# Jon Foss

> Jon Foss is the Minnesota-based co-founder of Foss Swim School, established with his wife Susan in 1993. A former St. Olaf college swimmer and competitive coach, he developed the school’s swimming curriculum and helped design its teaching pools. He is also an inventor and the author of The Oxenforders Begin to Swim. Company announcements identify him as chairman; Craig O’Halloran became CEO in 2021.

- **Role:** Co-founder and chairman at Foss Swim School
- **Organizations:** Foss Swim School, St. Olaf College, Aquajets Swim Team
- **Education:** St. Olaf College
- **Known for:** All-American swimmer and men’s team captain at St. Olaf, as described in his college’s 2022 biology alumni newsletter., Co-created Foss Swim School and developed its teaching curriculum., St. Olaf’s 2022 alumni newsletter credited him with five U.S. patents covering areas including school software and swim-training paddles.

## Career timeline

- **1983-1987** — Swam for St. Olaf under coach Dave Hauck; class of 1987.
- **1987** — Developed KADS competitive-swimming teaching manuals.
- **1993** — Co-founded Foss Swim School with Susan Foss; first twelve students taught in March in a rented apartment pool.
- **1994** — Began designing pools for swim instruction.
- **1998** — Opened a purpose-built school at Knollwood Mall in St. Louis Park.
- **2010** — Foss Swim School expanded into Illinois.
- **2021** — Published The Oxenforders Begin to Swim; Craig O’Halloran became Foss Swim School CEO.
- **2022** — Announced a partnership with former student and Olympic swimmer Regan Smith.
- **2023** — Marked thirty years of Foss Swim School; publicly identified as chairman.
- **2025** — Represented Foss Swim School in its announcement of a partnership with Every Child A Swimmer.

## Achievements

- All-American swimmer and men’s team captain at St. Olaf, as described in his college’s 2022 biology alumni newsletter.
- Co-created Foss Swim School and developed its teaching curriculum.
- St. Olaf’s 2022 alumni newsletter credited him with five U.S. patents covering areas including school software and swim-training paddles.
- Author of The Oxenforders Begin to Swim, published in 2021.

## Latest updates

- **2025-01** — Spoke as co-founder in the announcement of Foss Swim School’s partnership with Every Child A Swimmer to expand access to discounted lessons.
- **2025-12** — The school’s year-end account reported 33 schools, four Colorado openings during 2025 and Learn to Swim scholarships for 880 families.
- **2026-06** — A Summer 2026 Faces & Places feature quoted Foss describing programs from beginner lessons to competitive skill development in its Denver-area coverage.

## Links

- Website: https://www.fossswimschool.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonfoss

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jon-foss
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-10-14