Aquatic Exercise Association

Day One - Thursday – November 19, 2026

1:00 – 6:15 pm Eastern Time Zone (Atlanta, New York)

The WHY Factor: Creating Purpose Driven Aquatic Training (LEC)

Javier Bergas, BS

Water can become the ultimate ally for restoring functional, controlled, and pain-free movement. Buoyancy, hydrostatic pressure, and water’s sensory feedback can enhance proprioception, stability, and confidence, helping participants reclaim movements they thought were lost.

Fill in the Bounce (AWS)

Richard Gormley, BSc K

Stacking and layering movements to create choreography is a timeless skill, yet one of the hardest for an instructor to master. It all comes down to the musical phrasing and transitional movements (bounce & jog) to create seamless progressions for simple, yet ingenious combinations. 

 

Aquatic Exercise is Medicine: Exercise for Fall Prevention (LEC)

Lori Sherlock, EdD

Aquatic exercise can bridge the gap from sedentary to active for novice or physically challenged exercisers. Understand effective aquatic exercise programming for fall prevention, applying best practices for improving functional mobility and confidence. 

Back and Hips Improvements with Vibration (AWS-THER+) 

Ruth Sova, MS

Unplanned or disorganized movement may be an issue for those with hip and back pain, but it may also be a benefit for some clients. Work from the inside out and move with intentional sequences while adding various vibrational components (music, shaking, singing, humming, etc.).

Testing and Promoting Step Strategies with a Noodle (AWS-THERAPY)

Beth Scalone, PT, DPT, OCS

The stepping strategy is a balance strategy that involves taking a step to regain balance when the body's center of gravity is pushed too far for the ankle or hip strategies to compensate. Explore how the aquatic environment can be used to challenge and improve balance, postural control, and stepping strategies, creating progressive balance challenges while providing a supportive, safe setting for movement. ”

 

AEA Arthritis Foundation Integrations – Make it Fun (LAB)

Julie See

No surprise … arthritis-based exercise programming is in demand. Big surprise … these formats can – and should – be fun and engaging for the participant and the program leader. Following the AEA Arthritis Foundation evidence-based programming ensures safe and effective training. Bringing your personality and creativity makes movement fun again! 

 

Day Two - Friday – November 20, 2026

1:00 – 6:15 pm Eastern Time Zone (Atlanta, New York)

 

Hydro Load (AWS)

Katy Coffey

Use drag-resistance tools like AquaStrength barbells, bells, and fins to isolate muscle groups with slow, controlled, and purposeful movements. Train within optimal time-under-tension to stimulate muscle fiber adaptation, improve muscular endurance, and enhance strength. 

One Hand Bar 3.0 (AWS)

Joao Santos, BSc

Create dynamic, efficient, and challenging movement sequences using only one aquatic hand bar per student. Create fluid and progressive sequences through asymmetrical movement exploration, lever variations, alternating body segments, and constant core activation. 

Pediatrics: Possibilities for Disabilities and Challenges 2.0 (LAB-THER+) 

Katrien Lemahieu, BS 

Updated with new ideas and innovations! Explore practical strategies and aquatic exercises for engaging children with CP, developmental delays, learning disabilities, and other physical or developmental challenges. Case studies provide practical solutions for improving skills and quality of life. 

 

Aqua Yoga for Balance (AWS-THER+)

Christa Fairbrother, MA

Yoga has been shown to improve the balance of people living with a diverse range of conditions. Review yoga’s impact on the vestibular system and yoga-based techniques for improving balance that can be used in shallow water for both therapeutic and fitness clients.

Tidal Surge (LAB)

Craig Yaniglos

The answer to your favorite land-based HIIT workout engineered for powerful results without the pounding. Intense blocks of metabolic conditioning, strength development using drag equipment, and a core-crushing finale all driven by heart-pumping playlists and expert coaching.

Buy-Ins, Benchmarks and Bonuses (LAB)

Stephanie Thielen, BS

While the 3 B’s have different goals, they all have the same purpose, which is to put the workout back into the hands of the class participant. Buy-ins set the tone for the workout. Benchmarks focus on seeing fitness improvement. Bonuses mentally and physically challenge fitness performance.