Our Story

We are a veteran-owned and family-operated learn to swim program. The West family has years of swimming experience in and out of the pool. We are excited to share our expertise and motivate our swimmers to achieve new goals. Please come join us and help us grow the sport of swimming.

Ryan and Shada have been side by side on the pool deck for over 25 years. They formed Texas Swim Lessons in 2015 to bring a unique instruction program built on their experiences from the competitive pool deck to the U.S. Navy. They are highly experienced and trained coaches who want to share their love and passion for swimming with all of their students. They are ready to help you reach your swimming goals.

Meet the Team

Shada West

Program Director/Instructor

Shad has been teaching and running swim programs for over 25 years. Her passion for her swimmers is unparalleled. She is a certified swim coach with American Swim Coaches Association. She was the program director for Swim America in Dallas before moving to East Texas. 

Our swimmers are fancy

Ryan West

Ryan has been coaching for over 35 years. In his time, he has achieved ASCA Level 3 coaching certification. Ryan’s coaching style is fun but focused on the fundamentals of swimming. He makes working hard fun and his swimmers reap the benefits.

You got this!

My name is Katelyn Wyatt, I have been a swim instructor for Texas Swim Lessons for a year, and I have a blast teaching all my kids. I am a Junior at Whitehouse high school and have been competing for the Wild Cat Swim Team. Our team has made districts and regionals for the past three years, and I have competed in the 200 Freestyle and 200 Medley Relay, where I placed 3rd and 4th in the 100 Backstroke. I have earned my Lifeguard and CPR certifications this past year. I look forward to working this year with all the kids and helping them begin their swimming life.  

My name is Karson Soward. I have been swimming since I was 18 months old and started my journey on the swim team when I was in 5th grade. Now I am on the Varsity Whitehouse Swim Team and plan on pursuing competitive swimming for many years. I have the rank of star in Boy Scouts and am working toward becoming an Eagle Scout. I have many swimming and first aid merit badges and have been in scouts since 1st grade. I am excited to teach kids the skills have learned and help them with their journey in the water.

My name is Campbell Lavender, and I’m so excited to be working for Texas Swim lessons! A little about me, I have been swimming my whole life, since I was nine months old and swimming competitively for seven years. I am the Team Captain of our Varsity Swim Team at Whitehouse High School, and I am also involved in Metro, an outside club team. Over the years, I was recognized as Freshman Newcomer of the Year and rewarded with the Academic All-State award! I’ve competed in districts and regionals each year, and in my junior year, I advanced to the State level. I have also earned my Lifeguard and CPR certification. I can’t wait to guide your young swimmers into what I learned and grew to love at such a young age and get them to swimming