Private Lessons

If you would like to schedule a private lesson with a DAM coach please read the following bios and pick a coach to contact directly by email for your private lesson request. To better serve your swimming needs, please include the following information in your email to the coach:

• Level of past swimming experience
• What you hope to learn in your lesson and/or what goals you have for the lesson (for example to improve my stroke/breathing technique for lap swimming or triathlon training)

Coach Jim Montgomery

Since 1981, Jim has developed the Masters swim concept and is currently co-owner and Head Coach of the Dallas Aquatic Masters Swim Club, one of the top adult fitness exercise programs in the country. He teaches all swimming levels from beginner to advanced competitor and triathlete. Jim serves as aquatics director and head varsity swim coach at Greenhill School in Dallas, Texas. Jim has also excelled in sports, having been a consistent champion throughout his swimming career; he has held 10 world records and won 9 World Championships, 14 Masters World Championships, 14 National Titles and 7 N.C.A.A. Titles. As a member of the 1976 U.S.A. Olympic Team, Jim won three gold medals and one bronze medal, and was the first man ever to break 50 seconds in the 100-meter freestyle.

Jim is not only a great athlete and an expert coach for swim training, but also a caring and patient teacher who will help the frightened beginner build confidence and learn to swim. Jimis committed to making sure all of his students are water-safe and ableto enjoy all the benefits that a life of swimming can offer. Private lessons with Jim take place at several locations in the Dallas area.

Fees: $120 for one hour, $90 for 45 minutes, $60 for 30 minutes
Pool locations: The J Medical City Fitness Center
To register for classes please click here to visit Jim Montgomery's swim class schedule page online or email .

Coach Bobby Patten

A native of Colorado and a High School All American, he earned a scholarship to compete at Southern Methodist University.He was a five-time NCAA division I All American. While at SMU Bobby wasa member of the US Open and American Record 400 Medley Relay swimming the butterfly. He represented the USA on national teams including the 1982 World Championship team and the 1987 Pan Pacific Championship team.Patten is an experienced open water swimmer and has been the overall winner of the Waikiki Roughwater Swim, the Alcatraz Sharkfest Swim, and the Lake Minnetonka 5-mile Open Water National Championship Swim. Bobby holds Masters World and American Records in several events including the200 butterfly, 1500 meter freestyle and the 10,000 meters.

Patten has coached swimming for over 25 years and is the co-founder and head coach of the Dallas Aquatic Masters. He is also in his 10th year of coaching the Hockaday Daisies Swim Team.

Fees: $55 for 30 minutes and $100 for 60 minutes
Pool Location: The Verandah Club pool
Contact Bobby at .

Coach Lia Oberstar-Brown

Lia is a 5-time Indiana High School State Champion inducted into the Indiana Swimming Hall of Fame in 2007.She attended Southern Methodist University from 1995-1999 where she wasa 4 time NCAA Champion and SMU record holder in several events. At the international level, Lia competed at the 1997 World Championships where she earned a silver and a bronze medal. She has held 2 American records in the 200 back and the 400 medley relay. She was also a member of the USA National Team that swam at the 1997 Pan Pacific Games in Japan and the 1999 Pan Pacific Games in Australia. She competed in 2 Olympic Trials (1996 and 2000). At the Master's level she is a 3 time World Record Holder in the backstroke events and a many-time National Champion.

Lia currently coaches for Dallas Aquatic Masters Swim Club, Dallas Mustangs and Parish Episcopal School. Also, she has been teaching private lessons for swimmers of all ages andabilities for 10 years.

Fees: $35 for 30 minutes, $55 for 45 minutes and $70 for 60 minutes
Location: J Medical City Fitness Center pool
Contact Lia at http://www.swimlessonsbylia.com/

Coach Liana McStravick

Liana has been swimming competitively since age four.As an age-grouper, she was a consistent Junior National and National qualifier in mid-distance and distance freestyle events, winning the 200 free at the Alabama State H.S. Championship. Liana swam distance freestyle events for SMU 1985-1989 and was Team Captain 1988-1989.

She has been a DAM coach since fall 2001 and has been teaching Swim Basics since its inception in 2003. Liana specializes in breathing and stroke fundamentals for beginning swimmers and distance and open water training.

Fees: $40 for 30 minutes, $75 for 60 minutes
Location: Baylor Fitness Center, The J Medical City Fitness Center
Contact Liana at .

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