Hallelujah! Aqua Instructors have found their voice.

If you are not on social media or have been busy enjoying your summer holidays, you may not be aware of a series of viral posts that have captured the interest of aqua instructors over the past few weeks. It started with a comment about FILEX not having an aqua session on the schedule for 2018. This was like watching a bushfire, where the words flew around faster than I could keep up with. Having ended up with an assurance from Fitness Australia’s CEO, Bill Moore, that aqua will definitely be on the FILEX schedule for 2019. Several forums are organised around Australia for aqua instructors to attend to discuss issues that have been topical but not openly spoken about.

Are you passionate about aqua?

Like anything on social media, people openly discuss what is important to them. Although I didn’t necessarily agree with all the comments, I was happy to hear voices from aqua instructors. I have listened to things in workshops but never on a public platform. Voices that expressed a passion for aqua, their participants and the value that this form of exercise brings to a much wider community than many other formats gaining somewhat more attention than the water. They were expressing dissatisfaction with issues that have been tolerated for a long time due to a quiet acceptance that nothing would ever change.

Let’s work together

Change is definitely happening, and this uproar has certainly made aqua instruction a topical conversation that even Bill Moore has been involved in. Currently, forums are being organised by Dom Gili around the country for instructors to attend to discuss issues and develop solutions. Suppose you are passionate about your clients, classes, and the value you offer your community and can make recommendations about moving forward. In that case, I strongly encourage you to attend one of these forums to ensure your voice is heard, too.