AOAP's Discussions from the Deep End

What does it take to launch a brand-new waterpark and turn marketing hype into a guest experience that keeps families coming back?

In this episode of AOAP's Discussions from the Deep End, hosts Daniel Peters and Kirsten Barnes sit down with the team behind Bavarian Blast Waterpark in Frankenmuth, Michigan, winner of the 2025 Best of Aquatics Marketing Award. Joined by Emily Kurzer, Jenna Bentley, and Jackie Zervos-Elizondo, the conversation explores how strategic marketing, operational excellence, and frontline staff training work together to create memorable guest experiences.

From audience targeting and influencer partnerships to social media storytelling and community engagement, the guests share the strategies that helped drive more than 50,000 guests through the doors during the park's opening weeks. They also discuss the critical handoff between marketing and operations, how lifeguards and frontline staff reinforce a brand promise, and why guest experience training is just as important as technical skills.

Whether you manage a municipal pool, YMCA, university aquatic center, or waterpark, you'll walk away with practical insights on marketing smarter, training stronger teams, and creating experiences that transform first-time visitors into loyal guests.

In this special episode, Daniel Peters and Kirsten Barnes sit down for an important conversation about a major shift in the aquatics industry: CMAHC is officially joining AOAP as a subsidiary organization. After months of discussion, both teams are ready to share the “why,” the “how,” and what this transition means for the future of aquatic operations, public health, and the Model Aquatic Health Code community.

Daniel and Kirsten walk through the strengths each organization brings to the table, how CMAHC’s respected technical voice will remain protected, and why this partnership creates new opportunities for training, standards development, and industry-wide collaboration. They also speak directly to CMAHC members, volunteers, and contributors about what they can expect moving forward — and why their involvement remains central to the mission.

If you’re an aquatic professional, public health leader, or MAHC contributor, this episode offers clarity, reassurance, and a look at the exciting future ahead.

In this episode of AOAP’s Discussions from the Deep End, hosts Daniel Peters and Kirsten Barnes sit down with Angela Wild, MA, MPH — a leading translational specialist in drowning prevention and water competence. Angela brings 25 years of applied aquatic experience and advanced training in Motor Learning & Control and Public Health to the conversation, offering a fresh, evidence‑driven look at how aquatic education can evolve into a true injury‑prevention system rather than simply swimming instruction.

Together, they unpack common misconceptions like “swimming equals safety,” explore the difference between performance and learning, and discuss why retention, adaptability, and decision‑making must be central to modern water‑competence instruction. Angela expands the conversation beyond traditional swimming skills, highlighting cognitive, environmental, and judgment‑based competencies that matter just as much — and often more — in real‑world aquatic situations.

The episode also draws parallels between aquatics and other injury‑prevention fields such as car‑seat safety, pedestrian safety, and environmental design, revealing how layered drowning‑prevention strategies can benefit from proven public‑health models. Angela shares practical steps for bridging research to practice, improving instructor preparation, and making evidence truly usable for professionals on the pool deck.

This conversation is packed with actionable insights for instructors, managers, and aquatic leaders looking to elevate water‑competence instruction, strengthen communication, and build safer, more informed aquatic communities.

Learn more:

AOAP — https://aquaticpros.org/

Elemental Aquatics — https://elementalsd.com/

Angela Wild on LinkedIn — https://linkedin.com/in/angela-wild-ma-mph-3ba24640

In this episode of AOAP’s Discussions from the Deep End, Daniel Peters and Kirsten Barnes sit down with Jim and Amanda Wheeler for a conversation about mentorship, leadership, and the evolving world of aquatics. Jim brings decades of experience across waterfronts, pools, water parks, and national training programs, while Amanda offers a modern, on‑the‑deck perspective shaped by growing up in the profession and now leading programs of her own.

Together, they explore the realities behind today’s lifeguard workforce, the truth about the so‑called “lifeguard shortage,” and how facilities can recruit, develop, and retain young professionals more effectively. The Wheelers also dive into the impact of Junior Lifeguard programs, what makes great young lifeguards, and how organizations can build cultures that grow leaders from within.

This episode is packed with insight, practical strategies, and stories that highlight how experience, continuity, and intentional development shape the future of aquatics. Whether you’re a manager, instructor, or longtime aquatic professional, you’ll walk away with ideas you can apply immediately in your own facility.

Learn more about the Association of Aquatic Professionals at aquaticpros.org, and connect with Jim Wheeler’s work at totalaquaticmanagement.com or on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/james-wheeler-a589623a (linkedin.com in Bing).

In this episode of AOAP’s Discussions from the Deep End, hosts Daniel Peters and Kirsten Barnes sit down with Christopher Dreybus and Trey Standridge of AMS Pools, one of the largest lifeguard and aquatics service providers in Metro‑Atlanta. Chris and Trey bring a combined 30+ years of experience overseeing lifeguard operations, training, risk management, and company culture across more than 100 aquatic facilities.

The conversation explores the unexpected ways leadership can show up — including how children’s books became the foundation of Chris’s AOAP conference session on communication and values. They break down why simple stories can unlock big lessons for teams, how AMS builds a unified culture across hundreds of staff, and what it really takes to manage lifeguards at scale.

Chris shares insights from his journey from polymer engineering to co‑leading a company that employs nearly a thousand lifeguards, while Trey reflects on his experience auditing internationally, managing waterparks, and now directing operations for AMS. Together, they dig into staffing, training, retention, and the skills lifeguards need beyond certification.

We also look ahead at the future of aquatics — the strengths younger professionals bring to the field, how AMS develops the next generation of leaders, and the timeless leadership habits that still matter today.

If you’re a supervisor, manager, or anyone responsible for building strong aquatic teams, this episode delivers practical ideas, fresh perspectives, and memorable stories you’ll want to bring back to your staff.

• AOAP — Association of Aquatic Professionals
  https://www.aquaticpros.org
• AMS Pools (Chris & Trey’s Company)
  https://amspools.com

This episode of AOAP’s Discussions from the Deep End dives into what it really takes to support swimmers with unique learning needs — and how instructors can build trust, confidence, and meaningful progress in the water.

Daniel Peters and Kirsten Barnes sit down with Christy Baca, AOAP’s 2026 Featured Power Speaker, aquatics educator, and Texas A&M graduate whose background in special education shapes every part of her approach to swim instruction. Christy shares how she uses TBRI (Trust‑Based Relational Intervention) to create connection‑driven, empowering lessons for swimmers experiencing anxiety, ADHD, sensory processing differences, trauma, and other challenges.

The episode wraps with a lightning round full of quick, actionable insights for instructors who want to better support nervous swimmers, strengthen lesson structure, and rethink misconceptions about adaptive instruction.

If you’re an aquatic professional looking to build safer, stronger, more responsive programs, this conversation delivers practical tools, thoughtful perspective, and a whole lot of heart.

AOAP — Association of Aquatic Professionals
https://aquaticpros.org

Adaptive Aquatics Resources (General)
Swim Angelfish Adaptive Teaching Strategies
https://swimangelfish.com

AOAP Conference Information
2026 & 2027 Conference Details
https://aquaticpros.org/conference

In this episode of AOAP’s Discussions from the Deep End, hosts Daniel Peters and Kirsten Barnes sit down with Sarah Cheshire to talk about the public health side of aquatics and the work that helps keep swimming facilities safe, healthy, and well managed.

Sarah shares her path into environmental health, what she has learned through pool inspections and rule development, and why the Model Aquatic Health Code continues to matter as aquatic facilities and technologies evolve. The conversation also explores how public health guidance becomes practical on the ground, how inspectors and operators can work together, and why communication and education are such important parts of keeping people safe.

The episode also touches on new trends in aquatics, the role of inspections and education, and the importance of helping facility staff understand the “why” behind the rules. Listeners will come away with a better appreciation for the science, communication, and leadership that support healthy aquatic spaces every day.

Additional resources and links mentioned in this episode include the Model Aquatic Health Code, the Association of Aquatic Professionals, AOAP training and education, and AOAP conference information. Also mentioned are Sarah Cheshire’s Aquatics International recognition and her AOAP Power Speaker feature.

In this episode of AOAP’s Discussions from the Deep End, hosts Daniel Peters and Kirsten Barnes welcome Kate Connell, AOAP’s Diversity Liaison, for a thoughtful conversation about DEIJ in aquatics and how inclusion shows up in everyday operations.

Kate shares practical insight into what DEIJ means beyond the buzzwords, how aquatic leaders can move from awareness to action, and why inclusion matters for facilities, teams, vendors, and the broader profession. The discussion also explores AOAP’s role in supporting more intentional, welcoming practices across the industry, and how leadership can help turn values into real change.

The episode also looks at the connection between equity and operational excellence, Kate’s work with the AOAP DEIJ Committee, and her perspective on how conferences and professional communities can be used as tools for inclusion. Listeners will walk away with ideas they can apply in their own facilities, organizations, and day-to-day work.

Additional resources and links mentioned in this episode include the Association of Aquatic Professionals at https://www.aquaticpros.org

AOAP training and education at https://www.aquaticpros.org/education

AOAP conference information at https://www.aquaticpros.org/conference

Also mentioned are Kate Connell’s Aquatics International feature, Equitable Aquatics, HydroApps, and the International Lifeguard Critical Incident Response Alliance.

In this episode of AOAP’s Discussions from the Deep End, host Daniel Peters and co‑host Kirsten Barnes sit down with Justin Grosse and Sarah Davenport from Carson Valley Swim Center. Together, they explore how one aquatic facility has grown into a true community hub—blending recreation, safety, education, workforce development, and signature events that keep families coming back.

Justin and Sarah share how Carson Valley Swim Center goes beyond lap lanes and lessons with creative programs like underwater Easter Egg Hunts, underwater photos with Santa, and Flick and Float movie nights. They dig into the planning and risk management behind these events, how they train staff, and what makes a special event genuinely successful—from turnout and revenue to data, feedback, and long‑term community connection.

The conversation also highlights the center’s work with local high school swim meets, and seasonal teen employment. Justin and Sarah talk about what young staff gain from working at the pool and how aquatics experience helps launch future careers in fields like firefighting, paramedicine, nursing, law enforcement, and the military.

Finally, the episode looks at safety, access, and recognition. Carson Valley Swim Center serves school groups, camps, Boys & Girls Clubs, daycares, and even rural schools, creating a place where kids can swim, hang out after school, and feel welcome. Their work has earned honors such as the Nevada Recreation and Parks Association Elmer H. Anderson Parks Excellence Award, Best of Aquatics recognition, and a feature on the cover of NRPA’s 2026 Agency Performance Review—and they share practical lessons other facilities can use to strengthen their own community ties.

• Carson Valley Swim Center: https://cvswim.com
• About Carson Valley Swim Center & recognitions: https://cvswim.com/about-us/
• 2026 NRPA Agency Performance Review: https://www.nrpa.org/publications-research/research-papers/agency-performance-review/

In this episode of AOAP’s Discussions from the Deep End, hosts Daniel Peters and Kirsten Barnes sit down with two longtime leaders in the aquatics industry—Mark Basnight and Bob Kappel—to talk about careers, connections, and the future of aquatic operations.

With decades of combined experience across municipal aquatics, water treatment, product development, and industry leadership, Mark and Bob share how their career paths have evolved and what they’ve learned along the way. The conversation explores the importance of strong professional relationships, leadership beyond job titles, and how the aquatics industry continues to change.

The episode also takes a deep dive into AOAP’s Aquatic Technician School, including why it was created, how hands-on training fills critical gaps in the workforce, and the real impact it’s having on facility safety and staff readiness. Learn more about AOAP training and education opportunities at https://www.aquaticpros.org/education.

Plus, a look ahead to the AOAP Conference—why Reno stands out, what makes in-person events so valuable, and how these events strengthen the aquatics community. Explore upcoming conference details at https://www.aquaticpros.org/conference.

Additional resources and organizations mentioned in this episode:

• Association of Aquatic Professionals (AOAP): https://www.aquaticpros.org
• NRPA Aquatics: https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation-topics/aquatics
• ProMinent Fluid Controls: https://www.prominent.com
• Lincoln Aquatics: https://www.lincolnaquatics.com

Whether you’re new to aquatics or a seasoned professional, this episode offers practical insights, industry perspective, and a reminder of the power of community in keeping facilities safer and stronger.