The aquatics industry has never lacked passion. What it has sometimes lacked — and what this moment clearly demands — is alignment: between innovation and regulation, access and safety, data and day-to-day practice, and perhaps most importantly, between protecting the public and protecting the professionals who do that work every day.
That alignment is the common thread running through this year’s Power Issue.
The seven leaders featured here come from different corners of the industry — research,
regulation, advocacy, education, law, and frontline operations — but they’re all responding
to the same reality: Aquatics is changing, and the systems that support it have to change too.
In Tyler Anderson’s work helping lifeguards recover after traumatic incidents, we see a long-overdue recognition that safety doesn’t end when a rescue does. Lifeguards have long been treated like first responders in practice, but rarely supported like them. Anderson’s efforts reflect a growing awareness of the human cost of vigilance — and the need for structures that help professionals recover, stay engaged, and keep doing their jobs well.
That focus on systems and support also shows up in Kirsten Barnes’ work to bridge the gap between research and on-deck decisions. Data matters, but only if people can actually use it. By translating academic research into practical insight, Barnes is helping facilities make stronger cases for staffing, training, and funding — and reinforcing aquatics as a public good grounded in evidence, not anecdotes.
Access and inclusion are another clear theme. Angela Beale-Tawfeeq and Kate Connell come at it from
different directions, but with shared urgency. Beale-Tawfeeq reminds us that water safety can’t be separated from history, culture, and trust — and that access to aquatics can truly change lives. Connell’s work reinforces that inclusion isn’t aspirational; it’s operational. Policies, language, and staff training shape who feels welcome and who doesn’t.
Legal advocacy remains another driver of change. Michael Haggard’s career shows how tragedy can lead to reform when litigation turns into legislation — and why consistent safety standards still matter, especially as new risks emerge.
At the same time, innovation continues to move faster than the rulebooks. Sarah Cheshire’s work on cold plunges and manmade lagoons offers a model for what smart oversight looks like when trends evolve quickly: focus on how people use the water, identify real risks, and build flexible frameworks that protect public health without shutting progress down.
And Bob Pratt brings it all back to the basics. His push to make water safety as universal as fire safety reminds us that education, repetition, and cultural muscle memory save lives. “Flip, float, and follow” is more than a slogan — it’s prevention that starts long before anyone reaches the water.
Together, these leaders point to a new era for aquatics — one that’s practical, people-centered, and ready to evolve.
That same mindset guides Aquatics International as it enters a new chapter under Kenilworth Media and returns to print. The goal is simple: reflect where the industry truly is, and help move it forward.
Progress doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built by people willing to move the needle. I invite you to join me in recognizing the Magnificent Seven in this issue, along with our Best of Aquatics winners, at a special awards event during AOAP’s annual expo and conference at 8:30 a.m. on Feb. 18 at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo. Hope to see you there!
