About Us

James L. Reiser III, brings a lifetime of experience in aquatics to you and your child. A native of Johnstown , Pennsylvania , Jim is a third generation teacher and coach, following the footsteps of his father and grandfather who were also teachers and coaches.

James L. Reiser III moved to Columbia , SC in 1993 after being awarded a graduate teaching assistantship by the University of South Carolina 's Department of Physical Education. After earning his masters degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Motor Learning, Jim was hired to continue his role as the aquatic professor teaching every aquatic class the department offered from 1993-2005. He just recently resigned from that position to give The Swim Lessons Company his undivided attention, as he pursues his dream of constructing the perfect instructional facility that The Swim Lessons Company will call its home.

Over the past several years, Jim Reiser has become a highly sought after guest speaker for the top swim conferences in the world. Coach Reiser's instructional videos have attracted both national and international attention. He most recently presented as a Murray Callen Award Finalist for his innovative breaststroke teaching techniques in Washington , DC in 2004. He was a guest speaker at the American Swimming Coaches Association's World Clinic in Las Vegas in 2002, and he also presented at the National Swim School Association's World Conferences in Nashville in 2000 and Orlando in 1998. Jim's techniques for teaching preschoolers have even fascinated the USA Olympic Swimming Coach Richard Quick who endorsed his first video.

Coach Quick called Jim Reiser's video an "invaluable teaching tool" and recommended it without reservation. Ernie Maglischo, author of "Swimming Fastest" and the only coach to win NCAA National Championships at three different universities, called Coach Reiser's techniques "the most interesting and innovative techniques he has ever witnessed." Steve Graves, founder of the National Swim School Association, and Phillip Whitten, Editor-in-Chief of Swimming World Magazine and author of "The Complete Book of Swimming", both endorsed Coach Reiser's video

Coach Reiser also spent 11 years as the owner, head coach, and head age-group coach of Team Carolina, a year-round USA-S swim club, where he and his partner Coach Curt Klausner led their teams to "Back-to-Back" S.C. Long Course State Titles and won 3 consecutive state titles for the boys' team. Coach Reiser also produced 60 individual state champions, 10 state champion relays, and 20 National Top 16 swimmers and relays along the way

The best day of Jim's life, however, came on February 28, 1998 when Jim met his wife Heather. Jim and Heather were married on November 13, 1999 and had their first child, James L. Reiser IV ("Jeb"), on June 16, 2003 . It didn't take long for Jim to recruit Heather as his business partner as well, as Heather does much of the behind the scenes work and teaches too. Heather holds a bachelor's degree in Education and is also a certified ASCA and USA-S coach. Heather and Jim were both recipients of the United States Swim School 2004 Outstanding Teacher Award.

Jim and Heather take great pride in training and putting together the finest staff possible. Every instructor uses The Swim Lessons Company's state-of-the-art curriculum, lesson plans, teaching techniques, activities, and exercises that have not only taught thousands of children to swim, but have turned many swimmers into all state ad even nationally recognized competitive swimmers.

To ensure quality control, every teacher is personally trained by the program's owner and founder, Jim Reiser. In addition, each instructor is regularly evaluated and held accountable for providing your child with the best lessons anywhere!

All of The Swim Lessons Company certified teachers are also trained and certified in Lifeguarding, CPR, and First Aid.

"A friend of mine told us about The Swim Lessons Company and I am so glad she did. My children have learned so much from all the wonderful teachers. I still watch my children while they swim, but I am more relaxed than before. I believe swimming lessons year-round helps your child maintain their skills. My children look forward to each and every class and they get mad when they don't get to go. This has been the best decision I could have made."

Michelle Koen, Chapin