Karissa Patberg, M.Ed.

Happy Swimmer & Owner; ARC Lifeguard Instructor; karissa@beswimhappy.com

What’s great is that my passion aligns with my profession. So, my days are filled with doing what I really love; making magic happen in the water! Keep in mind that my focus is always person-centered. My favorite days are when a swimmer is truly satisfied with the progress they have made, and their quality of life has improved. A Positive Approaches philosophy is a must for me.

Swimming has been a life long passion of mine. I’ve been a swimmer for as long as I can recall. Some of my fondest childhood memories are swimming competitively year-round. My first experiences working within the intellectual disability field were in the pool in 2000, teaching those with special needs. You can still find me doing the same thing now, many years later. From babies, to grandparents, and everyone in between, becoming a safe swimmer is possible. Swimming truly is for everyBODY!

In 2006, I earned a B.A. in Psychological and Social Sciences from Penn State. From there, I continued my education at Temple University, earning my M.Ed. in Counseling Psychology in 2010. Prior to diving into aquatics full time, I was a behavior therapist for over 7 years.

Besides formal education, I believe it’s important to find inspiration everyday life. For me, that includes being a single mom by choice, sipping a great cup of coffee, hitting the yoga mat, tending to my garden, cooking a favorite plant based dish, creating art, and dreaming up my next adventure. What inspires you?

Hope to see you at the pool!

Will Gallagher, M.Ed

Head Coach of The Cynwyd Club Thunder Swim Team, ARC Lifeguard

“Hello! My Name is Will Gallagher, and I am looking forward to being Head Coach of the swim team at The Cynwyd Club. My goal as a coach is to inspire young swimmers to do more than they think they are capable of through the sport of swimming.

I joined Friends’ Central Aquatics (FCA) in August of 2019 as Assistant Head Coach and was appointed Director in July of 2023. I am also the Meet Director and Operational Risk Director for hosted USA Swimming meets. As well, I serve on the Board of Directors of Middle Atlantic Swimming as the Safe Sport Chair and participated as a member of the Middle Atlantic Summer All-Star Zone Coaching Staff in 2021 & 2022. I am an active participant in our Middle Atlantic Local Swimming Committee and was reappointed to the USA Swimming National Committee of Safe Sport as the Eastern Zone Safe Sport Chair.

Prior to joining FCA, I was the Assistant Coach and Strength and Conditioning Coach at Lower Moreland Swimming & Diving.”

Jasmine Losinno, B.A.

Swim Instructor, ARC Lifeguard

Since 2001, Jasmine specializes in private and semi-private swim instruction of all ages from babies to adults, focusing on safety, stroke development, endurance and water confidence. She enjoys teaching shallow and deep water aerobics at various intensity levels to pop music from the 80s and beyond. She loves a good boy band too! Jasmine is an avid swimmer and water sports enthusiast for over 30 years.

Esme Oxman

Swim Instructor, ARC Lifeguard

“Growing up, I was lucky to have great opportunities to become comfortable in the water. I always enjoyed swim instruction at various summer camps and was fortunate to have amazing coaches along the way. After years of swimming, I realized I had an interest in teaching. At 15, I earned my lifeguard certification and began learning how to teach swim lessons under the guidance of my mentor. Over three years, I gained invaluable experience in water safety and instruction, and I feel grateful to pass along that knowledge. I am looking forward to another season offering private and semi-private lessons, where I love watching each student grow week-by-week. For me, the most important part of teaching is building trust and connection with each swimmer. I strive to create the same supportive, nurturing environment I had when I was learning to swim.”

Judy Watman, MSW, Water Fitness Instructor, CPR/AED/First Aid Certified

Judy is a seasoned water fitness instructor with Primary and Master certifications from the US Water Fitness Association. She has been teaching water fitness for over 14 years, and swimming her whole life. As a former social worker, property management director AND synchronized swimmer, she is there to help adult learners become their best, fittest selves!