Matti Svoboda

Hi!  I'm Matti Svoboda and I am very excited to become part of the BDA family.  I have loved to swim as long as I can remember, and started swimming competitively at the age of 6.  I grew up in Indiana and was a AAA level swimmer, including swimming all four years of high school.  I swam one year in Indiana and the last three in Asheville, and was team captain all four years and a state level swimmer. Due to shoulder injuries I stopped swimming competitively once I went to UNC, but that didn't keep me out of the water!

Naturally, my first job in high school was a lifeguard and swim instructor at the Asheville YMCA. I continued my YMCA career by working with the Chapel Hill-Carrboro YMCA for 8 years, the last two as the Aquatic and Safety Coordinator. For the last 12 years I have worked with various Aquatic Programs in the triangle and held various positions in the Aquatics industry but my favorite roles are those which involve teaching, particularly swim lessons.  I love teaching children and adults of all ages and skills levels. If I had to pick, my favorite groups to work with are preschool students and children with special needs.

During my tenure in the aquatics business, I also coached with various local year round, summer league, and high school swim teams.  Just prior to coming to BDA, I taught lessons independently as well as taught preschool at a local preschool. I am very excited to be part of this new chapter of BDA and to continue to uphold its philosophies and strong commitment to the community.

When not at the pool, I enjoy spending time outdoors and hanging out with my friends, husband, turtle, and several cats.