Welcome to Makin’ Waves with Jes!
For 28+ years, I've had the privilege of helping students deepen their connection to—and love for—water
Water You Wading For? Let’s Dive In!
717-575-5337 | JLGILDEA@gmail.com
About Me!
I was a super active kid, climbing trees, swimming, doing flips and cartwheels, skiing, riding horses, playing tennis, practicing yoga. Although I’ve carried most of these activities into my adult life, only two of these paths turned into a career: swimming & yoga. Water is my favorite medium to play in so it’s no surprise that my “office space” is a pool!
I first started teaching swim lessons at age 14. I’ve taught over 1,000 children and how adults how to swim in the past 28 years. It was a part-time job for much of my life and in 2020, after the pandemic hit, I had time to recalibrate what I wanted to focus my time and energy on. In 2021, I switched my focus entirely to teaching swim lessons. I am mostly word of mouth and am proud of the fact that I am helping to not only prevent drowning but instill a sense of peace, joy, and confidence in my students!
I was born outside of Philadelphia, and have had the opportunity to live in Colorado, California, and Montana. I was nomadic for two years and in that time, did Workaways, Trusted Housesitters, and picked up a job as a Camera Operator - shooting live concerts - which I still do from time to time. I was lucky to add to the list of countries I’ve visited, 26 and counting, by traveling to Asia and working with rescue elephants! My favorite way to travel is to combine my love for animals, wellness, and learning about new cultures (hello local foods and flavors!) I received my 200 Registered Yoga Teacher training in 2018 from Better Buzz Yoga in Denver, Colorado, my LI Reiki Certification in Philadelphia in 2007, and I am influenced and inspired by QiGong which I weave into my classes.
This year I am offering my first retreat in Sedona - a 5 day Water Magic Retreat - link above! When I am not teaching swim or traveling, I enjoy a dip in the hot springs, skiing, playing tennis, and keeping up a daily yoga practice. My passions include animals, herbs and plant medicines, interior design, thrifting and organizing.
Swim Reviews!
“When we cultivate a sense of deep appreciation and respect for the water, a level of reverence and gratitude is developed, and we see water as an entity to befriend, not a foe to conquer. ”
My Philosophy
I began my water journey at age 5. For better or worse, I cannot recall not knowing how to swim. Perhaps my passion as a swim teacher is derived from reliving this forgotten experience of floating. Although I can’t remember the first time I was supported by this liquid magic, the sheer delight from children discovering it awakens the child-like parts of myself - and I get chills.
Water is more than just something to hydrate our bodies, grow our food, or play in. The same water has cycled through the dinosaurs, our ancestors, and traveled through clouds, from deep within the rocks of the earth to us.
Water is a teacher: it holds memory, can foretell the future, is malleable, is a great equalizer, and elicits a sense of joy and playfulness. Modern “water mystics” like Viktor Schauberger, Masaru Emoto, and Veda Austin suggest water can record emotion, intention, and vibration. Emoto’s frozen water crystal experiments showed that loving words and music produced beautiful symmetrical crystals, while hateful words created distorted ones. Although we turn on our tap water whenever we want (a blessing), drinkable water makes up only 2% of the earth’s surface, and is something we may easily take for granted. The idea that water is intelligent, divine, and God-like is a thought that may not have crossed our minds. Water is mentioned over 700 times in the Bible, second only to the word God. Water, in short, is sacred, healing, and a divine reflection of us and our Godliness.
The word educate comes from the Latin educare, meaning “to draw out”. As a water educator, I am not simply teaching strokes or safety — I am drawing out confidence, body awareness, trust, and recalling a relationship with water that already exists and lives inside my students. I consider myself more than a swim teacher, but also a water sensei or water healing therapist. Water isn’t meant to be conquered but to be enjoyed and celebrated. I am pleased to be the medium between children and their love of water.
In water therapy or mindful swimming, education extends into somatic and energetic realms:
Teaching nervous-system regulation through breath and immersion
Helping people release trauma stored in the body by letting water hold them
Guiding students to trust — both the water and themselves
Here, education becomes therapy, because awareness transforms physiology. I am blessed to focus my career on the relationship between people (especially children) and water - to deepen our connection to and awareness of its sacred nature.
“Water is transparent, it knows no colour, creed or religion. Water does not judge, nor does it label … Water is our constant companion, from the moment we are conceived it is always with us… even upon death, it is water that evaporates from the physical rising upwards into the Heavens.”
Free Style in Newfound Lake, NH
FAQs
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FAQs ~
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Try Your Best
Blow bubbles & Breath
Stay Calm
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We begin with a discovery call. As I will be your teacher, I want to get to know you and want you to get to know me over the phone versus texting or email. I will provide an overview and answer any additional questions, as well as learn about your swim journey and goals
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Lessons are $50 / 30 minutes of 1:1 instruction, per child.
Group lessons start at $35 each for 2 kiddos - similar level, family-rate, and $40 if separate families.
HOWEVER! Given that learning to swim is a LIFE SAVING skill, I NEVER turn anyone away due to cost. Therefore, I will work with you on payment plans and bulk pricing. Just ask!
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Yes! If we both decide it will help, by all means. I’ll encourage you to use your phone for taking videos of your child. Parent/child engagement is key for building confidence. If it becomes a distraction, we take another tack, however, I encourage engagement as I find it to be beneficial :)