Helping kids develop a love for safe swimming
We focus on comfort in the water and skill-building in a supportive environment. Our approach emphasizes both safety and a love for swimming, giving parents confidence and kids a positive relationship with the water.
Meet the instructors
Our coaches bring years of experience and passion to the pool, ensuring each student feels supported while they develop lifelong skills.
Coach Michael
The son of two swim coaches, Michael has a passion for swimming, which led to a 17-year competitive career, including Division I swimming at the University of Louisville and qualification for the 2012 Olympic Trials. In 2024, Michael founded Hughston Swim Ranch in his backyard pool to help kids build comfort, safety, and strong swimming skills. He also started Neighbors of Hughston, a city-recognized group dedicated to fostering community and local initiatives. Michael lives in the Hughston neighborhood with his wife, four daughters, and two cats.
Coach Rachel
A former competitive swimmer, Rachel rowed at the University of Oklahoma, contributing to two Big XII championship wins as a Division I athlete. Rachel’s first job was teaching swim lessons, and she now brings that same enthusiasm and dedication to Hughston Swim Ranch, leading interactive mommy-and-me classes to help young children build water comfort, safety, and foundational skills. Rachel lives in Anna with her husband and their three children and is passionate about helping kids discover a lifelong love for swimming.
Classes for every skill level
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Mommy and Me
2-year-olds
Hop in the water together, creating a comfortable and playful space where toddlers can have fun and explore. Through lively activities and catchy songs, we introduce foundational water skills, providing a unique opportunity for parents to learn how to support their children on their swim journey.
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Level 1
Ages 3–4
This class helps kiddos build comfort in the water with fun floating, gliding, kicking, and pulling. All skills are assisted at first but with comfort and repetition, the need for support will lessen. It’s all about creating independence and learning water safety, so your swimmers are prepped for a lifetime in the water.
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Level 2
Ages 4–7
The goal of this level is water safety. This class helps your kids gain the independence they need to start making waves on their own. By fine-tuning the skills learned in earlier levels, children build more comfort, coordination, and a stronger understanding of water safety, paving the way for swim-ready fun.
Close might count in horseshoes, but it doesn’t in water safety!
Private lessons will be available to families who have completed a two-week session that year. Whether your little swimmer needs a confidence boost or extra time in the saddle to perfect their skills, Coach Rachel has you covered!
“My oldest son was hesitant to go underwater, and with the teaching of coach Michael, he gained the skills and confidence to do so.”
Now, he is water-safe, diving, pushing off the side, and working on his freestyle strokes. Our 3-year-old has a set of tubes in his ears, and Coach Rachel was so patient and kind in helping him understand his water skills. We could not have been happier with the growth and atmosphere of the Hughston Swim Ranch.
Lauren BurtonFAQs
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We start with kids as young as 2 years old for our mommy-and-me classes. Our group lessons are tailored for ages 3 and up, with class levels structured by age to ensure age-appropriate safety and skill development.
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Our Family Class is a great option for families with children of varying ages and skill levels! This class is designed to accommodate multiple skill levels in one class, making it perfect for older children who aren’t yet comfortable in the water. You can register for this class by clicking here.
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Each lesson is 30 minutes long, with small class sizes to ensure personalized attention for each child. Classes are held in small groups to ensure quality instruction, with instructor-to-child max ratios varying by skill level: 1:3 for beginner-level group classes (3-year-olds) and up to 1:5 for more advanced, competitive-level swimmers.
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Absolutely! We offer a comfortable, air-conditioned sunroom where you can watch each lesson and track your child’s progress in a relaxed setting.
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Coach Michael has over 11 years of swim teaching experience and a background in Division I swimming (University of Louisville) and brings competitive swimming expertise and a passion for water safety to our program.
Coach Rachel, a former Division I rower and competitive swimmer, also joins us with extensive experience in both swimming and coaching. Both coaches are committed to fostering a positive learning environment.
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Enrollment for the 2025 swim season is now open! Click here to register now.
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Children should bring a swimsuit, towel, goggles, and hair ties to keep long hair out of their eyes and mouths. If your child has unique needs, like ear protection, please inform the instructor so we can make them as comfortable as possible in the water.
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Absolutely! Even if your child already knows how to swim, additional lessons can help them with stroke development, refining their technique learning new skills tailored to their age and ability and even preparing to try out for a local competitive swim team.
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We currently focus on learn-to-swim and stroke development for swimmers 8 and under. But exciting things are coming—stay tuned! Send us a message to join our email list and be the first to hear about updates and expanded offerings.
