We empower children in the water.
And give parents the ultimate peace of mind.
What is the Little Otters program?
Little Otters is an ISR-based aquatic training program designed for infants and toddlers where we teach valuable skills for a safe experience in and around the water. Our mission is to prevent accidental drownings through specialized skill training in young children. We are not a conventional swim program, we are a safety skills program. Infant and toddler water self-rescue skills provide parents and children another level of protection while safely enjoying their water time.
Mother to 5 year old + 19 mo old students
“I feel so much better about summer now, knowing my kids will be safe by the pool.”
Grandparent to 15 mo. old student
“At first I thought ‘what is the point of all this?’ and now I can see what you do is amazing. It’s unreal what you can teach kids to do.”
Little Otters was founded by Marcy Erickson, who was trained as an Infant Swim Resource (ISR) instructor in 2025. The Little Otters program is structured around the ISR method. Marcy has been a water child her entire life: she grew up on the shores of Lake Superior and in the family backyard pool. She is a long-distance swimmer, surfer, kayaker, and cold-water plunger. She has swam in Lake Superior every month of the calendar year and she’s still not entirely sure whether it’s wise to admit to that.
Marcy has been trained in lifeguarding, CPR/First Aid, and as a Wilderness First Responder. She is also a certified science teacher and has always loved working and playing with children. Little Otters has become the perfect blend of her passions: water, children, playing and learning.
Photo: Marcy baking cookies with one of her favorite tiny humans - her little great(!) nephew.
Our Story
Get in touch!
Want more information? We’d love to chat with you! Message us with your questions or to set up a phone call - we can’t wait to share more with you.
littleottersinfo@gmail.com