While our main goal in our Swim School program at SwimRVA is to help individuals develop lifesaving swimming skills, another major goal is to see swimmers continue to explore a path in aquatics. Kudzayi, a current SwimRVA Rapids swimmer, is an excellent example of this.

Kudzayi started her swimming journey in SwimRVA’s Preschool lessons, working her way through the stations and graduating in 2023. She then continued with us by enrolling in School Age lessons, where she built on skills from Preschool lessons to develop vital swimming abilities as she progressed through the various stations. Kudzayi checked off her final skill and graduated from the Swim School program in February 2025. While some may see this milestone as the end, for Kudzayi it was just the beginning.

From there, Kudzayi decided to join the SwimRVA Rapids Swim Team. As a member of the Novice group, she continued building on the skills she learned in Swim School while beginning to navigate the world of competitive swimming.

When fall 2025 arrived, Kudzayi found herself in yet another program at SwimRVA, this time returning to the instructional pool with her second grade class to participate in SwimRVA’s Learn-to-Swim program. She took on a special role by helping instructors demonstrate swim skills and keeping her classmates engaged and excited.

Today, Kudzayi is still working hard in the pool with the SwimRVA Rapids. Most recently, she competed in SwimRVA’s Long Course Community League meet, held in an Olympic 50-meter format. Completing 50 yards unassisted is the mark of an advanced, thriving swimmer, and Kudzayi achieved this with ease.

We’re glad to see how much Kudzayi has progressed, and with her younger sister now in lessons, she can continue to be a strong swimming role model for both her classmates and her family!