Swim school helps all ages conquer water

The former manager of the Crown Park pool in Camas has opened her own business, providing swimming lessons for children and adults.

Kathi Sjostrom worked for the city of Camas for more than 20 years — off and on from 1993 through 2015 — serving in a variety of roles, including recreation coordinator and pool manager. After her American Red Cross training, Sjostrom has taught water safety, swimming, lifeguarding, babysitting, adult and pediatric CPR and lifesaving classes.

The mother of four also has experience teaching physical education at Camas’ Liberty Middle School and Camas Christian Academy.

Now, Sjostrom is able to offer private, semi-private and small group swimming lessons at her home in Camas.

“When we moved, we purchased a home with an indoor pool, knowing we had the ability to run a small swimming- lesson program,” Sjostrom said.

The depth of the heated pool is 3.5 to 6 feet.

Sjostrom’s year-round business, which opened this summer, provides small group lessons for parents and tots, preschoolers and elementary-age children. Private and semi-private lessons are available for two individuals at a similar skill level in the same household.

Sierra Eckman, of Camas, and her sister, Melissa Hutton, of Washougal, bring their children to Sjostrom’s pool for swimming lessons.

Eckman, mother of Thomas, 7, and Ella, 5, said she likes the “family feel” of the business’ location.

A 2004 Washougal High School (WHS) graduate, Eckman worked for the city of Camas as a lifeguard at the Crown Park pool from 2002 to 2004 and Sjostrom was her boss.

“She’s just so wonderful with kids,” Eckman said of Sjostrom.

It was Eckman’s idea for the cousins to take swimming lessons together.

Hutton said that, with the closure of the pool in Crown Park this year, there are limited options for her son, Dane, 6, to take swimming lessons.