Meet Our Instructor
Julia Daum is a Drowning Prevention Specialist and the owner of SOS Swim School. With more than 9 years of experience, she has taught more than 700 children survival swimming skills. Julia became interested in teaching when her daughter was 15 months old. She was dissatisfied with the options for swim lessons available to her in the area in which she lived. Research showed that the closest instructor that would teach swimming skills was a one hour commute away. Though this seemed extreme, Julia decided that this was not really an option but a necessity. She drove two hours every day to have her child skilled. When her second daughter was born she decided it was time to become an instructor. Julia became an Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) instructor. In 2010, Julia became a Master Instructor with Infant Swimming Resource. Between 2010-2012, she trained 12 new instructors to teach life-saving swimming skills to babies.
Julia has always had a passion for aquatics. When she was six years old she went to the pool daily and hung on the fence asking the diving coach to give her a chance. Finally, after lengthy negotiations she was able to start diving. That enthusiasm lasted for 16 years. During that time she competed in the USA Diving Junior Olympics going to Nationals and ultimately securing a scholarship to Florida State University. She retired from diving at the age of 22 because of a lack of facilities where she was living.
While at FSU, Julia found she also had a passion for recreation. Following in her father’s footsteps she received a B.S. in Leisure Services and Studies from the Department of Education. Upon being asked to work with the University of Florida, she took a Teaching Assistant position in the Department of Health and Human Performance and received her master’s degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism and a minor in Public Relations.
Becoming a swim instructor provided Julia with the perfect opportunity combine her passions and contribute to her community at the same time. She continues to be dedicated to teaching children survival skills.
Julia has always had a passion for aquatics. When she was six years old she went to the pool daily and hung on the fence asking the diving coach to give her a chance. Finally, after lengthy negotiations she was able to start diving. That enthusiasm lasted for 16 years. During that time she competed in the USA Diving Junior Olympics going to Nationals and ultimately securing a scholarship to Florida State University. She retired from diving at the age of 22 because of a lack of facilities where she was living.
While at FSU, Julia found she also had a passion for recreation. Following in her father’s footsteps she received a B.S. in Leisure Services and Studies from the Department of Education. Upon being asked to work with the University of Florida, she took a Teaching Assistant position in the Department of Health and Human Performance and received her master’s degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism and a minor in Public Relations.
Becoming a swim instructor provided Julia with the perfect opportunity combine her passions and contribute to her community at the same time. She continues to be dedicated to teaching children survival skills.
