Lessons with Luke: Decorated Y swimmer to offer private swimming training

Think about what you can do in one minute and four seconds. Send a text message? Wash and dry your hands? Make a sandwich? 

How about swim a 100-meter breaststroke race? That’s exactly what Mount Vernon native and former Skagit Valley Y Chinook swimmer, Luke Pusateri, did this past year at University of California San Diego, setting a pool record as a freshman for the Tritons. He’s back in the McIntyre Aquatic Center at the Skagit Valley Family YMCA this summer in Mount Vernon, and he’s here to share his breadth of swimming knowledge with our community. 

Starting on July 14, Luke will be offering private swim training to local swimmers looking to level up their swimming. These lessons will be open to anyone who currently swims competitively or is looking for ways to improve their technique (not for beginners). 

Luke’s lessons are aimed at competitive swimmers who are looking to gain an edge over their competition. He’ll provide top notch technical instruction for each swimmer, individualized to their strokes and current ability. With a résumé including qualifying for the US Open, swimming at the Southeast Asian Age Group Championships, and ranking as a top 5 swimmer in Washington State while in high school, he brings extensive experience to these lessons. 

We chatted with Luke about his swimming career and what he can offer swimmers through 1:1 training sessions this summer. Here’s what we learned: 

Q: What’s your favorite memory of swimming at the Skagit Valley Family YMCA growing up in Mount Vernon? 

A: One of my most favorite memories swimming at the Skagit YMCA was qualifying a relay for Y Nationals in 2018. We had been trying to get a relay of guys the past 3 years and got closer and closer each year. We worked very hard together and finally qualified at Y State. It was such a relief and happy moment with my friends. 

Q: You have an extensive resume of swimming experiences – do you have a favorite experience or one that stands out among the rest? 

A: One experience I will never forget is swimming for the Philippines. It had always been a dream of mine and the experience was one like no other. I made so many friends and made many memories. 

Q: Why are you offering private swim training sessions? How does it feel to be returning to the Y? 

A: I am offering private lessons because I want to give back. The Y has done so much for me, and I wouldn’t be who I am now without it. It feels good to be back and train with Coach Carol and the other swimmers. 

Q: What do you hope to teach swimmers who take lessons from you? 

A: I would like to teach the swimmers how to get a better feel of the water, addressing body position and stroke pull. I also want to teach them things that give great advantages in racing like fast and efficient underwaters. 

Lessons with Luke are $30/session for Y members and $45 for community members.  Register for private swim training with Luke here.