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WRPA 2024 Aquatics Conference
Monday, September 30, 2024, 8:00 AM to Tuesday, October 01, 2024, 4:00 PM PST
Category: WRPA Events

2024 Aquatics Network Conference

September 30, 2024–October 1, 2024 | 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Join us at the McMenamins Anderson School in Bothell, WA this year for the 2024 Aquatics Network Conference. 

Register Schedule Venue

 

Registration Information

Member Type Registration Rate
Members $225
Non-Members $250

 

Registration is now closed. Walk-Ins Welcome.

The WRPA Pacific Northwest Aquatic Conference qualifies for reimbursement under WCIA’s Training Reimbursement Program and is eligible for reimbursement upon program completion. Program can be applied under the entity’s annual 1% training reimbursement allotment. Requestors must confer with their entity’s assigned WCIA Delegate and/or Alternate for reimbursement authorization. Requests must be submitted through the WCIA Origami Member Portal by the designated Origami user. For questions about reimbursement or to determine your WCIA Delegate, Alternate or Origami user, contact WCIA Member Services at [email protected]


Venue


There will be NO room block available for the McMenamins Anderson School. All attendees will need to find hotel accommodations on their own. We suggest booking at the McMenamins Anderson School.

Learn More

Conference Schedule
*Schedule subject to change.

* Sessions will take place in the Haynes Hall

Print the schedule here
Monday, September 30
8:30 AM–9:00 AM Registration & Continental Breakfast
9:00 AM–10:15 AM 

Building Accountability in Your Gen Z Team | Kirsten Barnes

In a perfect world, we would have more qualified applicants than openings, we would deny time off requests if we needed coverage, and we would never have a conversation with a Lifeguard's parent! In many places, a shortage of qualified guards coupled with the unique
work ethic of Gen Z has challenged the way many Aquatics professionals recruit, train, and manage their guards. Join me as we discuss how to successfully navigate this new workforce.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Differentiate Gen Z and understand the key influences / attributes of this generation and how to manage Gen Z accountability in the workplace.
  • Identify opportunities to make changes to standing policies or guidelines that can appeal to Gen Z while maintaining a focus on safety.
  • Identify at least three (3) practical things you can immediately implement to improve performance and team member experience.
10:15 AM–10:30 AM  Break/Networking
10:30 AM-11:45 AM 

Supercharge Your Team: 50 Ways to Show Them Love | Kirsten Barnes

Recent studies show that our teams WANT to be appeciated, and appreication and recognition are major drivers of job satisfaction and happiness.  And we all know that happy team members make happy customers! In this fast-paced session, discuss how to engage your team in your culture, identify low-cost and no-cost "perks" you can use for your team, and walk away with a laundry list of fun and memorable ways to say "thank you"!

At the end of this session, participant will be able to:

  • Understand why employee recognition is pmperative to creating a successful business.
  • Discuss ways to keep your employees engaged in your business and low-or no-cost perks.
  • Define at least 25 easy and memorable ways to say "thank you"  to your team.
12:00 PM–1:00 PM Lunch (provided) & Networking
1:00 PM–2:15 PM

Thriving Through Failure | Kirsten Barnes

The road to greatness can be bumpy, and how we respond is critical to our outlook and even our future success! Using stories of corporate failure, the mistakes of your peers, and even my own personal "oops" moments, understand how facing your failures and creating an environment where your team can learn and grow from theirs will make your business stronger! Discuss common pitfalls, share your own soties, and laugh a little along the way!

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Identify common reasons professionals make mistakes and how those mistake can have a long lasting impact on your programs and career.
  • Discuss how to rebound in the aftermath of your own professional misstep and how to apply lessons learned.
  • Understand how to coach your team through their professional failures
2:15 PM–2:30 PM  Networking/Break
2:30 PM–3:45 PM  American Red Cross Updates & Network Meeting
3:45 PM–4:00 PM Adjourn
Tuesday, October 1
8:30 AM–9:00 AM Registration
9:00 AM–10:15 AM

Supervising in the New Era | Cory Hilderbrand

This session will focus on leading our next generation of workers. We’ll explore some of the contributing factors to shifts in work performance, work/life balance, and personal behaviors. Additionally, we’ll discuss ways to get the most out of your team through better communication, training, staff recognition, and team building. This session will also explore using some of the leadership lessons of the television hit show, Ted Lasso.

 10:15 AM10:30 AM  Networking/Break
10:30 AM11:45 AM 

HR Lessons from an Aquatics Professional | Cory Hildebrand

During this session, participants will be led through an active discussion of HR issues specific to Aquatics. We’ll explore some past lessons learned dealing with staff issues ranging from dating, harassment, insubordination, and complaints.

12:00 PM–1:00 PM Lunch (provided) & Networking
1:00 PM–2:15 PM

100 Maintenance Tips in 60 minutes | Chris Klotz

The plan for this presentation is to go through 100 quick but useful maintenance tips that are typically outside the scope of an AFO or CPO course and also answer questions from the attendees.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn a few maintenance tips that are good to know but are also less common knowledge

• Get any questions about pool maintenance answered by the presenter or via a discussion with the attendees

2:15 PM–2:30 PM Networking/Break
2:30 PM–4:15 PM

Aquatic ID: A Recognizable Water Safety Certification Standard for Pool and Open Water Safety | Hybrid (In-water optional; bring your swimsuit) Half will be in the pool 2:30-3:20 PM and half in the classroom. 3:30-4:15 PM | Kevin McCarthy

There are countless styles and brands of swim lessons, water safety standards, and lifeguard certifications.  Come and learn about “Aquatic-ID” , the standard that is clear, concise, and practical for students, parents, coaches, facilities, and administrators.  What is your Aquatic ID?  Come and see for yourself!

Learning Objectives (if it's eligible for CEUs)

The 3 measures of Aquatic-ID (The R.E.D. Standards of Measure):

  • Response – Curriculum of Water Science & Safety plus online testing at each of 5 levels of performance
  • Endurance – Official Timed Aquatic Endurance Standard in Overhead Water at each of 5 Levels of Performance
  • Distance – Official Measured Distance Standard of Travel in Overhead Water at each of the 5 Levels of Performance
4:30 PM  Adjourn
 
Speakers

 

Kirsten Barnes is Missouri born and raised and lives with her family in the mountains of Colorado. As a graduate of the Missouri State University Recreation & Leisure Studies program, Kirsten's career in recreation has included overseeing programs serving a variety of populations including aquatics, youth sports leagues, summer camps, senior programming, ice arenas, golf courses, and special events. Kirsten also oversaw lifeguard management at 24 aquatic facilities andwater parks with a private management company before taking the reins at a private fitness and wellness center serving over 17,000 members, supervising more than 220 employees, and overseeing a budget of almost $10 million in annual revenues. She now works fulltime with the Association of Aquatic Professionals to support the industry.


Kirsten has also spoken at educational conferences and trained frontline teams at facilities throughout the country as well as speaking at the NRPA Annual Conference and National Aquatic Conference, and was a faculty member of National Aquatic Management School for four years. She is a Past President of the Missouri Parks & Recreation Association, was the Marketing and Public Relations representative for the National Recreation and Park Association Annual Conference Program Committee, and was an Association of Aquatics Professionals Board Member.


Chris Klontz began his aquatics career in 2000 and has been a supervisor at the Auburn YMCA, Tapps Island Association, Seattle Children’s Hospital Therapy Pool, Washington Athletic Club and, for the last 13 years, the Lynnwood Rec Center. He has degrees from the University of Washington in Marketing, Entrepreneurship and Music, and is an AFO Instructor. 

 

 


Kevin McCarthy is Board Chair for Skwim International, subsidiary of Skwim USA 501c3.  Kevin founded Skwim, the international water disk sports game in 2007, to fill the need for an engaging and interactive institutional sports game for youth, teens, adults, and seniors.  Skwim encourages all ages to learn and grow in water-safety, water-fitness, and water-wisdom by implementing new hydrodynamic advantages that both fascinate and educate. In 2015 International Skwim Certification & Aquatic Science and Safety Curriculums were established to provide an official and verifiable way to both qualify and measure the Aquatic-ID for each participant.  I.S.C. and its practicum offer the most reliable measure of water safety assurance and preparation for Lifeguard and Swim Instructor Certification.  Co-Inventor of eLifeguard Life Rescue Tube; Co-Inventor American Red Cross USCG Approved Rescue Ring; Co-Inventor American Red Cross First Aid Tourniquet Arm Trainer; Founder of International Sports Game Skwim; Developer of “Aquatic-ID” & International Skwim Certification. President, Lead Team Development, Corp. - Industrial design firm for brands including; Speedo, Nike, Finis, Jacuzzi, Swimways, Kiefer, Crocs, and others.


Cory Hildebrand has worked in the aquatics industry, private and public, for over 30 years. He started working as a lifeguard/swim instructor for King County in the Seattle area before taking his first Aquatics Director job at the Bellevue Club. After his move to Southern California in 2008, Cory spent seven years working for the City of Carlsbad before moving to the City of Irvine in 2015. Cory is a Past-President of the Association of Aquatics Professionals (AOAP) and is presently the President-elect for AOAP. In 2022, Cory was named by Aquatics International in their Power issue.

 

Thank You to Our Speaker Sponsor