Equitable Aquatics

Love to see this bill aiming to address gender disparities in CPR training and care. Equally exciting to see a young person spearheading this effort!

Illinois bill aims to address gender discrepancies in CPR training From Capitol News Illinois: The Illinois Principals Association expressed skepticism about the bill, citing concerns about burdening schools with the costs of purchasing female manikins for CPR training

Feeling so much gratitude after a full week in Colorado Springs as the Association of Aquatic Professionals conference. It had it all!

✨ Inclusive manikins
✨ Meet up with the AOAP DEIJ committee
✨ Co-presenting on neurodivergence
✨ A half day De-escalation Training for Aquatic Professionals
✨ Winning an Aquatics International power issue award with friends
✨ Presenting to aquatics leaders on designing their own DEIJ focused staff training

The best week with the best people! Already counting down the days for Reno 2027!

What a great way to kickstart the morning with Paulana of Black People Will Swim at the Association of Aquatic Professionals.

I’m honored to be active with this non-profit movement and in the Aquatics International Power Issue.

Black History Matters 🤎🖤🧡💙
In 1964, the Monson Motor Lodge incident in St. Augustine, Florida exposed a painful truth: Black families were systematically denied access to public pools and swim lessons. When civil rights activists entered a segregated pool in protest, the owner poured acid into the water rather than allow integration. These barriers to safe water access didn’t just deny recreation—they denied lifesaving swim skills.

Remembering this history matters, because equity in swim education is a critical step in drowning prevention today.

Proud to be a part of this work with Association of Aquatic Professionals!

As 2025 came to a close, AOAP’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) Committee asked aquatic professionals an important question: How prepared are we to support neurodivergent participants?

The results reveal both commitment and concern. While most professionals regularly work with neurodivergent swimmers, many report limited training, inconsistent protocols, and a lack of practical tools. At the same time, interest in learning is high—and the desire for aquatics-specific, real-world guidance is clear.

This article explores key survey findings, what they mean for safety and inclusion, and how AOAP is turning insights into action

I recently chatted with my friend Katie of Lakeview Aquatics regarding making first aid & aquatic staff inservice training more inclusive. Take a listen to our chat 💬

Making first aid more inclusive in aquatics In this conversation, Katie Crysdale and Kate Connell discuss the importance of making first aid training more inclusive and culturally sensitive. They explo...