About CKSWIMPRO (Connor Ann Kilbourn)

Born and raised in Rowayton, CT, I grew up swimming competitively on local teams and went on to swim the Masters Swim Program while attending the University of Southern California.  I have spent my entire life in the pool and on the water. In addition to competitive swimming, I am an avid sailor racing the mini little “Opti” and “Lasers” as a young child and crewing on larger boats as an adult on both coasts.  Being a mother of two boys (ages 16 and 18) has given me the additional compassion for teaching all children/adults alike, “the gift a swim”. Undoubtedly, one of the most important “learned” gift one can give themselves.

Favorite Quote: “Excluding disabilities, every child will get up and learn to walk on their OWN…however, regarding swimming, each child/adult must LEARN how to swim.”

I had the great honor of working for the Joan LaClair Swim School for over 20 years. Joan was a very well-known and highly regarded swim coach and instructor in the Fairfield County area for over 40 years. My successful teaching method has been developed from a combination of time working with Joan and years of competitive swimming. 

CKSwimPro offers a well-paced, progressive program—for children 2 years and up—to learn the four major swimming strokes.

-  xo Connor

“CHANGING THE PARADIGM”

- Using equal amounts of empathy, compassion and structure.

- Eliminating fear/anxiety and replacing with relaxation.

- Instilling TRUST between student(s) and instructor.

- Using positive tone and language. No need to use words like, “deep end” (most kids cant even stand in the shallow end), “sink”, “jump”, “don’t be scared” etc…these are all words and phrases that would frighten anyone! Rather, replace these undesirable words/phrases with: “Sunny side”, “splash”, “pop”, and “magic”…

- Maintaining my belief that RAPPORT with students is essential, I do not allow parents/caretakers on pool deck while lesson are in session. The best progress occurs out of your view! Its remarkable, in my experience, how on-lookers can deter student’s focus, therefore slowing the process and goals. Parent/Child separation is the first step towards INDEPENDENCE!

TESTIMONIALS:

“Connor, thank you for doing what you do and doing it so well. You provide an essential survival skill while instilling and building invaluable confidence. We are grateful for all you have given our girls. Thank you for your commitment to our daughter even when she has been challenging and resistant. You have had an immense impact on her. She spent the summer requesting I take videos of her swimming and send them to you. She was proud of herself and eager for you to be proud of her too.”

- Alyssa N  (11/23/23)

" Connor is known as the swim whisperer in my family.  Despite a lot of initial hesitation from both boys, Connor worked patiently with each of them to first build trust, and then give them the push they needed to develop swimming skills.  After two consecutive weeks of intensive lessons, our boys flourished as swimmers, both with Connor and on their own.  Now both of our boys carry with them an excellent foundation for swimming.  Our older son continues to swim on the west coast for a junior lifeguard training program."

-Besty K

"THANK YOU Connor Kilbourn!!! Henry is swimming like a fish - and all thanks go to you and your amazing aquatic instruction skillz!!! He's a Pisces but we had no idea a 2 1/2 year old could swim like this!! We are forever indebted to you!! XOXO!”

- Jennifer W

CKSwimPro (Connor Ann Kilbourn) was a Featured Speaker:

Middlesex Middle School’s 8th Grade Career Day 2021

“Connor, a mother of two boys (14 and 13), has over the past 28 years established her own unique and successful swim program, “CKSwimPro.” She has masterfully and respectfully created a method to teach swim to people ages 2-100 yrs in a successful consolidated one week program/and other short course extended sessions. Connor emphasizes the importance of: “removing the fear-factor and adding the relationship-trust factor.” This is the key to motivating anyone to become comfortable and confident in the water...which translates to SO much more out of the pool!!” 

What I deliver

Option of 6, 8 or 10 /1x week and bi-weekly lessons or more…We will customize a schedule to meet your child’s individual performance goals and needs.

*Please note that lessons held consecutively 2x or 3x per week (days.. not weeks) are highly recommended for new swimmers help facilitate:

-Student-Teacher relationship,

-Self Confidence

-Water Comfortableness