Water Safety Training: Building Water Confidence

Dawn was born in New York, went to college in Boston, and moved to California to pursue a career in film and television writing. After 12 years in the entertainment industry, Dawn became a mother and shifted her focus to raising her daughter while working part-time as an open water lifeguard and private swim coach.

In addition to writing, Dawn's passion has always been tied to the water, whether swimming, surfing, or lifeguarding. She joined her first swim team at the age of ten, became a pool lifeguard and swim instructor during high school and college, and then an ocean lifeguard during a hiatus for a television show she wrote.

Currently, Dawn is an open water lifeguard for the City of Los Angeles, serving as a Rescue Boat Captain. She has experience as a Junior Lifeguard Instructor, Lifeguard Academy Instructor, and CPR certification trainer, ensuring her skills are up to date for emergency situations. Additionally, she created a highly successful Open Water Safety Class and Junior Guard Prep Program for the Bel Air Bay Club.

Dawn holds certifications as a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, Lifeguard Instructor, and Emergency Response Instructor, as well as being certified as an LA County EMT. She coaches for the Manhattan Beach Dolphins Masters Swim Team and started SwimSurfSurvive in 2000 to provide private swim lessons and Junior Lifeguard training for her community.

Dawn lives in Hermosa Beach with her husband, Brian, a program manager, and their daughter, Sandra, who is currently attending SDSU. She swims for SOBA Masters and completes the Pier to Pier Swim every summer. She enjoys working with young swimmers to develop and nurture a lifelong love for the sport, whether in the pool or the ocean.