Dear Aquatics Team Members…

Many thanks to our Aquatics Team! You make a huge difference in the lives and wellness plan of each of our members and guests. Thank you for your tireless efforts at teaching, guarding, inspiring, and encouraging all while ensuring that everyone remains safe. Your commitment to care plays an integral role in allowing us to be at the center of community well-being. – Kurt Knop, Pasadena-Sierra Madre Y

 

A special Thank You to our dedicated team of Aquatics professionals! Everyday you show up ready to save lives! Whether you’re monitoring for safety or teaching young ones how to swim, you are heroes every single day! Congrats to Amanda & Josh our new aquatics leaders at CKY! Thrilled to think of the new ripples of impact this team will lead. – Rick Ward, Collins & Katz Y

 

I love that YOU love Aquatics and have stuck with the CKY this past year. Thank you for continuing to grow with the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles. Be Well. Do Good. Lead Change. Families are depending on you to make a difference.  – Cheryl Vargas, Kolar Y

 

To our incredible Aquatic Staff, I want to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude for all that you do to provide a safe, welcoming, and positive environment for the youth and families we serve each day. Whether you are guarding the pool, teaching swim lessons, encouraging a nervous beginner, or celebrating a child’s success in the water, your commitment makes a lasting difference in our community.
More than 30 years ago, I began my own YMCA journey right here at the Montebello-Commerce YMCA as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Those experiences helped shape who I am today and instilled in me a lifelong passion for serving others. One of the greatest joys of my career is now seeing adults whom I taught to swim as children bringing their own sons and daughters to the Y to learn this essential life skill. That full-circle moment is a powerful reminder of the impact aquatic staff have on generations of families. The confidence, safety, and joy you provide extend far beyond the pool deck and often remain with participants for a lifetime. Every lesson taught, every swimmer encouraged, and every life protected contributes to a stronger, healthier, and more connected community. You are not only teaching swim strokes and water safety—you are building confidence, creating memories, and helping save lives. Thank you for your professionalism, your patience, your dedication, and your unwavering commitment to our mission. The positive impact you make as lifeguards and swim instructors is immeasurable, and our community is better because of each of you. Thank you for all that you do. We are grateful for you and proud of the difference you make every day.  With appreciation. – John Loussararian, Montebello-Commerce YMCA

 

You keep our pool safe, our members smiling, and our Y shining every single day. Your hard work, dedication, and commitment to creating a fun, safe, and welcoming environment make a lasting impact on everyone who walks through our doors. Thank you for everything you do, big and small. Your efforts never go unnoticed, and we are so grateful to have each of you as part of our YMCA family. We appreciate you! 💙🌊 – Jackie Quintero, North Valley Y

 

Thank you KET Lifeguard team we appreciate all the care and effort you put in ensuring every member in our community is safe every day! – Juan Alcala, Ketchum-Downtown Y

 

Thank you AQ SERV TEAM for your hard work, dedication, and commitment. Every day, you play a vital role in keeping our members and guests safe, and your professionalism, teamwork, and vigilance do not go unnoticed. Thank you for showing up with a positive attitude, supporting one another, and always being ready to respond when needed. The care and attention you give to every shift help create a safe, welcoming, and enjoyable environment for everyone who visits our facility. I truly appreciate everything you do and am grateful to have such an outstanding team. Keep up the amazing work, stay safe, and thank you for making a difference every single day! – Gerry Salcedo, Southeast Rio Vista Y

 

Thank you our Aquatics Team Members for keeping our kids, families and senior safe and comfortable while in and near the water. You are saving lives every day by teaching skills and confidence. Your work is the ultimate expression of care to our community and beautifully represents why the YMCA is the center for community well-being. Your work is so important and you are appreciated. I look forward to watching your Netflix Documentary about the trauma that the old lady who complained every morning about the pool temperature caused :). Continue to DO GOOD! The community needs you. – Chris Jefferson, Association Office

 

THANK YOU to all of the Lifeguards, Swim Instructors, and Water Exercise Instructors that make our Gardena-Carson Y go! Please don’t forget your first aid gloves. – Spencer Yamasaki, Gardena-Carson Y

 

To our incredible Aquatics Team, whether you’ve worked one shift with us or have been part of our team for years, I just want to take a moment to say thank you! The long hours, trainings, certifications, early mornings, late evenings, and everything you put into this job make a difference every single day. Every time you step onto the pool deck, you’re doing so much more than watching the water. You’re creating an environment where our members and families can relax, have fun, build confidence, learn new skills, and most importantly, know they’re safe because you’re there.  A lot of your work often happens behind the scenes and can sometimes go unnoticed, but please know that it doesn’t go unnoticed by me. Every whistle blown, every lesson taught, every pool test completed, every deck cleaned, every question answered, and every moment you’re focused on keeping our members safe helps create the positive experience people expect when they come to our Crowell Family YMCA.  The responsibility you carry is significant, and I never take for granted the commitment, professionalism, and care you bring to each shift. Because of you, many children, families, and members are able to enjoy our pool with confidence. I truly appreciate each and every one of you and again thank you for everything you do to make our YMCA a safe, welcoming, and fun place for everyone. Thank you for all that you do! – Jason Ramos, Crowell Family Y

 

A big shout-out to our amazing Aquatics Team! Thank you for welcoming our members, keeping them safe, and making such a meaningful impact on so many people in our community. Your work is lifesaving, and we are incredibly grateful for all you do. You truly are the best of the best! -Erin Inaba, Torrance-South Bay Y

 

Thank you SO much for giving our kids and families the confidence to explore a new adventure. You are the Y heroes! –Diana Medel, Wilmington Y

 

Team, we want to acknowledge the incredibly tough but vital work you are doing out there. We know that lifeguarding isn’t just about sitting on a stand—it is about enduring extreme heat, managing difficult situations, and keeping a sharp eye on every single swimmer, regardless of their skill level. Your quick thinking, professional discipline, and preventative actions save lives before emergencies even happen. Thank you for bringing your best effort every day, maintaining your composure under pressure, and keeping our facilities running safely. We are immensely proud of you.  You  are celebrated today. –Delayzio Amerson, Association Office

 

Thank you to the amazing Aquatics team at Westchester! They make the members feel so welcome and do a great job in providing quality fitness and swim programs to the youth, families and seniors who visit each day. – Dawn Everard, Westchester Y

 

Today we celebrate and recognize each of you for the incredible work you do every day. Being a lifeguard is so much more than just “watching the water” It’s about protecting lives, responding with confidence, and creating a safe, welcoming environment for every member and guest who walks through our doors. It’s about relationships! Your professionalism, dedication, and commitment to safety make a difference every single day. Whether you’re preventing incidents before they happen, teaching confidence in the water, or stepping up to support your teammates, your efforts do not go unnoticed. Thank you for your hard work, your teamwork, and the pride you take in wearing that red guard shirt. I am proud to have such an outstanding aquatics team representing our center – THE Antelope Valley Family YMCA. Happy National Lifeguard Day…I appreciate you all so much! – Cynthia Lathrop, Antelope Valley Y

 

Thank you to our incredible Santa Anita Y Lifeguards for your dedication, professionalism, and commitment to keeping our community safe every day. Your hard work, vigilance, and caring hearts make a difference in the lives of so many. We are grateful for everything you do! Happy National Lifeguard Day! 🛟💙 – Gabriel Gonzalez, Santa Anita Y

 

My Life Savers! Thank you for your dedication to the work we do together. I am so grateful to have such a solid team, working together to keep everyone safe through teaching life changing skills, and sometimes literally saving lives! You all support each other, me, and our community every day and Santa Anita wouldn’t be the same without y’all. Thank you for everything that you do and your commitment to our mission. – Alicia Hagen, Santa Anita Y

 

To our incredible Aquatic Staff, Thank you for your dedication, professionalism, and passion for keeping our pools safe every single day. Your hard work, teamwork, and commitment create a welcoming environment where every swimmer can learn, grow, and enjoy the water with confidence. Your efforts make a lasting impact on water safety across Los Angeles and help build stronger, healthier communities. Remember—you don’t just make waves, you prevent them! Thank you for everything you do to keep our community safe, one splash at a time. – Harry Van, Association Office

 

Today we celebrate the incredible dedication, passion, and impact of our aquatics team. Every lesson you teach, every swimmer you encourage, and every life you help protect reflects the very best of what the YMCA stands for.  Your work goes far beyond the pool. You build confidence in children, promote health and wellness, create a welcoming community, and provide families with peace of mind knowing their loved ones are learning life-saving skills. Every smile, every milestone, and every life touched is a testament to your commitment. Thank you for showing up with compassion, professionalism, and purpose every day. You are making a lasting difference, one swimmer at a time. As we celebrate Aquatics Appreciation Day, know that your dedication inspires us all. Thank you for being the heart of our aquatics programs and for living the YMCA mission through every splash, every lesson, and every act of care. Happy Aquatics Appreciation Day and thank you for all that you do! – Victor Dominguez, President & CEO, YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles