked through her fear of the water. As a parent of two young children, I loved the convenience of having the coach come to our pool. The office staff were likewise gracious and accommodating when it came to working with us on scheduling issues. The app was also extremely helpful for tracking, communicating, etc. Highly recommend!”
“Very organized company with experienced and professional swim coaches. ”
Meet Our Scheduling Specialists!
The Swim Express Office is an integral part of our team—they keep things running smoothly!
Dawn Andresen
Hello! My name is Dawn and I am a Onboarding Specialist with Swim Express. I grew up here in South Florida, and I have a wonderful husband and two sweet children. In my free time, I enjoy teaching karate classes, rock collecting, doing science experiments with my kids, and playing video games with my hubby. There’s no doubt that you’ll speak with me at some point during your experience with Swim Express—my main responsibilities are scheduling and onboarding new swimmers!
I am super thankful for Swim Express and firmly believe in its mission to make swimming safe and accessible, especially since the coaches taught my children how to swim after we had a close call. Besides that, the Swim Express team feels like family, so it’s a joy to work with them!
Gayle Horn
Greetings! My name is Gayle and I’m a Scheduling Assistant with Swim Express. I grew up in Pompano Beach with three siblings, and I’ve been married for 40 years with two daughters. I have an Associate’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising and my employment background is largely administrative and customer-service oriented, all of which prepared me to work here at Swim Express! My hobbies include organic gardening, gourmet cooking, reading, and outdoor activities; I also love to learn about health and fitness and I love being involved at my church.
My favorite thing about Swim Express is that it emphasizes making each swimmer feel valued, which creates a positive learning environment for swimming fun as an integral part of effectively teaching swimming skills. Furthermore, the working environment itself also reflects this positivity—it is so refreshing and I appreciate it every day!
Jamie Fenton
Hi there—my name is Jamie, and I’m Coach Mark’s wife! Everything “behind the scenes” is my forte with Swim Express as a volunteer. I enjoy keeping everything organized, so that you can have a smooth experience on your swimming journey with us.
Outside of Swim Express, I love being a mom of two energetic boys that are very creative and love to swim. Other passions of mine include playing and teaching piano. I studied Piano Performance at Florida Atlantic University and run another business - Expressive Keys. Music is one of greatest passions, and I thrive in every moment of it. Currently, I teach a handful of music students and volunteer on the worship team at our church, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale.
I believe that Swim Express instills confidence and joy in the lives of our swimmers, improving the quality of life. I’m so grateful that I get to be a part of that process!
Are you a passionate about teaching swimming and would like to join our team?
Or do you have organizational and detailed skills, looking for full-time or part-time work?