About Tiffany

Tiffany Harmon,

 is the owner and lead instructor of Seahorse Swim School, Inc. With nearly four decades of experience in aquatic safety and swim instruction, Tiffany considers herself a trusted resource for the Santa Cruz community.

Tiffany’s Story

“I have been swimming since I was a toddler and am truly grateful for the life-saving skills I learned early in life.”

Tiffany had her first swimming lesson at age four. By age seven, she joined her local YMCA swim team and continued swimming competitively with several YMCA programs in Southern California through high school. During her teenage years, she also participated in Junior Lifeguards at Will Rogers State Beach in Santa Monica, California, where she further developed her passion for ocean and water safety.

Her training in safety began even earlier—at age eight, her mother began taking her to American Red Cross First Aid classes. At seventeen, Tiffany earned her first Lifeguard Training and Water Safety Instructor certifications through the American Red Cross, beginning what would become a lifelong career in aquatic education.

Tiffany started working as a lifeguard and swim instructor for the City of Los Angeles, where she further developed her skills as a swim teacher. The American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor (WSI) program provided the strong foundation that helped shape her teaching philosophy. Today, with over 38 years of experience, she combines these proven fundamentals with her own effective, supportive teaching style.

Private Instruction & Competitive Swimming

In 1993, after years of teaching group lessons, Tiffany began offering private swimming lessons in backyard pools throughout Los Angeles, traveling with her equipment and focusing on water safety, stroke development, and individualized instruction.

From 1993–1995, Tiffany swam competitively for Santa Monica College, where she trained up to four hours per day, six days per week, often swimming over 10,000 yards daily. In 1995, she ranked 8th in the 50-yard backstroke at the Southern California Conference Championships.

Education

In 1998, Tiffany earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, focusing her studies on Child Development and Social/Organizational Psychology. This background continues to influence her teaching methods, helping her connect with children and families in a supportive and developmentally appropriate way.

Instructor Trainer & Lifesaving Education

Since 1996, Tiffany has served as an American Red Cross Instructor and Instructor Trainer, teaching numerous lifesaving courses including:

• American Red Cross Lifeguard Training

• American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer

• American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor Trainer Certification

• American Red Cross Adult, Child, and Infant CPR

• First Aid

Since 1999, Tiffany has also been an American Red Cross Instructor Trainer in Water Safety Instruction (WSIT). This certification allows her to train and certify new swim instructors, helping grow the next generation of aquatic educators.

As a Lifeguarding Instructor, Tiffany trains and certifies lifeguards to respond confidently in emergency situations. Together with her advanced instructors, she also mentors both new and experienced swim instructors throughout the Monterey Bay Area, helping ensure high-quality swim instruction across the community.

Seahorse Swim Academy- Aptos (private pool)

In 2025, Tiffany created the Seahorse Swim Academy, fulfilling a lifelong dream with a teaching pool at her backyard. This peaceful setting allows for focused seasonal instruction in a serene, safe, and supportive learning environment with expert instruction.

Seahorse Swim School – Santa Cruz Elks Lodge 

In 2026, Seahorse Swim School reopened its seasonal swim program at the Elks Lodge in Santa Cruz. Families can check the Programs section on the home page for current class offerings and updates. After 20 years of building Seahorse Swim School swim programs all over the county of Santa Cruz, we have landed once again at 150 Jewell Street in Santa Cruz. Look for expansion of program in 2026 and beyond at the Elks Lodge.

Positive Parenting Discipline Certification

In early 2026, Tiffany became certified as a Positive Parenting Discipline Educator, expanding her knowledge in child development and positive behavior guidance. This training supports her approach to teaching children with encouragement, clear communication, and respect for each child’s learning process.

A Message from Tiffany

“It is truly my pleasure and joy to teach you and your children to swim. I believe swimming is a lifelong, life-saving skill. I am also passionate about training the next generation of swim instructors as we continue building our team in Santa Cruz at the Elks Lodge.

Please feel free to call or email with any questions.”