Announcer: [00:00:04] Prepare now for The State of Aquatics Address with President Jamal Hill of Aquatics Today [00:00:07][2.4]
President Jamal Hill: [00:00:28] Thank you for joining me today and taking a moment from your busy schedules to listen in on this address. The State of Aquatics Address. It's been a long two years since the beginning of COVID, and we face a lot of challenges moving into this new year. The challenge of lifeguard recruitment. A pervasive challenge, that's wreaking havoc across the nation. Facilities are understaffed. Students are unable to learn how to swim because there's no one there to teach them. Facilities are unable to open because there is not enough staff to man the waters. We still face the challenge of diversity. A challenge that we've faced since day one. How do we bring more people of color, more people of diverse religious and ethnic backgrounds into the aquatic spaces? How do we invite them and help them to believe? That this aquatics community is also theirs. [00:01:41][73.5]
[00:01:44] We face the challenge of drowning prevention. Is that an issue of social or economic class? It very well may be. We need to step up. We face the very, very clear, and present challenge of the echo chamber that has become our aquatic space. Where we sit and speak amongst individuals who already know. Who already recognize the need. But those voices never reach those in need. [00:02:22][37.8]
[00:02:24] These are the challenges we face. A challenge of public perception. Where swimming is seen as more of recreational activity, than as a public health issue. These are the challenges that we face. And as we live in this new context of the aquatics community that has been sculpted by the reality of COVID 19, it's imperative now more than ever. That we think outside of the box. That we move forward. Because these challenges have not come to limit us, they will not define us. [00:03:10][46.6]
[00:03:12] We will rise. [00:03:14][1.7]
President Jamal Hill: [00:03:16] Together. Aquatics Nation. I have a vision. We have got to reach across the aisle, and form coalitions hand in hand. These problems were created by what's going on in the world, but it's going to be up to us to make the difference and to make those changes. [00:03:44][27.8]
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00:03:45] Aquatics Nation, I've sat down with the leaders in this space. I've sat down with the leaders of the Aquatics Professionals and the leaders of the Drowning Prevention Alliance. [00:03:58][12.5]
President Jamal Hill: [00:03:59] I want you to know what it is that I am doing to help us battle these challenges. To help us stand victorious for our community. First and foremost, we will form more powerful coalitions. I am extremely proud to announce that even just next year, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance will be coming hand-in-hand with the Association of Aquatic Professionals for an inaugural conference unlike any ever seen before. [00:04:33][34.3]
[00:04:35] I'm here to tell you that we are stepping up. We are breaking down the walls of that echo chamber. We are amplifying this voice of need for those who need to hear it. At Aquatics Today we have resources where we are increasing that media exposure and providing resources to continue to support our professionals in every way shape and form that they need so that those professionals can support this community, this ever-growing community, Aquatics Nation. [00:05:05][29.8]
[00:05:08] We are going into the schools. We are reaching the students where they are in their youth, where they need it. That is what we are doing. This is our vision, aquatics nation. This is the opportunity. This is the space and future we will create together. [00:05:28][20.5]
[00:05:30] We can do it. We will do it. And quite frankly, aquatic nation, we must do it. [00:05:30][0.0]
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