The Dolphin Difference


Dolphin Academy Swim School is a classroom in the water. At Dolphin Academy, we specialize in individual stroke instruction, with an emphasis on technique. Using clear and concise technique instructions based on a professionally developed and proven stroke curriculum, Dolphin Academy swimmers can reach any level of swimming they desire.

Our teachers are trained in and out of the water and must shadow experienced instructors before teaching their own classes. Our teachers utilize props, specialized equipment and imagination to capture and hold the children’s attention to stroke details.

Dolphin Academy goes beyond teaching children the basics of water safety. Our students learn to be confident swimmers for life. Traditional swim lessons are designed to teach water safety during one or two weeks. Swim school instruction takes place once a week over an extended period of time to ensure mastery and confidence in the water.

About the Dolphin Owner

Amy Ristroph has been teaching children how to swim for 29 years. She was an instructor and manager with the Dolphin Academy since 2004. Amy has taught swimming through private lessons, summer league swim teams, and her positions as head age group coach for two different USA Swimming sanctioned swim teams: Greater Augusta Swimming and Aiken Augusta Swim League. In addition to her swim instruction experience, Amy competed as a swimmer in college and has a degree in Early Childhood Education. Amy worked as a fifth grade teacher for two years and worked as a Media Specialist for ten years before working full time at their newly opened facility.