About Mary McLaughlin
Mary brings over 30 years of aquatic experience to her learn to swim and
swim team programs.

Some of her swimming highlights include the following:

  • American record holder in the 50 yard freestyle.
  • World ranked swimmer in the 50 and 100 freestyle as well as the 100 butterfly.
  • US Olympic trials in 1980 and 1984  - 50 & 100 freestyle and 100 butterfly.
  • Represented the United States on national teams.
  • CIF Record holder for 20 plus years - 100 butterfly.
  • Qualified for US Senior Nationals at the age of 12.
  • Held numerous National Age Group swimming records.
  • Named to the Junior National Women's Water Polo Team.

Coaching/Teaching Experience

  • Current Head Coach - Boys and Girls Swimming and Diving  @ JSerra Catholic
    High School
  • Started to teach swimming in 1982 while in high school and continued through
    her breaks while swimming at USC.
  • Traveled though South East Asia and Indonesia teaching swim clinics.
  • Head girls swim coach at San Marino High School.
  • Age group coach at St. Charles Swim Club, St. Charles, IL.
  • San Clemente Youth Water Polo Assistant Coach - trained several  players for
    the US Junior National Team.
  • Founder Talega Tiger Sharks - 2008 South Orange County Swim League
    Champions.
  • Ocean Lifeguard for 12 years- City of Long Beach
  • Nellie Gail Gators Swim Team - Age Group Coach
Mary's Philosophy

    Mary came from a "swim family". She was the youngest of four children and began swimming just to keep
    busy while her older siblings swam on a local swim team. Swimming started for Mary as a place to play,
    became a chance to chase an Olympic dream, an opportunity to attend college and now a gift that she can
    share with so many children.

    Mary has spent 30 plus years in this sport as a world ranked swimmer, as a coach of children ages 4-19, a
    teacher to thousands of children and the most rewarding, as parent of a swimmer. As an athlete, coach,
    teacher and swim parent Mary has a vast knowledge and experience of swimming at every level.

    "The sport of swimming has given me so many wonderful experiences and I feel so lucky to be able to give
    back. My joy comes in giving children this life skill, preparing a nervous swimmer for their very first swim meet,
    sharing the accomplishment with a swimmer after they qualify for their first championship meet, or watching
    one of my swimmers compete at the Olympic Trials. It is such an incredible feeling to share these amazing
    experiences with them and have it come full circle."  

What Other's are Saying about Mary

    "We truly feel blessed to have Mary available as a swim instructor in Talega.  Our three children have all
    taken lessons from Mary and she is professional, caring and great with the kids.  She has also been
    wonderful for our son who participated on the pre-swim team.  He has ADHD and a learning disability and she
    was great in understanding how to effectively engage with him and meet his needs to see him succeed in the
    pool.  I highly recommend her program." - Meredith R.

    "After trying 3 different swim teachers and swim schools (2 here in San Clemente) and having their programs
    change without notice, not having a main teacher present ever and not getting results after two full years, I
    know it takes a special talent, dedication and professionalism to create a program like Swim with Mary.  Mary
    was the only teacher who achieved the results that I could finally witness - taking my son from a challenging
    non-swimmer to becoming water safe and a member of the Talega Pre-Team." -  Judy C.

    "I find Mary to be the most passionate, dedicated instructor my kids have ever encountered in any sport. Her
    love for the sport of swimming is so evident in everything she does and she is wonderful with the kids.  Her
    Passion is contagious and we couldn't be happier with her or her program." - Stephanie C.

    "Mary McLaughlin has a gift in working with children. I have watched Mary take my VERY frightened non-
    swimmer to learning all four strokes with a smile. My children love Mary and look forward to the swim
    programs every summer because they know they are going to feel welcomed. Mary's love for her work is
    overflowing and the kids feel it. Mary runs a top notch program!" - Agnes P.         

    "We contacted Mary to work with our club team kids. I had heard she is very good at teaching proper
    technique and can understand what the kids are going through because she has been there herself. The
    kids enjoyed being around her and loved that she made them laugh. I loved that my children received very
    high quality instruction and she continues to follow up on my kids at every meet. Mary is caring, fun and it is
    clear she loves her swimmers. I would recommend her program to anyone who wants the best swim instructor
    in Orange County." - Trish A.

    "My husband grew up as a competitive swimmer and has been involved in aquatics for most of his life. He
    had reservations about putting our daughter in swim lessons with somebody else. After hearing about Mary's
    program and the positive feedback from many neighbors, we gave Swim with Mary a shot. I could not believe
    the instant connection Mary had with our daughter and my husband was very impressed with her extensive
    knowledge on current rules and regulations. Our daughter has gone on to pursue another sport but she
    always loves running into Mary and knows that Mary truly cares about her even after all these years. Mary
    was able to impress my husband which is no easy feat." - Glenda P.

    "The Nellie Gail Gators have been the fortunate recipient of Mary's time, talent and summer league
    swimmers. Mary sends athletes to us with an excellent foundation and proper swimming technique. The
    swimmers that come to us from Mary are well prepared and transition extremely well. Mary offered her talents
    to my program as we transitioned to a new head age group coach and continued to gain my respect with her
    ability to identify areas of improvement and her passion for the sport of swimming." - Louis Demetriades,
    Head Coach and Owner, NGSV Swim Club