Melon Dash
Born in Schenectady, NY, Mary Ellen Dash. 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 Learn-to-Float Bar & Tether 2022. Leads the adult learn-to-swim industry in success with afraid adults. Lives in Sarasota, Florida.
Swimming: Swam four years in college. 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, and 200 I.M.
Works

Conquer Your Fear of Water A Revolutionary Way to Learn to Swim Without Ever Feeling Afraid
It’s okay to be afraid in water. The main factor that prevents adults from learning to swim is fear: fear of losing control, of inhaling water, of panicking, letting go of the wall, taking one’s feet off the bottom, and drowning. Learning the comfort skills that come before strokes is indispensable. They are not taught in traditional lessons. Give yourself a chance. Start at the beginning: you cannot possibly fail. Take small steps and learn what being in the water and feeling safe is about. Learning to swim is the inevitable result. This book covers all the steps of conquering fear of water. It does not cover strokes which are for efficiency, not comfort or safety. It unveils a new paradigm of learning. It's based in mindfulness.
Conquer Your Fear of the Triathlon Swim
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