On the Pool Deck By Julie See, Akwa Executive Editor Depending on the hemisphere where we live, we are either anticipating the end of winter with the renewing of spring, or we are watching summer come to a close. Either way, for all of us in the AEA/ATRI Family, we are looking forward to our favor- ite time of year – the arrival of our international conferences! This year is more exciting than ever as we unite AEA’s IAFC and ATRI’s Symposium with the International Aquatic Fitness & Therapy Conference – IAFTC 2023. Our destination is Orlando, Florida – by popular request. The conference kicks off with the ATRI Focus Therapy sessions April 30 – May 3 and wraps up with the AEA Focus Fitness, with sessions running through May 5. Registration options allow you to customize the week of training to suit your needs – therapy, fitness, or both. This issue of Akwa puts the focus on our conference with session highlights and topics of interest because we are hoping to entice all our readers to join colleagues from around the world at this upcoming educational opportunity. Read something that intrigues you or sparks your interest? The conference allows you to take these topics to the next level plus interact directly with the presenters. IAFTC 2023 will be an aquatic educational experience that you don’t want to miss. And you won’t want to come alone! Bring family for a combined Disney vacation, bring aquatic co-workers so that you can “divide and conquer” even more of the incredible ses- sions, bring aquatic students and clients who love the pool (and you). We do realize that some of you may not be able to join us this year. We will miss you, but we’ve made sure that all the articles in the issue provide you with educa- tion, inspiration, and practical ideas. The pages ahead offer technique to imple- ment into aquatic therapy, personal training, and group exercise classes – even if you are not able to be at IAFTC 2023. So, dive into the magazine to learn more and be encouraged to put IAFTC on your “Must Do” list for 2024. Akwa is the official magazine of the Aquatic Exercise Association STAFF Julie See, Executive Editor Angie Proctor, Managing Editor Karen Creasey, Assistant Editor Graphic Design, Carolyn Mac Millan Contributing Photographers: Sheryl Ewart, Ron Klineschmidt, Carolyn Mac Millan, Troy Nelson and Julio Rivera Select Stock photos provided by Big Stock www.bigstock.com Front Cover Photo by Sheryl Ewart PUBLISHED Vol. 36, No. 4 Copyright 2023 by AEA Circulation: 5,500 Total Readership: 12,000 ISSN 1536-5549 Akwa may not be reproduced without written permission from the managing editor. Akwa is available in digital format in the members only section at aeawave.org. Opinions of contributing authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Aquatic Exercise Association. AEA OFFICE HOURS Monday-Thursday 8:30 am-4:30 pm Eastern Time Zone (Atlanta) CONTACT Mailing Address: AEA 1618 Ellis Street Brunswick GA 31520 Toll-Free: 888-232-9283 Phone: 912-289-3559 Fax: 912-289-3560 Website: aeawave.org Email: [email protected] About Akwa 2 | Akwa | March / April / May 2023
