CEO / MASTER INSTRUCTOR / HEAD COACH
Tenaya Goldsmith
Tenaya started Big Kahuna Swim Academy back in 2015 with a goal of spreading awareness on drowning prevention and water safety in order to help families become water safe. Tenaya has been teaching water safety and swimming over the past 12 years and has been working with kids for over 20 years! Aside from her beautiful daughter, nothing is more important to her than making sure that families can gain the peace of mind knowing that their kids and loved ones are safe in and around the water! Tenaya is also the Head Swim Coach for the Notre Dame High School Swim Team.
“People ask me all the time what I do for a living, and I tell them that I save lives for a living. That’s exactly what myself and my instructors do at Big Kahuna – we help our students become water safe so they can save themselves in any water emergency”
TEAM LEAD / MASTER INSTRUCTOR
Miss Fernanda
Miss Fernanda has always had a passion for swimming. She has been a swimmer for 9 years and loves it! She learned from her coaches the importance of being water safe and also the meaning of implementing water safety in others. Miss Fernanda also loves traveling and going to the beach.
“It’s a lifelong dream to have the privilege to be able to teach children how to be water safe and to be able to see them become confident swimmers.”
TRAINER / SOCIAL MEDIA / ADMIN
Miss Abby
Miss Abby loves being in the water and has a passion for showing others just how fun it can be! She believes that teaching water safety skills is crucial to having the best experience in the water. Miss Abby is also the oldest of six kids and loves to jam out to music.
“I love inspiring others with these skills. Watching their faces light up when they learn something new – something that can actually save their life – brings me so much joy!”
ADMIN
Ms Riley
Miss Riley is definitely a water bug. She has always loved being in or around water. She grew up on a lake so water safety has always been important to her. With 3 years experience in child care, lifeguarding, and teaching swim lessons, the mission of Big Kahuna Swim Academy really resonates with her. In her free time Miss Riley loves to paint, draw and create things.
“I am so grateful and honored be able to give kids the tools to be able to save their lives in the water. Water safety is so important and it is so rewarding knowing that I’m able to help current and future generations. This is absolutely a dream job!”
INSTRUCTOR
Miss Soqorya
Miss Soqorya is currently going to school to become a registered nurse and her nickname is Re. She enjoys going to the beach and spending time with her family and friends. Miss Soqorya has been swimming competitively since she was in the 5th grade through her senior year of high school, and she also played water polo.
“Water safety is very important and I’m so glad to be able to help kids learn something that will be useful forever! Never forget how wildly capable you are!!”
INSTRUCTOR
Mr Aaron
Mr. Aaron is pursuing a business degree and is constantly looking for ways to learn and grow. He loves being active and loves being outdoors. He also enjoys spending time with friends and family.
“Safety is the most important part of this job, and I strive to create a safe and fun environment for all of my students”
VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTOR
Miss Sarah
Miss Sarah loves to help the community. She loves being around kids and wants to help them learn to be completely independent in the water. She is 1 of 6 kids and enjoys cooking and baking!
“I am very grateful to have this opportunity to impact kids lives by helping them become water safe. And I am so excited to be able to connect with all of my students in order to help teach them better!”
VOLUNTEER INSTRUCTOR
Miss Jasmine
INSTRUCTOR
Miss Hailey
Ms. Hailey is the oldest of six and has always been passionate about teaching little ones. She has been swimming since she was a baby and, being born in SoCal has always loved the beach! No matter what she is doing, Hailey has always wanted to make an impact in children’s lives, and being a part of the Foundation and Big Kahuna is really a dream for her.
“This really is what fulfills every part of me, being able to teach something so crucial and life-saving; it’s my dream become reality”