Katie was born in upstate New York and raised in Oregon. She spent 20 years in the Portland area playing outdoors and spending time in creeks, lakes, and pools in the Summer. Her parents always had her in swim lessons considering it a necessary, life-saving skill.

She was a swim team athlete through high school and continued her love of swimming in college. Katie studied biology and neuroscience at the University of Portland and holds a Bachelor of Science. She spent Summers working with the Oregon Coast Aquarium as an Aquatic Caretaker, caring for fish, other invertebrates, octopuses, and sharks. Following college, she spent time in Hawaii training dolphins.

She married her husband, an Air Force engineer, and moved to their new duty station, Eglin AFB in 2014. Three kids and a few moves later, Swim Life has provided crucial water safety for her young children, and a desire to help other families gain the necessary skills to prevent drowning and enjoy the water safely.

Katie and her family are happiest outdoors, in and around water, and spending time biking, swimming, and sandcastle building.

Some of Rachyl’s notable certificates and affiliations are:

• BS in Life Sciences with a minor in Neuroscience

• Swim Life Aquatic Education Specialist

• CPR/First Aid