MARK FENTON, SENIOR COACH & OWNER OF SWIM EXPRESS
Coach Mark Fenton
I am Coach Mark Fenton, and I am so excited that you have considered my program for your swimming education! I am an award-winning swim teacher (2008 Outstanding Teacher Award from the United States Swim School Association) with 20 years of experience, instructing ages ranging from 3 months to 89 years, including among them children with special needs. I am passionate about swimming, and I love to share and nurture that passion within others.
My wife, Jamie, and I founded Swim Express in 2017 with the goal of providing fun, fast, and friendly swim instruction that is personalized to fit your swimmer’s needs and goals.
We strive to break down the barriers that prevent people from enjoying the gift of water, and we hope to do so in an excellent and accessible way!
“We have been with Swim Express for years!! Our kids have done the survival, private, and group classes. We are so grateful for the incredible coaches patience, sincerity, and positivity. No matter what mood the kids are in the coaches are able to get them to engage and enjoy their lessons. We have been with Coach Mark & Coach Will and they each find a way to put the kids at ease. They make the classes fun and are very motivating. The app to coordinate and change classes is very user friendly. We highly recommend them to any family looking for a safe, effective, and wonderful group to work with.”
WILL PLUEMER, COACH OF SWIM EXPRESS
“Coach Will is fantastic! He’s patient, encouraging, and really knows how to connect with little kids — our 2- and 4-year-olds absolutely love him! We’ve been amazed by how much confidence and skill they’ve gained in the water since starting lessons. Coach Will makes every session fun while still challenging our kids to improve, and he celebrates their progress along the way. We couldn’t recommend him more to anyone looking for a supportive and motivating swim coach for little ones.”
“Very very patient and skilled coach, finds approach to all kids, even to those with challenging behaviors :) No wasting time during the lesson, teaching strokes efficiently and paying attention to details. Highly recommend!”
Coach Will Pluemer
I'm Coach Will Pluemer, and I'm thrilled to be a part of the Swim Express with Coach Mark! I have worked alongside him through many different seasons, and I've enjoyed the privilege of being personally trained by him.
My vast understanding of aquatics training provides the accomplishments necessary for enjoyable and engaging swim instruction. I have twenty years of experience in the field from both lifeguarding throughout Broward and Palm Beach County and teaching swim lessons at a variety of schools and camps. One of my competitive achievements includes being a Florida State Water Polo Champion.
Furthermore, with my BA degree in Theatre, I seek to create a fun and exciting environment, which is especially needed to educate younger children. Needless to say, I love swimming and teaching others to swim. I hope to receive the honor of working with you in the future.
Coach Derek Lewis
Hi, I’m Coach Derek! I bring a patient, kind, and efficient approach to every lesson, drawing on over 3 years of lifeguarding experience—including at Rapids Water Park—and time spent mentoring kids as a Summer Camp Counselor. Safety and confidence always come first, especially for nervous or first-time swimmers.
I help swimmers get comfortable in the water, master the fundamentals of breathing and floating, and then build efficient technique step by step. My lessons combine real progress with real fun, so kids not only improve but genuinely enjoy being in the water.
There’s nothing I love more than seeing parents proud of their child’s growth. My goal is for every family to feel confident they’ve entrusted their swimmer to a coach who truly cares about their safety, skill, and long-term success.
“We love Swim Express! All the instructors are awesome and they are a company that truly cares about their clients and always does right by them. Most importantly, our child could swim on her own by age 3 thanks to them!”
Coach Ashley Podor
Hi, I’m Coach Ashley! I’m a full-time Elementary ESE (Exceptional Student Education) teacher and a proud mom of two boys. I’ve always loved working with children, and I’m passionate about helping every child feel confident and capable, both in and out of the pool.
I started teaching swim lessons in 2020, and it quickly became one of my favorite ways to connect with kids. With my background in special education, I bring a unique perspective to coaching. I love finding the right combination of verbal, visual, and hands-on techniques to meet each swimmer where they are, especially those with neurodivergence or physical challenges. My goal is to make swimming not just safe, but also fun and empowering for every child.
Swimming was one of my favorite parts of childhood, and now I get to share that same joy with my own kids and the families I coach. There’s nothing quite like watching a child light up when they learn a new skill. It never gets old!
Before I found my way into teaching and coaching, I earned a degree in Music Performance (yes, I played the flute!). Whether I’m teaching music, reading, math, or swimming, I believe learning should be a creative and positive experience. I can’t wait to bring that energy to the pool and help your child feel successful, safe, and excited to swim!
“My grandchildren have been swimming with swim express for years. Both coaches Ashley and Will. Both are great with children and so understanding. They make swimming a fun and playful learning experience.”
“Very organized company with experienced and professional swim coaches. ”
Meet Our Scheduling Specialists!
The Swim Express Office is an integral part of our team—they keep things running smoothly!
Mariana Germenink
Hey, I’m Mariana! I’m a homeschooling mom to two amazing kids, and I absolutely love helping and serving others. I was born and raised in Brazil, and after 17 years in the U.S., I still bring a little Brazilian warmth everywhere I go! I speak Portuguese and Spanish, and when I’m not scheduling swim lessons, you can find me soaking up the sun at the beach, camping, or making memories while traveling with my family and friends.
As a Scheduling Specialist, I’m here to help you find the perfect time for your child’s swim lesson. I’m so happy and grateful to be part of a team that makes water safety engaging and impactful. Living in Florida, I know how essential it is for kids to learn to swim, and I truly enjoy seeing how our lessons bring excitement and independence to every child. I can’t wait to help you get started!
Gayle Horn
Greetings! My name is Gayle and I’m a Scheduling Assistant with Swim Express. I grew up in Pompano Beach with three siblings, and I’ve been married for 40 years with two daughters. I have an Associate’s Degree in Fashion Merchandising and my employment background is largely administrative and customer-service oriented, all of which prepared me to work here at Swim Express! My hobbies include organic gardening, gourmet cooking, reading, and outdoor activities; I also love to learn about health and fitness and I love being involved at my church.
My favorite thing about Swim Express is that it emphasizes making each swimmer feel valued, which creates a positive learning environment for swimming fun as an integral part of effectively teaching swimming skills. Furthermore, the working environment itself also reflects this positivity—it is so refreshing and I appreciate it every day!
Jamie Fenton
Hi there—my name is Jamie, and I’m Coach Mark’s wife! Everything “behind the scenes” is my forte with Swim Express as a volunteer. I enjoy keeping everything organized, so that you can have a smooth experience on your swimming journey with us.
Outside of Swim Express, I love being a mom of two energetic boys that are very creative and love to swim. Other passions of mine include playing and teaching piano. I studied Piano Performance at Florida Atlantic University and run another business - Expressive Keys. Music is one of greatest passions, and I thrive in every moment of it. Currently, I teach a handful of music students and volunteer on the worship team at our church, Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale.
I believe that Swim Express instills confidence and joy in the lives of our swimmers, improving the quality of life. I’m so grateful that I get to be a part of that process!
Susan Lindsay
Hi, I’m Susan! I come from a background in Customer Service and Tech Support, and I love helping people feel supported and heard. I’ve been married for 10 amazing years and am a proud homeschool mama to two beautiful daughters who keep me joyfully busy. In my free time, I enjoy reading, traveling, and taking nature walks with my girls. I love spending quality time with my family, and my faith in the Lord Jesus is at the center of all I do. I'm so grateful to be part of the wonderful team here at Swim Express!
It brings me so much joy to work for a company that truly values water safety for children while also making the learning experience fun and exciting. Knowing that we’re helping kids build confidence and skills in a way that’s both safe and enjoyable makes my role here especially meaningful.
