Private, custom swim instruction for all ages.
Lynchburg, VA & Chapel Hill, NC
The Private Swim Experience
One-on-One Attention
Built Around Your Child
No waiting for a turn or trying to keep pace with a group.
Instruction adjusts to personality, confidence, skill level, and how they best learn.
Consistency That Builds Confidence
A reserved weekly lesson creates rhythm and gives skills time to stick.
Session Pack
Fall 2026 Session Now Open
10 private 25-minute lessons
Twice weekly for five weeks
Private 1:1 instruction at your pool
A consistent time reserved for your swimmer
My Teaching Philosophy
I believe learning to swim should be gentle and empowering. My personalized approach weaves play-based learning with water exploration and growth in and out of the water. I meet each child where they are and help them build a strong foundation of swim skills and the confidence to use them.
“Aby was such a god send! My daughter can be very risk adverse and was always a little hesitant of the water. Not only did Aby help build her swimming skills, she helped Cara navigate her fear of the water. Thanks to Aby, this is the first summer where I feel confident in Cara’s swimming and can actually read a book at the pool!! Aby is phenomenal.”
— Lauren M.
Meet Aby
Hi, I'm Aby!
Like any five-year-old with a favorite color, I showed up to my first summer league swim practice dressed head to toe in pink ruffles. I joined a year-round swim team soon after (with my pink goggles still in tow) and spent the next eleven years swimming with four competitive teams and two high schools. My final year, I was honored to be named the Female All-Conference Champion after placing first in every event at the meet, despite competing through injury and chronic illness.
When I retired from the world of 5am practices and tech suits in 2023, I poured my heart into teaching and cheering from the sidelines. Vessel Swim has become the perfect blend of everything I love: little ones, swimming, creativity, and empowering through intuitive instruction. Over the past six summers, I've taught more than 700 lessons and helped over 90 students learn to swim.
While teaching water safety and swim skills is the goal, the moments I treasure most are laughing at a joke told by one of my swimmers, playing Ring Around the Rosie underwater, celebrating a hard-earned breakthrough, or comforting a little one through a tearful lesson. If a child leaves feeling more courageous and deeply cared for, then I've accomplished exactly what I set out to do.
Outside of the pool, you'll usually find me surfing, hosting friends, writing, exploring local thrift stores, or searching for my next scrumptious matcha.
I hope to see you at the pool!
What Families Are Saying
“Aby was phenomenal with our two girls. Our oldest had the goal of swimming confidently enough to go down the water slide on her own this summer and because of Aby’s amazing instruction she was able to do so! She also had incredible patience with our very wild three year old and helped her learn to take time to breathe and rest as needed and worked on floating. We can’t wait to work with her again next summer!”
— Olivia F.“Aby has been an incredible swim instructor for our son and daughter over the past three summers. She is kind, compassionate, patient, and incredibly professional. She has a wonderful way of making kids feel comfortable while helping them build swimming skills and confidence. Watching both of our children grow into confident swimmers has been amazing, and we truly credit so much of that to Aby. We couldn’t recommend her more highly to any family looking for an outstanding swim instructor!”
— Lia M.“Aby is an extraordinary swimming instructor! She worked with our three grandchildren, ages 20 months, 4, and 7, and she adapted her lessons to fit each of their experience and needs. The swimming skills Aby taught them have made them water safe and much more confident. The eldest two are straight-up swimmers now, and the pool is more fun for all of us. We are so grateful!”
— Karen FarrisCommon Questions
A few things families often ask before getting started.
-
I offer lessons for little ones as young as 15 months, all the way up to adults.
-
Every child learns at a different pace and the number of lessons needed will vary depending on a few factors and what your end goal is. I’ve had kids learn survival skills in 3 lessons and in 18, and there is no correct amount of time when it comes to learning to swim. Older children tend to learn quicker than littles under 4.
I offer lessons in a twice-weekly package because the consistency of meeting twice a week is ideal for confidence and retaining learned skills without losing progress between lessons. Many children learn to float independently and begin swimming within one session pack, though every child's timeline is unique.
-
That's completely okay! This is highly common for first-time swimmers and little ones.
I prioritize building trust with me and the water first and moving with their fears and hesitations. I will work with you and your child to create the best swim experience for everyone.
-
For children under 3, yes. I typically teach using a parent-child format, with a caregiver in the water alongside their child.
-
Yes, absolutely! Lessons can be divided between siblings in whatever way best fits your family's needs.
If both children are beginners, I highly recommend scheduling each child twice a week, as consistency is ideal for learning.
I also offer semi-private lessons for siblings at the same swim level.
-
I offer single stroke refinement and technique lessons for swimmers who already swim independently. Beginner swim instruction is offered as a session pack to provide the consistency needed for skill development and water confidence.
-
I offer semi-private lesson packs for siblings or friends at the same skill level.
I am also occasionally able to match students up upon request, if I have another interested family with a child at the same level.
-
Yes! I use my online booking system for makeup lessons, and you're welcome to reschedule your lesson up to 4 hours before its scheduled start time if a makeup time is available. Makeup times become available at the beginning of the summer for families with planned vacations and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
If your child becomes ill, is injured, or cannot attend with less than 4 hours' notice, I'm unfortunately unable to offer a makeup lesson.
-
Not much, just a swimsuit, a towel, and a pair of goggles! Goggles are completely optional but recommended. I also encourage some practice without them to help build confidence and become more comfortable with their eyes getting wet.
Let’s get your little one in the pool!
Have a question or interested in lessons? Send me a message below and I'll get back to you soon.
Additional Testimonials
“Aby Motteler was such a great swim teacher for Grey! She improved so much, and Aby made her very comfortable in the water. When we first started the lessons, she was a little tentative, and then it became one of her favorite parts of the week!”
— Blair Kelly“My son started off really scared of pools and by the end of his 8 lessons with Aby he had gained confidence and was able to relax and have some fun with it too. We're looking forward to enrolling him again next summer so he can continue to develop skills and eventually swim on his own!”
— Laura“She swam out past the rope independently 5 times, just 3 lessons after being afraid to get in the pool!!!!!! She just keeps pushing the bounds now that she got her confidence! I can’t thank Aby enough. Aby, you are so good. Never stop doing what you’re doing.”
— Brooke