Aquatic conference makes a splash in Las Vegas.

At NRPA's National Aquatic Conference in March in Nevada, attendees gave up slot machines and focused instead on safety, exhibitors and certification. With three days of sessions ranging in topics from health training to underwater hockey, participants were swimming in new knowledge to bring back to their communities.

The conference launched with keynote speaker, Ms. Wheelchair America 2005, Juliette Rizzo. After being diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma and fibromyalgia, 30-year-old Rizzo was told she would soon not be able to walk. She told her story about how, confined to a wheelchair, she continued to gain weight. She decided to do something about it by joining the Discovery Channel's Body Challenge. The trainers there led her to an aquatics trainer, who helped her lose weight and get healthy. But she also got more. "I gained freedom--walking in the water even when my body wouldn't walk on land," she said.

In her address, she spoke of how aquatics has changed her life, and thanked the aquatics professionals for all they do, especially for those with a disability. "You in this room have collective knowledge that can change the world for people like me," she said.

"My message is clear--share your vision with all about aquatics, one stroke at a time."

Before Rizzo's speech, which received a double standing ovation, the participants honored those programs that had excelled during the past year. At the right is a list of award winners:

Class I

City of Las Vegas, Nev.

* Responding to the requests from citizens, the city of Las Vegas renovated or replaced many outdated facilities through the formation of partnerships.

Class II

Johnson County Park and Recreation District, Kan.

* The district owns two beaches, three marinas, three lakes, and provides boat access to the Kansas River for its residents.

Class III

City of Tempe, Ariz.

* For the past five years, the city has added some great improvements to its program--a splash park and Tempe Town Lake, which gives boating opportunities.

Class IV

Foothills Park and Recreation District, Colo.

* For the past five years, the department has completed three aquatics projects, including Deer Creek Outdoor Family Aquatic Center, Weaver Hollow Family Aquatic Center and the Ridge Recreation Center and Pools.

Class V

City of Kirkland, Wash.

* The city created the "Let's Pool Together" committee, which provided citizens with an opportunity to share ideas about aquatics.

Class VI

North Peninsula Recreation Service Area, Ala.

* Nikiski is a small community, but the design of its pool allows for many activities to occur at the same time.

Class VII

California State University, Northridge, Calif.

* The university is dedicated to helping students realize their educational goals, and offers various programs to the students and members of the community.

Class X

Grove City YMCA, Ohio

* Since opening in 2003, the YMCA has grown from 1,500 members to more than 10,000 members, and makes educating members about pool safety the no. 1 priority.

Class XI

U.S. Army Pioatinny Arsenal, N.J.

* Although this is a very small installation, the arsenal hosts up to 40,000 visitors at its aquatic facilities each summer season.

AFO Supporters

The Aquatics Branch welcomes its newest Aquatic Facility Operator (AFO) supporters, who are choosing NRPA'S AFO course to teach water quality and safety:

Walt Disney Imagineering

Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

Oasis Pool Service

Chicago Park, Calif.

Ohio University

Athens, Ohio

U.S. Army

MWR 

2005 Scholarship Winners Enjoy Conference

Seven NRPA members were awarded scholarships to attend the National Aquatic Conference. Each year, the Aquatics Branch gives a scholarship to a member from each region. Congratulations to this year's recipients:

Michal Smith, Hillsboro, Ore. Wendy Donley, College Park, Md. Renee Wagner, Fond du Lac, Wis. Jessica Issinghoff, Wellington, Kan. Sara Roth, Phoenix, Ariz. Jacquelyn La New, Los Alamos, N.M. Jennifer Sweigart, Locust Grove, Va.