Steffi Saul-Ketzler
Baby Seals Swim Academy
San Luis Obispo County, California805-235-7535
info@baby-seals.com
www.baby-seals.com
I'm Steffi Saul-Ketzler, infant aquatics instructor and founder of Baby Seals Swim Academy on the beautiful Central Coast of California.
My exposure to swimming started at a very young age in my home town of Havelberg, Germany; my dad taught me how to swim, and I swam competitively until I was a teenager. I remember summers spent at the local pool, and swimming and fishing in the nearby river.
My husband, Olaf Saul, and I met at a German university, where he taught self-defense courses and Karate-Do to students, and I pursued my masters degree in agriculture. In 2001, we moved to the Central Coast of California, where I began my career as an agricultural research biologist; and in 2003, we settled in Atascadero.
Our first daughter was born in 2006, the same year that a tragic drowning accident of a little girl in our neighborhood prompted me to look for a program that addressed those awful "what if"-scenarios. We live in an area with many different bodies of water and our daughter, just like most children, was magically drawn to them. Following the birth of our second daughter in 2008, I discovered Infant Aquatics. My decision to become an instructor and introduce the program to the Central Coast made sense, because there was no comparable program available in this area, and I wanted to bring this valuable service to my family and community.
It was a tremendous sacrifice to leave my family behind for the training with Infant Aquatics in Boulder, CO. I am extremely proud of my husband, who took care of Anika (3) and Maya (1) by himself and handled it all with a great sense of humor and unfaltering support. My training with Judy Heumann was all I could ask for. It was very challenging both physically and mentally. It was also extremely rewarding and left me with a great sense of accomplishment and competency. I was especially intrigued by the intense learning process the children undergo, in addition to the educational aspect offered to the parents.
Baby Seals Swim Academy offers swimming lessons that actually teach your child to swim and survive in the water, with results in weeks instead of years. Please take a few moments to review our website and watch the videos to familiarize yourself with what your infant or child can learn during lessons. I'm looking forward to providing your children with the necessary lifesaving water skills to promote a lifelong love of swimming and water activities.
My certifications include infant/children/adult CPR and First Aid and lifeguard training. I am a member of the United States Swim Schools Association. Feel free to contact me with any questions and concerns.
 Maya (14 months) in winter clothes |
 Maya (14 months) in winter clothes |
 Maya (14 months) in winter clothes |
 Anika (3 years) jumping off the wall and floating |
 Anika (3 years) swimming quite a distance to safety |
 Cricket (4 years) swimming in fall clothes |
NRAI (National Registry of Aquatic Instructors)
www.childdrowningprevention.com
