In the heart of Roman Forest, Texas, a pool shimmers with purpose. It’s not just a place where children learn to swim—it’s where lives are being saved every single day. Behind it all is Glendy Herron, the passionate force behind Glendy’s WaterBabies, who has been teaching swim lessons for more than five decades. Her journey is more than a business—it’s a lifelong calling.
Glendy’s story began at 13 when she met renowned coach Phil Hansel. By 16, she was teaching swim lessons at her parents’ pool after being fired from a city pool for teaching her own way. At 17, she was running the Humble City Pool and training others in her unique method. By 20, she had saved enough to build her own pool and launch her business full-time at her home. Her approach was simple: teach kids to swim safely, quickly, and with confidence. Lessons can begin as early as six months old with her famous “five days, 30 minutes a day” method that has helped thousands of children become competent swimmers, many within just 2.5 hours of instruction.
Glendy’s reach extends far beyond her backyard pool. Over the decades, she has taught children with cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, non-functioning limbs, hearing loss, brittle bones, and countless others from around the world—including families from Spain, Dubai, Hawaii, and beyond. Her reputation continues to grow, drawing celebrity children, athletes, and everyday kids alike. Many of her students have gone on to break high school and college swim records, and her son now carries on the legacy as a coach. Glendy was honored to attend the 1996 Olympic Games as a guest of the U.S. swim team coaches.
But Glendy’s mission goes far beyond swim lessons. “People are searching for cures for children’s diseases, but drowning is preventable,” she says. Across the nation, water-related incidents continue to be one of the top causes of serious injury among children, which is why water safety knowledge is imperative in today's world. Most happen in backyard or neighborhood pools, places that should feel safe. Instead, she emphasizes true water independence. She also advises parents to secure backdoors with slide locks, lock and secure doggy doors, install cameras with phone alerts like Nest, and never rely on puddle jumpers. “They create false security,” she warns. It is also not a bad idea to have a long pole and fishnet near the pool to help rescue a child quietly slipping beneath the surface. “Drowning is silent,” she warns. “You rarely hear them fall in.”
Now at 72, Glendy has no plans to stop. She’s even joked about outfitting a walker with tennis balls and continuing from the poolside. “As long as I can move my arms and speak my instructions, I’ll keep teaching,” she says, laughing. She recommends starting water safety awareness as early as February to help families prepare for spring. With every lesson, Glendy reinforces a message of prevention, presence, and purpose. “When God gives you something,” she says, “it never fails.” And for Glendy, that gift continues to ripple out, saving lives one child at a time.
Glendy has dedicated her life to saving others. Through her work, she’s empowered children and families with the tools they need to stay safe, confident, and strong in the water—and in life. Her legacy is not just one of swimming, but of courage, compassion, and community. To thousands of families, she’s more than a swim instructor—she’s a lifesaver in a swimsuit.
To learn more or register for lessons, visit GlendysWaterBabies.com.