About

Born Mary Ellen Dash in Schenectady, NY, 1955. Swam competitively from age seven onward. Founded and opened Miracle Swimming School for Adults in 1983 in Berkeley, California. Developed new paradigm of teaching based on mindfulness, 1983—the 5 Circles Teaching Method. Produced video, The Miracle Swimmer in 2000. Launched international instructor training program in 2004. Published second edition of book, Conquer Your Fear of Water: A Revolutionary Way to Learn to Swim Without Ever Being Afraid in 2022, Brooklyn Writers Press. Patented Aquatic Learning Station in 2022. Leader in the adult learn-to-swim industry for teaching afraid adults to be comfortable and safe in deep water. Lives in Sarasota, Florida.

Swimming: four years at UMass/Amherst. New England records, Eastern Collegiate Champion, 1975, 100 yard butterfly, 60.7. M.S. degree, University of Michigan, Education/Exercise Physiology, 1980. Nationally ranked Masters swimmer in 100 fly, 50 and 100 breaststroke, 200 I.M., 200 Mixed Free Relay.

Featured Work

Conquer Your Fear of WaterA Revolutionary Way to Learn to Swim Without Ever Feeling Afraid

2022
blue cover of Conquer Your Fear of Water, Second Edition, by Melon Dash

It’s okay to be afraid in water. Do you wish you felt "normal" at the pool and beach? Have you tried traditional lessons of kicking, blowing bubbles, push-and-glides? Those have nothing to do with overcoming fear or learning to be safe in deep water. If you dread losing control, inhaling water, panicking, letting go of the wall, or taking your feet off the bottom, join half the adults in the United States who feel the same way. Learn a system that cannot possibly fail (though teachers and students can fail to use it) that has sustained itself for forty years by success with over 6000 afraid-in-water adults. Comfort must come before skills. Give yourself a chance. Start where you are now at the beginning of comfort. Take small steps and learn how the water works. Learn and practice all the steps of conquering fear of water. Our readers and students then say, "I can swim!"

Other Works

  • Conquer Your Fear of the Triathlon Swim

    2020

Awards and Recognition

  • Aquatics International magazine designation: "Power 25" Aquatics Professional in 2005 and 2010 U.S. Masters Swimming Adult-Learn-to-Swim grant, 2012 National Swimming Pool Foundation grant, 2012 USA Swimming Foundation Adult-Learn-to-Swim grant, 2022

Press and Media Mentions