The last 18 months have been a series of firsts, from teaching virtually and getting a handle on the technology, through to editing videos, creating accessible education platforms and building new websites. The impetus to do all these new things may have been due to reasons beyond our control, but it’s been a valuable learning experience. Without a doubt, there have been lots of wins, and one of them has been the opportunity to share with you the people who truly inspire me.

Previously, you would have had to travel overseas or interstate to learn from the most incredible innovators in the world of aqua, but now, with live streaming via Zoom, distance and money is no longer a barrier. Not to mention, the ability to keep these presentations in your library so that you can watch them over and over again.

Planning the final Aqua workshop for 2021

Back in April this year, I started planning a new first for the final aqua workshop for 2021. It started with a conversation with Christine, my long-time friend and assistant, about what the focus would be for this event. I decided to go down the route of more in-depth learning about the body and physiology. This was a risk, as I appreciate that most instructors want new choreography and ideas for moves in the water, but I wanted this event to be different. Never one to ‘stay in my box’, I wanted to step outside the comfort zone, and encourage others to join me, because that’s where exciting lessons can be learnt.

Dr Len Kravitz and Mark Davis

It was Christine who inspired me to ask the first presenter, the amazing Dr Len Kravitz, to be part of the program. I clearly remember her asking me ‘What about the presenter that you always go to whenever he’s presenting at an event?’. ‘Oh my God, Len Kravitz’ I replied, in disbelief at her suggestion because I’m in awe of the man. ‘Do you think he would say yes?’. Well, there was only one way to find out, and that was to ask. Len, who lives in the US, responded to my email with lightning speed, happy to present and even sending me his proposed session description about fat loss. You would have laughed at the ridiculous happy dance that I did when I received his response. YES! A great reminder that ‘you don’t ask, you don’t get’!

I was on my way. Who to ask next? Well, that was an easy decision. Mr Mark Davis. Mark, or Davo as he’s often known, is someone I truly respect. To say that I have learnt a few things from him would be an understatement. Mark is an incredible presenter with an amazing way of teaching that keeps you engaged from the second he starts talking. Knowledgeable and entertaining, he has a way of knowing what instructors are most interested in learning, before they even know it themselves. His session about the language we use with our clients and participants is going to be eye opening, confronting, and transformational. I cannot wait to watch, listen and be motivated by his infectious energy!

Lynda Keane and Mushi Harush 

The next two presenters that I asked were women that I truly feel an affinity with. Lynda Keane and Mushi Harush are my kindred spirits. I love their passion, their sincerity, and their honesty. Fabulous teachers and academics, they want to share everything that they know without holding back: what they deliver in their sessions will truly be gold. Lynda is someone whose research I have often quoted in my workshops since first meeting her over a decade ago. She is the ultimate expert in fascia science in the water, so if you want to understand how to apply this knowledge in the pool, you will not want to miss this session.

Mushi, Mushi, Mushi. What more can I say about a woman whose energy will reach through your screen and put the biggest smile on your face? Mushi is just an incredible woman and I have been blessed to have the opportunity to teach with her. Man, that was one of the highlights in my career. Funny, interesting, and so creative! I had been devotedly following her at conferences in the US until, one year, we connected and the rest, as they say, is history. Mushi’s remarkable research into the difference that water exercise can make for people with osteoarthritis will change the way you teach aqua – it certainly did for me.

H2O CONFERENCE: Four incredibly good reasons to register

These brilliant presenters are four incredibly good reasons to register for this event, the H2O Conference! In addition to this top-notch international line-up, the online format also has a few other advantages. If you’re not able to virtually attend on the day, you will be able to access the presentations following the event. Plus, if you currently have any of my memberships, you will have lifetime access to the videos – and trust me, you will want to go back and watch them again and again. This option to repeatedly review workshop materials was never an option in the past, when all you had were scribbled notes that didn’t make much sense six months later!

Now, everything is literally at your fingertips. There are definitely some silver linings to the way we’re doing things now.

I hope that you’ll join me and these wonderful presenters for H2O+ 2021 – it’s going to be a fantastic event packed with learning and laughter!