Meet Tonya Finley


Tonya Finley’s lifelong journey in swimming began early, inspired by a near-drowning experience involving her sister. She competed  from ages 5 to 17, earning a top-10 U.S. ranking by age 10. Trained by renowned instructor Honey Lanning, Tonya became a lifeguard, instructor, and coach in her teens, later earning her WSI certification and a BA in Physical Education.

With over 40 years of experience,Tonyahas taught swimmers of all ages and levels—from infants to Ironman athletes to active seniors. She served as a Level 2 USA Swimming head coach from 2008–2016, growing a local program from 40 to over 100 athletes and mentoring a strong coaching team. As an assistant high school coach, she contributed to three state championship titles.

In 2018, she founded Swim 4 Life, which now serves over 100 students weekly in a community of 20,000. Tonya runs her own custom-built swim facility with a 20,000-gallon pool and swim spa, leading a team of six instructors and two support staff. Her mission remains simple: make swimming accessible, safe, and joyful for every family

Tonya's Swim Retreat Presentation

The ABC’s of Swimming – Teaching with Simplicity, Purpose, and Play

The ABC’s of Swimming was developed as a simple, effective way to break down the foundational elements of swimming into three essential components: Air, Body Position, and Core Kicking. Originally created to empower parents—especially those in vulnerable communities with limited access to ongoing lessons—the ABC model is equally powerful for instructors looking to strengthen their teaching flow, communicate more clearly with families, and support faster, safer progress for young swimmers.

This session will focus on how to apply the ABC’s of Swimming in instructional settings—whether with beginners, in parent-and-me classes, or while training new instructors. You’ll leave with practical strategies for cueing, progressions, combinations, and maintaining fun and frequency without sacrificing technique or safety.

Why the ABC’s?

Many families are either intimidated by the water or financially stretched by the cost of ongoing lessons. My goal is to demystify swim progress, helping both instructors and parents understand that solid progress comes down to a few simple—but essential—skills, repeated with purpose and play. We’re not “throw-them-in” teachers—we’re building confident, capable swimmers in a clear, gentle, and structured way.

See Tonya's Presentation and More this october!