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Meet the Swim Staff


Emilly Kays

Emilly Kays

Swim Training Director, Partner, Lifeguard Instructor, Snorkel Instructor

Teaching swimming since 2013

What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? My favorite thing about teaching swimming is helping a student accomplish something that at first feels tricky. That moment when everything comes together and you can see their sense of accomplishment is magical every time.


What is your favorite dive destination and why? Since becoming part of the Denver Divers family I have had life changing opportunities to travel around the word scuba diving. My favorite place I have been is Cabo Pulmo. I dove with schooling Mobula Ray's and sharks!

Cheryl Klatt

Cheryl Klatt

Swim Operations Manager, Swim Teacher (All Levels), Snorkel Instructor

Teaching since 2014

When and where did you first learn to swim? I first learned to swim when I was about 4 at our local community center in California.


What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? There's nothing more satisfying than teaching a child and being able to watch them develop over time, not only with their swimming ability but also as a person. Being a swimming teacher gives you countless opportunities to make an impact on a child's life, easily making this of the most rewarding jobs around.

Judyann Cummings

Judyann Cummings

Swim Teacher (Stroke Development)

Teaching since 2002

What is your favorite underwater memory? My favorite underwater memory was swimming with sea turtles in Maui.


What is your part about teaching swimming? My favorite part about teaching is the joy and happiness on the kid's faces when they learn a new skill. I also enjoy the comradery that I have with my co-workers.

Alexandria Dumaplin

Alexandria Dumaplin

Swim Teacher (Core Skills Development)

Teaching since 2008

When and where did you first learn to swim? My oldest memory of swimming was when I was a little girl swimming in a pool in Italy with my mother. My favorite place to go swimming, though, is in Hawaii with the sea turtles!


What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? Seeing the progression the kids make in a short amount of time is the best. I also truly enjoy watching the kid's love for swimming grow as they transition from fear of the water to excitement to get in every day!

Photo Coming Soon

Megan Regan

Swim Teacher

Teaching since 2023

Bio Coming Soon

Jodi Sewell

Jodi Sewell

Swim Teacher (Learn to Swim & Core Skills Development)

Teaching since 2022

When and where did you first learn to swim? I first learned to swim at my neighborhood pool where I grew up in Dayton, Ohio. The pool was where EVERYONE went to spend their days in the summer, and where I'd eventually join my first swim team, work in the snack bar, and lifeguard before college. I remember clearly learning to swim in the deep end, and frankly being scared. But I also remember that my teacher was also my babysitter (shout out to Marcia in Ohio!), and she helped me realize that not only could I get across that deep ends safely, but I would love it. Decades later, swimming has facilitated so many friendships in every chapter of my life.


What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? Creating bonds and forging relationships is my favorite part about teaching children to swim. Most children do not feel comfortable at first learning to swim, but with some time and love their trust grows. With that their confidence in themselves to do hard things, keep trying when it's not easy, and learn a life-long skill blossoms. That's a pretty remarkable gift to share with someone.

Andrew Smetanka

Andrew Smetanka

Swim Teacher (Stroke Development)

Teaching since 2022

When and where did you first learn to swim? I first learned to swim at about 2 years old in 2001 at a neighborhood pool in Maryland.


What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? I love seeing the accomplishment in the faces of my students after learning a new skill and gaining the confidence to swim by themselves.

Cody Spanger

Cody Spangler

Swim Teacher (Stroke Development), Snorkel Instructor

Teaching since 2018

When and where did you first learn to scuba dive? When my wife, whose parents are avid divers, first suggested that we learn to dive for our honeymoon, I was shocked by the idea that I could actually do this thing that seemed to be purely fantasy. We could just... learn? Just like that? And sure enough, off the coast of Grand Cayman a short time later, we shared underwater experiences dreamt of since childhood, and it changed our lives! If you, like me, were the child that dove for pennies on the bottom of 10-foot pools and wished you never had to come up for air, or if you are someone with anxieties surrounding water skills of any kind, who truly wishes to overcome those fears, please take the word of someone who never thought he'd be here: there is a safe, fun and thriving community waiting to embrace you here at Denver Divers & The Swim School of Denver! Come temper your fears and live the life you've dreamt of!


What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? Personally, The most rewarding aspect of teaching in-water skills is witnessing the burgeoning self-confidence and exhilaration of someone who has accomplished something they never thought they could or would achieve. Whether it's a child that just put together their first complete freestyle stroke, or an adult whose eyes light up the first time they breath through a snorkel, there is no greater feeling than knowing you've helped someone break down a barrier and open themselves to a world of new adventures.

Kari Telander-Rice

Kari Telander-Rice

Swim Teacher (Learn to Swim & Core Skills Development)

Teaching since 2023

When did you first learn to swim? I first learned to swim as a toddler by the help of my parents, watching my older siblings and taking swim lessons in Kansas. Growing up I did swim club, summer swim team and high school varsity. From the pool to the ocean, I just fell in love with the water. Open water swimming became my new passion as I got older and traveled more. While living in San Francisco I swam at aquatic park and did my first escape from Alcatraz.


What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? The love, curiosity and experience I have for swimming is why I love to teach others. Life in the water is about feeling safe, building confidence, respecting Mother Earth, and having fun! As a former early childhood educator and mama, what better way to combine the two. This is my first time teaching swim at Denver Divers and the Swim School of Denver. I believe stepping out of our comfort zone is when the real magic happens. That’s when we realize what we are truly capable of. I am excited to teach and inspire the next generation of swimmers.

Carina Whaley

Carina Whaley

Swim Teacher (Stroke Development), Snorkel Instructor

Teaching since 2007

When did you first learn to swim? I was born and raised in California, so I first learned to swim in the Pacific Ocean. I also love diving in the Monterey kelp forests, watching the sea lions play.


What is your favorite part about teaching swimming? Seeing my students find joy in the water!