Family first. Safety always.

Certified ISR Instructor committed to your child’s safety and success.

Dedicated to teaching life-saving skills — one child at a time.

For more than 46 years of living on the water as well as playing in and on the water, Tom more than realizes the importance of water safety and swimming survival skills !

Tom Grothouse is a resident of Winter Haven, Florida, and Crown Point, Indiana, who along with his wife Carol and their three children, Ryan, Kristen, and Karen, originate from Crown Point, Indiana. Prior to spending time in the education field at Polk State College and Northridge Christian Academy as an Athletic Director, Coach and Project Manager, he spent 30 plus years in the Airline and Logistics Industry, spending most of his time with American Airlines, Flying Tiger Airlines, and other privately owned companies.

In the Educational Field, working with children and student athletes at various levels has always been more than a career for Tom; it has been a ministry of service in an effort to impact young people and families. These factors along with other personal experiences led Tom to become an ISR Certified Instructor.

Tom has had a considerable athletic experience culminating in spending four years within the California Angels Organization. Leading up to that time with the Angels, started his youth and High School athletic career in Munster, Indiana; earning Varsity Letters and participating in Track, Cross Country, Basketball and Baseball. He went on to play College Basketball and Baseball at St. Joseph's of Calumet College and Santa Monica College, where he joined the California Angels. After getting married to Carol, who in her own right is a tremendous athlete, Tom coached Youth Basketball, and every level of Baseball and Softball including All Star Teams for over 8 years in the Tampa Bay, Coral Springs, and Winter Haven, Florida areas. He concluded his official sports career by pitching a one hitter as a 42 year old for the Clearwater Dodgers of the Senior Baseball Association.

Tom and Carol love spending time and investing their lives in their children and grandchildren, while also having a passion to serve others in the Christian Ministry; Carol investing her life in teaching children at Christian Schools and Tom investing his life in Pastoral, and Men's Ministries.

FAQs

How do you teach them to hold their breath?

Breath holding skills are taught beginning with the first lesson. We shape breath control using highly effective positive reinforcement techniques. We continue to reinforce these breath-holding techniques throughout every lesson.

Why do you have the children swim in clothes?

Because 86% of children who fall in the water do so fully clothed, we want our students to have experience with such a situation. If a child has experienced the sensations of being in the water in clothing prior to an emergency situation, he/she is less likely to experience panic and be able to focus on the task at hand. If you have ever jumped in the water with clothes on, then you know that there is a significant difference in weight and feel with clothes as opposed to a bathing suit.

Why don’t parents participate in the water during the lessons?

We do not want the baby to initially associate the water with the love, attention, and affection of the parent while in the water. Also, it takes incredible concentration and objectivity to teach the baby how to respond to an aquatic emergency and our experience shows that parents often find it too difficult to be objective to be effective teachers with their own children in the water. We gladly invite parents to join us in the pool once their child has independent skills to practice at home.

Will my child need additional lessons?

Based on our research, we know that refresher lessons are important because children change so much both cognitively and physically during the first 0-5 years of life. It is important that their water survival skills grow with their bodies. Frequency depends on the child's age, growth rate, skill level and confidence level. The goal of refresher lessons is to help your child adjust his/her new body size and weight to his/her existing skill level. Your instructor will work with your child to help fine-tune his or her aquatic experience to assist with building efficiency, which will result in self-confidence. This is especially important if your child has not been able to practice any appropriate aquatic skill between seasons.

Inspiring children through faith, family, and life lessons—one story at a time.

In addition to his work as an ISR Certified Instructor, Tom Grothouse is also a published children’s book author. His book, “What Grandpa Wants to Teach Me,” reflects his heart for family, faith, and guiding the next generation. Through his writing, Tom shares meaningful lessons and values that encourage children to grow in wisdom, kindness, and confidence—both in and out of the water.

Get your copy

Speak directly to Coach Tom

about current lesson availability.

Call Coach Tom