Aqua Elite Swimstitute

I spend A LOT of time undoing "the floatie position" during lessons. Are they a necessary aid in the lives of little ones, YES! But please read this article and see why they should not be used ALL the time. It is a great perspective for parents.

Parents Love Floaties. Experts Don’t. Here’s Why. Buoyant foam floaties (aka “puddle jumpers” or “water wings”) are cute and convenient. But experts have concerns. Here’s what to know before you buy them.

Happy 4th of July! Stay safe, have fun, and I will see you at the pool again this coming week! Coach K 💕

Happy Fun Friday! Getting ready to start a Full Friday of swim lessons!
If you haven't signed up for lessons or need to sign up for more this summer, I am still booking August and September. It is never too late to learn to swim!

As a swim instructor, I have the life jacket conversation with all my families. While we don't use flotation devices during lessons because our goal is to develop true water competency and swimming skills, a properly fitted Coast Guard-approved life jacket is still an essential piece of safety equipment for every child. Life jackets aren't a substitute for supervision or swim lessons—they're another important layer of protection.

Common Myths and Facts
Myth: Strong swimmers never need to wear a PFD or life jacket.
Fact: Even experienced swimmers can become incapacitated due to fatigue, injury, cold water, or
unexpected medical emergencies.
Myth: PFDs and life jackets are only for boats.
Fact: Wearing a PFD or life jacket provides a valuable layer of safety anytime you are in or around
the water.
Myth: A child wearing a PFD or life jacket means they don’t have to be supervised.
Fact: Wearing a PFD or life jacket does not replace active, close, and constant supervision. A child
can still slip out of an improperly fitted jacket or get into a dangerous situation even while wearing
one. Moreover, most PFDs will not float an incapacitated person face up. Check the label for
information on what the PFD is designed to do. Also review material provided by the manufacturer.
Myth: I don't need to enroll my child in swim lessons since I always put them in a PFD or life jacket
when swimming.
Fact: PFDs and life jackets do not teach a child to swim independently without instruction. Many
child drowning incidents happen when the child was not expected to be near the water. It is
critically important to teach young children to be water competent and learn to swim. Children
need active time learning to swim when they aren’t in a life jacket so they don’t become over-reliant
on the device or use a body position in the water that makes it harder to learn to swim.
*from the US National Water Safety Action Plan document

Happy Mother’s Day from Aqua Elite Swimstitute! 💙

Today we celebrate all the amazing moms, grandmothers, and mother figures who cheer from the sidelines, sit through swim lessons in the heat (well, this Spring - rain & chilly days), pack the towels and goggles, calm the nerves, and celebrate every little victory in the water.

Thank you for the love, encouragement, and support you pour into your children each and every day. We are so grateful to be a small part of helping your swimmers grow in confidence, skill, and safety.

Wishing all of my Aqua Elite moms a beautiful Mother’s Day filled with love, smiles, and maybe even a little time to relax.

For today’s water safety focus, we’re highlighting the layer of Supervision.

Close, Constant, and Capable supervision saves lives.

Water may be the heart of summer fun, but to a young child, it is also incredibly tempting and dangerous in just a moment’s time. Around pools, splash pads, lakes, and any water environment, adults must stay fully present and aware.

That means supervising closely, avoiding distractions, and being ready to respond immediately if something goes wrong. Water safety is everyone’s responsibility.

And whenever possible, choose to swim where a lifeguard is on duty for an added layer of protection. If no lifeguard is present, designate a water watcher.

May is National Water Safety Month, and at Aqua Elite Swimstitute, water safety is always at the heart of what I do.

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance highlights 5 important layers of protection that help prevent drowning:
barriers/alarms, supervision, life jackets, water competency, and emergency preparedness.

No single layer is enough on its own. Real water safety comes from putting multiple protections in place and staying vigilant every time children are near water.

As we head into swim season, this is a great reminder for families to check gates and latches, use alarms when appropriate, keep constant supervision, make sure children wear properly fitted life jackets when needed, build strong water skills, and be prepared to respond in an emergency.

Water safety is not just a summer conversation — it is a lifesaving priority.

I’m so excited to help announce a new summer neighborhood swim team right down the road from Aqua Elite Swimstitute in the Genesee subdivision (on Tommy Lee Cook Road)!

Great news — this team is also open to swimmers outside the neighborhood.

Practices will begin Tuesday, May 26, and will run from 9:00–11:00 AM. Specific practice times by age group are still being finalized.

To learn more, scan the QR code in the image or fill out the interest form at the link below:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMOJUEtEQN8o9CN3FEGNWkFDP8sA-iJtJJSpMSL7NySZis0Q/viewform?usp=dialog

Coach K just got benched for 48 hours due to pink eye and a sinus infection. 😫I need some streaming suggestions for movies or shows for when I'm done cleaning everything in the house!
Thanks to all my Aqua Elite families for being so flexible this week as I get through this. ❤️