About Tamara

Tamara learned how to swim when she was 10 months old. When she was little her mother would say, "You're a fish" and Tamara would reply back, "No, Mommy, I'm a mermaid!" 

Tamara continued to take swimming lesson throughout her childhood most notably with the legendary Kurt Billing. When Tamara was 13 she began her swimming instruction career as an assistant to Kurt Billing while he taught his group lessons in Big Fresh Pond in Southampton. She taught with Kurt for five summers. Working with Kurt was influential for Tamara because it helped her realize her love of water safety swimming in conjunction with working with children. She still uses many of his teaching techniques today.

Tamara began teaching private lessons in 2002 and has been ever since. Tamara enjoys sharing her passion for swimming and water safety with her students. She believes that swimming is one of the most important skills a person can have, and one of the most enjoyable activities. 

Tamara has built a loyal clientele over her many summers of teaching in The Hamptons. Some of her students are back for their tenth season this Summer 2018. 

When Tamara isn't swimming she is enjoying one of her many other passions. She is a Theatre Educator and Director with her company South Fork Performing Arts which she co-founded after receiving her masters in Educational Theatre from The City College of New York in 2013. She also loves to travel around the world, read books, be outdoors, and spend time with her family, friends, and cat.

Certifications and Training:
Red Cross Pool Lifeguard
Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguard
Red Cross Water Safety Instructor
Red Cross First Aid
Red Cross CPR Infant, Child, and Adult
Instructor of Adapted Aquatics 

Experience and Awards:
15 years teaching private lessons
19 years teaching swimming instruction
Five years as an assistant instructor of group lessons with the legendary Kurt Billing
Two years as a swimming instructor at Stony Brook University
Dana Bragen and Brian Bergman Award for Excellence in Teaching Adapted Aquatics at Stony Brook University
Instructed at YMCA, Take Me To the Water, and Saf-T-Swim