May 13 -17, 2008… I came face to face with the Aquatic Industry!

My life is full of chronic issues and pain, but all that is pushed aside when I get in the water. Sure, some days are tougher than others but water has made me tougher. That toughness reaches my soul, and when I’m in the water I am really there. When I am in the water moving, I’m charming, sarcastic, sensitive, motivated, motivating and not afraid to tell someone “it’s time to pick it up”. I have seen quite a bit of life in the pool as therapy patient, a fitness client (exercising to keep my parts functioning), and now instructing others in deep water aquatic fitness classes.

Three months before I arrived in Orlando for the IAFC I burned the heel of my foot. Because of the burn I was only able to swim 4 hours in the 3 months prior to landing in sun drenched Orlando. With medical blessing I couldn’t wait to be in the sun and make up for lots of sorely missed pool time.

Normally I’m in the water 8 to 10 hours a week working my wee heart, doing laps, stretching the limbs and doing upper body workouts resistance style (that’s not including hot tub time). I swear my arms felt a bit twiggy and the junk in the trunk was more ‘jiggly’ after such a long absence of WATER.

At the 2008 IAFC I got to meet one of my idols, Craig Stuart, the creator of Hydro Fit boots. I’ve been using his equipment for the 8 years and it is the mainstay of my cardio workout ritual. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet new idols Mark Grevelding who’s high energy and high intensity aerobic routines were an eye popper for this basic deep water guy. I also met Karen Westfall who’s Latin dancing session gave credence to my best moves that happen in the water. And yes, even Troy for a great conference.

For me Orlando was lots of celebration and a needed change of scenery rather than the “hey look how buff I am”! It wasn’t exactly the aquatic knowledge pilgrimage that I had planned back during Christmas time with my decade long aquatic mentor Joanne Randell of AquafitGear. As a former aquatic patient, aquatic fitness participant and now an Aquatic exercise instructor, Joanne has led me to a lifetime passion which is no longer just a casual recreational activity with incredible cardiovascular and strengthening success.  A 10 lb weight loss and lean body mass change makes me a “sinker” rather than a “floater” now.  Yeah!

So just how did my mind and body react to all this aquatic stimuli at the IAFC?  I have to say: I wanted more and I want to give more.  My mentors refer to my path as “An Ambassador of Aquatic Exercise”. It is now up to me to design and pursue that pathway with the same commitment and motivation that has brought me to this point.  My goal will be sharing and public speaking about the incredible impact that Aquatic Exercise can create in anyone’s life.

My thanks to the AEA staff and special thanks to Troy for shooting lots of video which I’m sure will have many fun outtakes!