Full Story From The Naperville Sun
The Naperville Sun
Pool Resources
New swimming center gives students opportunity to take to the water
By Ron Pazola
July, 14, 2003
Pool resources
New swimming center gives students opportunity to take to the water
Eight-year-old Michael Mueller made an awkward fish. He swam through the water a little unsteadily, gaining confidence with each new stroke. What he lacked in grace, he made up for in determination.
“That’s it. You’re doing fine,” said Kate Lippoldt, his swimming instructor and cheerleader.
Lippoldt of Aurora waded over to Michael, his head bobbing in the water.
“Breathe out to the side,” Lippoldt said. “Now extend your right arm outward, followed by your left arm. Keep your head down.
The boy mimicked Lippoldt’s motions, soon finding himself at the end of the pool.
Lippoldt – one of eight instructors at the newly opened DuPage Swimming Center in Aurora – teaches swimming during the summer, when she’s not working as a certified school psychologist during the rest of the year.
Brooke Lippoldt of Naperville, Kate’s sister-in-law, also gives lessons at the facility.
“I really enjoy teaching kids how to swim,” she said. “It’s very rewarding to see them improve.”
The center opened May 8 in a recently constructed 14,000 square foot building.
“I really thought there was a need for this type of facility,” owner Ross Seymour said. “Swim classes in the area fill up quickly and our business offers another option for people.”
Swimming has always been a part of Seymour’s life. As a boy growing up in Melbourne, Australia, Seymour took advantage of his country’s beaches. He also developed a love of swimming from his father, who also swam.
An activity Seymour originally did for fun eventually turned into something more. He attended Oklahoma State University with a swimming scholarship. In 1973, Seymour placed fifth in the 100 meter Butterfly stroke competition in the World Swimming Championships in Belgrade, Yugoslavia. And he swam in the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.
But Seymour believed he would make his mark in the classroom rather than in the water.
After completing his graduate studies at Florida State University, he taught education classes at George Williams College in Downers Grove.
To supplement his income during the summer, he started a part-time business in 1982 that managed and serviced pools in the Chicago area.
Seymour found he enjoyed operating his own business more than teaching, and Swimming Pool Management Systems grew into a full-time pursuit in 1086. he now manages and maintains 35 outdoor pools.
Seymour also started Pool Guards Inc., which trains and supplies lifeguards for public swimming pools in the area.