About Us

In Pagosa Springs we are blessed with natural hot springs, an abundance of rivers, lakes, and streams that offer us so many opportunities to enjoy time in and around water. Being able to swim opens up a whole world of endless recreational fun, fitness and preparedness for water sports.

Since 2011, Calm Waters Aquatics has offered a learn-to-swim program for toddlers, children and adults in Pagosa Springs, CO. We teach group and private lessons in two Pagosa Springs locations. Currently, Calm Waters Aquatics serves over 250 students per year.

We want people to love being in, around and part of the water as much as we do. 

Susan McKnight,

Program Director (on sabbatical in 2023)

Susan owns and operates Calm Waters Aquatics.  For over 40 years she has been an aquatics professional, teaching, coaching and managing facilities.  The I•CanSwim curriculum offered by Calm Waters Aquatics was developed by Susan. She was a Swim America Program Director for 15 years and operated a Swim America School in South Dakota as well as here in Pagosa Springs.  She has a B.S. in Physical Education with a swim coaching concentration from Colorado State University.

email: calmwatersaquatics@gmail.com

Anika Thomas,

I•Can•Swim Program Manager

Anika has been a Calm Waters Aquatics lead swim teacher since 2015 and a Site Supervisor since 2019.  She is a Level 2 Swim Coach certified by the American Swim Coaches Association.  She uses her creative, positive teaching style to great effect with swim students of all ages.  Anika’s teaching experience spans across multiple disciplines including; dance, music, skiing and academics. She is currently attending college in Denver at Colorado Christian University working towards degrees in Kinesiology and Music.

email: anika.icanswim@gmail.com

We are always looking for more locals who are interested in receiving training to teach using our methods so we can increase lesson availability to our community.