Le'a Holst, RN
Pool Location
2233 Academy PlaceColorado Springs, CO 80909
(From Sep-May)
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Hope Montessori Academy
18075 Minglewood Trail
Monument, CO 80132
(From June-Aug)
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My name is Le'a Holst and I am the proud owner of Aloha Infant Aquatics in Colorado Springs. Born on Long Island in New York, I began my undefeated swimming career at the age of 5, swimming competitively for the Women's Swimming Association (WSA) in New York City. I was on the swim team for a year at Mount St. Vincent's College prior to entering St. Vincent's Nursing School where I received my RN degree. All my favorite childhood memories revolve around swimming, boating and playing the piano. I realize that I have spent most of my life surrounded by water on Long Island, NY, Fall River and Boston, MA and Hawai'i. I LOVE the water!
After graduating from St. Vincent's, I married and had four beautiful daughters in 5 and a half years. During that time I worked part time as an ICCU (intensive care coronary RN). Several years later, I studied in Concord, Mass at the Institute of Humanistic Psychology where I received my Master's degree. I spent several years in Cambridge, MA and Worchester, MA training health care professionals in Holistic Medicine. After moving to Hawai'i in 1982, I continued nursing in the field of Pediatrics and Hospice, ending my career as a Medical Case Manager.
I have raised 5 daughters, the youngest being my chosen daughter who came into my life as a foster daughter when she was 9 months old and I was 48. I also helped raise 3 other foster daughters, and after remarrying my husband, Jim, finally brought 3 sons into my life. Between us, we have 13 grandchildren. Over the years I taught all of my children and most of my grandchildren to swim when they were about 2-3 years old. Since I have always loved the water and I obviously also love children, the Infant Aquatic Survival program is a natural fit for me. I find being retired very boring and look forward to my new career as an Infant Aquatics instructor.
Having spent many years as an RN, I am only too aware of all the tragedies that can take place in and around the water. If I can keep even one child from becoming a statistic, then all my training will be well worth my time and effort. Swimming is the only sport I know of that once learned can actually save a life -- and that life could be the life of YOUR child!!
I am currently a member of the US Swim Schools Association and am certified in Adult, Child and Infant CPR and first aid.
