MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

Ms. Sonja (Sawn-yuh) - Owner

Sonja grew up in Thomas, OK. & moved away for college in Fall of 2005. In September of 2019 she and her then 1 year old son, Kitson, moved back to Weatherford & Spring of 2023 back to Thomas. In January of 2025, after driving to Elk City/Altus/Arnett for 2.5 seasons, they made the move to Elk City.

Sonja also has a SeneGence beauty business “Red Dirt Rising”. She loves going to TheEdge & The Fount Church and camping with Kitson, heading to the gym and running in the cooler months. Fall is her favorite time of year!

Kitson attended and graduated from Swimmin' Safe's basic session with PediaSwim Certified Instructor Ms. Darcey in summer of 2020. He has continued with refresher & maintenance lessons ever since. He can now float and swim all the way across the pool. These lessons have given him a love for swimming and he would swim every day if he could.

Sonja chose this type of swim program for Kitson after hearing about it from her sister. One of her biggest fears as a mom was water. After lots of research and nearly backing out due to nerves she stuck with it. Kitson's basic lessons look a little longer than the average. (This wasn't easy for him or his momma). During this time, she was so incredibly grateful to Ms. Darcey for giving Kitson the skills he needed to stay safe around water. He now loves AND respects the water!!

In the fall of 2021 Sonja began working behind the scenes for Ms. Darcey as the office manager. In August of 2022, Sonja went to Florida and became PediaSwim certified because she believed in what it did for her son and is passionate about water safety. Upon completion of her certification Sonja returned home and finished out the 2022 season in Arnett and Elk City.

In the Spring of 2023 Red Dirt Survival Swim Co., LLC was born.

From Sonja "I’d like to encourage anyone considering these lessons but is a bit nervous, to take the steps to ensure your child only ever has safe experiences with water. Just like you wouldn't let your child play in the street to keep them from screaming don’t keep them out of swim lessons because its a little hard. From one mama heart to another, you’ll be so glad you did!!!"