Makai Swim School

Tami Nixon is a sole proprietor of Makai Swim School. Tami provides private and semi-private swimming lessons in her backyard pool as well as traveling to private residences throughout the NapaValley.

Tami began her swimming career at the age of 3 in the waters of Hawaii. She swam competitively through high school and at the age of 12 she began teaching swimming lessons for the American Red Cross. By age 18 Tami had worked her way up to Pool Director, in charge of operating summer swim programs for a busy San Francisco Bay Area Red Cross.

In 1982 Tami moved to the Napa Valley and began teaching swimming in various backyard pools throughout the valley.

From 1982-1991 Tami was working at Sunrise Montessori of Napa Valley as a pre-school and kindergarten teacher and obtained her BA in early Childhood Education and a Montessori Teaching Credential.

By 1986 her clientele was so abundant that she decided to lease a friend’s backyard pool and have clients come to her. She conducted swimming lessons at that venue for 3 years.

In 1989 the doors of MakaiSwimSchool opened at the old Mount George Estates and Exertec Fitness Center, Napa, both leased venues. MakaiSwimSchool was the first private swim school in Napa. Tami employed over 8 instructors part-time and by 1989 was teaching over 500 students per summer. Classes that were offered consisted of Learn to Swim for 3 year olds to adults, Parent-Child lessons, Synchronized Swimming, Swim Team, Water Safety Courses, and Water Polo. Tami was able to implement a very successful teacher-training program and clients who wished to have instructors come to their homes sought after her teachers.

By 1994 MakaiSwimSchool was ready to expand. With hopes of negotiating more pool time for the swim school, the owner of Mt. George Estates and Tami were unable to come to agreement. Sadly MakaiSwimSchool no longer had a “home”. With the hopes of locating an alternative venue, and unable to find one, Tami did not want to let her clients and instructors down, to show good faith, Tami opted to bring the entire swim school to Healthquest, a local gym in Napa.

After working at Healthquest for 3 years Tami missed the enjoyment of running her own business. She then decided to teach in backyard pools throughout the NapaValley and began to rebuild her private clientele. Again the business was so successful that in 2000, Tami decided to build her own swimming pool at her residence. Over the last 16 years Tami has been commuting to her backyard to instruct children and adults of all ages. In the summer months she teaches over 120 students per month. Tami employs 5 other instructors to help instruct the many students that are enrolled at Makai Swim School.

In 2013 Tami began her Pilates Career and now teaches Private and Duet comprehensive Pilates classes in Napa, Makai Pilates Napa Valley.

In 2015 Wine Country Sitters (care@makaswimschool) was born out of a need for well trained and trusted caregivers for the clientele of Makai Swim School and the community. The service includes Child Care, Pet and House sitting services.

Tami is the proud mother of two children, Timothy, age 30 and Madeline, age 22. And a happy wife to Paul.

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