About LowCountry Swim School

Wendy is the owner and founder of LowCountry Swim School, bringing over 30 years of experience in aquatics. Her journey began in high school under the mentorship of Aquatic Director Carla Chelko at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. While competing on her high school swim team, Wendy discovered a passion for teaching students with disabilities and special needs—a passion that guided her work as a swim instructor and lifeguard throughout high school and college.

As a mother, Wendy continued to volunteer in aquatics and other sports while her own children swam competitively. After relocating to Charleston in 2017, she recognized the growing need for swimming and water safety in the LowCountry and has since dedicated herself to serving the Charleston community with the same passion and expertise that has defined her lifelong career.

Brian serves as the CSO (Chief Strategy Officer) for Lowcountry Swim School as well as serving as CSM (Client Success Manager) for SouthStar Capital.  Additionally, Brian is a member of the advisory council for the IBM Z ScaleUp  Programs and on the Advisory Board at the Harbor Entrepreneur Center in Charleston, SC.  As CSO, Brian helps develop, communicate, and execute the organization's strategies to enhance initiatives and meet future growth.  As CSM, Brian's role is to improve Customer Satisfaction by actively listening to all clients and acting as a Solutions Provider to bring about Business Process Improvements for both employees and the customers of the company.

 Kim is born and raised in Charleston SC, grew up swimming competitively in West Ashley for 12 years, and has over 10 years experience swim lessons and lifeguard. She is a graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelors majoring in Community Recreation, Sports, & Camp Management with a minor in Recreational Therapy and a Masters in Parks and Recreation. Kim is also certified in CPR/AED/First Aid, Lifeguarding, and Lifeguarding Instructing. She is very excited to get back to her roots and is thrilled to be a part of this team.  Kim Wears many hats with LowCountry Swim School

  Malia is a certified Emergency Medical Technician and a previous Ocean Lifeguard for San Diego Fire and Rescue. She graduated from

Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminology, Criminal Justice and Psychological Sciences. She is an avid ocean swimmer and competes in races all around the world including Turkey and Hawaii. She has been teaching all ages how to swim for 5+ years. She loves the water and believes that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy of swimming.

  Lynn brings over 20 years of experience in swim instruction and working with individuals with special needs. She is certified in ABA, Behavioral Health, and holds credentials as both a Paraprofessional and Paraeducator. Additionally, she is certified with Swim Angelfish for our Adaptive Swim Program at Levels 1-3. Lynn is a tremendous asset to our team and the Special Needs community, and we are excited to have her with us. 

  Macey is originally from Athens, Georgia, and recently relocated to Charleston to pursue new endeavors while finishing her real-estate school by the coast. She is passionate about family, the outdoors, and spending time with her sweet golden retriever, Comet. With over 7 years of customer service experience, Macey loves helping those around her and looks forward to making a positive impact in her new community. 

  Jessica is a devoted mom to three sweet boys and works as a bridal hairstylist. With a deep passion for the water, she enjoys beach and pool days, especially when it means getting her young kids comfortable in the water. Having swam since she was 7 years old and participated in a variety of sports, Jessica brings both experience and enthusiasm to her aquatic adventures. In her free time, she cherishes moments spent with her family and enjoys outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, kayaking, and tennis. 

  Gannon is our Specialized Advanced Instructor who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to LowCountry Swim School. With a background in Swim Team and coaching in Miami, he holds numerous credentials that speak to his proficiency in the sport. With over 20 years of swimming experience, Gannon is passionate about working with everyone—from beginners to the most advanced swimmers. If you're looking for a master instructor who can elevate your skills, Gannon is the perfect choice. 

   Meet Kelsie! She is a passionate Special Education teacher who loves both teaching and coaching swimming. Originally from Ohio, Kelsie swam competitively for 15 years and has spent the past eight summers as an assistant swim coach for a summer swim league. She is thrilled to be part of the LowCountry Swim School team, where she looks forward to teaching water safety, refining swim techniques, and, most importantly, making swimming a fun and enjoyable experience for all! 

Gabriela  is a recent graduate from the University of Georgia where she earned a Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences and a Masters of Arts in Nonprofit Management. She received additional certificates in Disability Studies and Gerontological Studies, as well as a 200 hr yoga certification. She has loved all things involving water since she was young and has 3 years of high school swim team experience. She has a passion for empowering others of all ages and abilities and is excited to share her love of the aquatics with her community! 

 Monique brings over 35 years of experience teaching swimming to children and adults of all ages and skill levels. Originally from Brazil, she began her journey as a swim instructor in 1990 and has taught hundreds of students through private lessons, group classes, and community programs both in the U.S. and abroad.

Certified by the American Red Cross as a Water Safety Instructor, Monique is known for her calm, intuitive approach to teaching. She specializes in helping children feel safe and confident in the water without relying on flotation devices, using gentle submersion techniques and natural progression to encourage independent swimming.

Monique recently moved to South Carolina and is excited to be part of the Lowcountry Swim School team. She is passionate about water safety and loves seeing her students grow into strong, joyful swimmers.

   Meet Brianna! Born and raised in South Carolina, she grew up swimming and fishing with her dad, developing a deep love for the water. She recently joined LowCountry Swim and enjoys helping others build confidence in the pool. Brianna lives in Moncks Corner with her three kids and is currently working toward a degree in health science, with hopes of becoming a physical therapist in the future. When she’s not busy with work or school, she loves hiking, listening to music, and spending time outdoors with her family. Staying active and connected to nature is where she feels most at home! 

   My name is Katie Berkos, and I’m 23 years old. I live in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, where I share a home with my mom. We have three dogs—two Dachshunds and one Chiweenie.

Outside of swimming, I enjoy freshwater fishing and was even a member of my high school’s fishing team! I started swimming lessons at the age of two and began swimming competitively in third grade. I swam on a summer swim team as well as my high school’s swim team for four years, qualifying for regionals starting my freshman year. During that time, I earned multiple awards for my performance.

My mom used to call me a fish because I was always in the water and never wanted to get out. Swimming has always been a passion of mine, and I love sharing that passion by teaching kids how to swim. I'm excited to work with your child this summer and am committed to helping them stay safe and have fun in the water!

Meet Bella! A Charleston native, she is a Graduate of the University of South Carolina, studying Biology. Bella has always had a deep love for the water and has been part of both the Carolina Band in the fall and the Gamecock Rowing Club in the spring. She is CPR/AED and First Aid certified and has been with LowCountry Swim School since the summer of 2021. Bella is a huge asset to our summer program, bringing her passion, experience, and dedication to every lesson!

 Proud mom to a 22-year-old son and 18-year-old daughter, and dog mom to Maggie and Molly. Originally from Michigan, she's called South Carolina home since 1989. A dedicated EMT and 68W medic with the South Carolina Army National Guard since 2017, she brings a wealth of experience from hospital settings, 911 response, plasma centers, junior sports coaching, management, and training. A former high school athlete in swim (butterfly, freestyle, relay), volleyball, and track, she’s always thrived in fast-paced, team-driven environments. Now, she's diving into a new adventure—and ready to make a splash! 

 With over seven years of experience in aquatics, Maya is a dedicated swim instructor. A former competitive swimmer, she brings both technical expertise and a deep love for the sport to every lesson. Her background includes coaching swim teams with 100+ members and providing private one-on-one instruction. Maya has also worked as a lifeguard, ensuring not only strong skill development but also a focus on safety and confidence in the water. When she’s not teaching, she’s probably reading, kayaking, or out on a walk.