The Who, What, Where, and How of hosting our Portable Pools Program.

Our mission is to prevent drowning and promote the health benefits of aquatic exercise by offering swim lessons, aquatic workouts and water safety education.  

Welcome to Aqua Funatics! . 

Together we can save lives!  

Together we can prevent drowning!

Together we can empower our children with tools to live healthier and happier lives!

 Thank you for your interest in hosting our program.

What We Need From Our Hosts 

As a host you will need to provide some simple but essential provisions for the program to succeed. Please review the checklist below to see if you are a suitable match. 

* * *  If you are not a match we have many other ways to include your organization in our programs without being a host. Information for off site participation can be discussed by reaching out to us through email, text, or phone.

Host Checklist

• Flat land that is approximately 30 x 60 feet. Can be grass, asphalt, or concrete. To put that into perspective it would be about ⅔ of a basketball court or approx. 8 two row  parking spaces. We can make adjustments to some slightly unlevel surfaces.

• Access and use of a water spout. We have several hoses so distance from the pool is not a major factor. Water is used to fill the pool levels from evaporation and filter water loss not the initial pool filling. 

• Access and use of an electrical outlet capable of handling, at least one but preferably two, 16 gauge extension cords. The outlet’s distance from the pool is not a major factor.

• At least one Restroom that can be accessed and used by the program staff and participants.

• A minimum of 35 participants from your organization. *see details below 

• A willingness to collaborate on raising funds through your organization’s network of donors to help offset the cost.  ** see details below

Think you’re a match?  Awesome!

 Here’s what the process looks like:

Sample-  Host Plan

Step 1:    

       Upon expressing interest we would meet and discuss details. At this phase we work with the host to inspect the pool location and verify access to water and electricity. Together we determine dates available for our programming, and go over the options available at that time for funding the program**. Together we can prepare a fundraising campaign if needed. Our program manager and a board member responsible for code compliance will both do a site review and prepare a detailed plan that works for both organizations.  (2 weeks)   

Step 2:     

         We provide water safety information in printed and digital formats available for participants of the portable pools program to review. Included in that we also provide a “parents guide to water safety” informative pamphlet or digital pdf. This informative printed packet or digital web page also includes information about our upcoming swim lessons and instructions on how to register.  (2-3 weeks)

Step 3:     

         Parents or legal guardians register online through our web page and linked scheduling app. Acceptance of our policies ,pool rules and a notice of what to expect at your first lesson are all provided and agreed to. A short questionnaire about the child’s age, health, and disclosure of any special needs is required. The last phase are the waivers and releases, all of which are signed before they can even begin to book their lessons. A digital record of all paperwork is kept in an online database. If any payment is necessary we will collect it online.  We will ask parents to do a quick survey related to the parents and child’s experience in water and some questions regarding their views or opinions on water safety. The purpose of the survey is to better understand the public perceptions of water safety vs the reality. (overlapping step 2, 2-3 weeks)

Step 4:   

 2 days before we begin lessons our crew delivers and assembles the pool. The Oc Fire Department is thrilled to collaborate with our program and come fill the pool from the fire hydrants if that option is available. This adds an extra layer of excitement when the kids get to see the fire truck and the firemen. Once the pool is full we go through a checklist to guarantee that the pool is not only code approved but functional for our swimmers. We set up our solid steel security shed that contains pool chemicals (3x4x3) and ensure that it is securely locked and placed in a safe location. We test our pool cover and locks to make sure it is secured. We  set up a designated first aid and lifeguard station. Its a 6x8x6 shed that holds all our first aid equipment, a small table, and foldable chairs. It will also be where we place a pool vacuum, pool toys and teaching platforms to lock up at the end of each day. We set up the shower and foot bucket, do a mock run through of how and where we expect swimmers to enter and exit, and where parents can wait and view their child’s lessons. We post any signs needed to direct the participants or that may be required by state or county codes.  We inspect everything for a second time and then prepare for the exciting part.  ( 2 days )

Step 5:    Day one lessons: Depending on enrollment we will have between 2 and 5 certified  instructors at the pool to teach lessons and supervise the pool. We will explain pool rules, do a swim test, record the results for each student as a benchmark for improving their skills. Ensure the participants are in the right classes at the right times and all is running smoothly. As is required by law a staff member will begin filling out the required daily pool readings, and a record of any and all chemicals added.  Following all pool operator guidelines, state requirements and in accordance with the Health and Safety Dept. and we will keep on hand, at all times, a small notebook for each site we visit with these records. The notebook will also include any incident reports and an end of the day review for each day signed by all instructors and lifeguards who are working on that day.  (1 day )

Step 6: Empower the participants by helping them master aquatic skills. Better swimmers for a better Life! Have fun and just keep swimming! (4-5 weeks )

Step 7:      At the end of the sessions we provide our swimmers with an award and a personal note on their progress and success! This is also documented and attached to the beginning swim test for  both our own evaluation as well as a reminder of the success achieved for the swimmers.   We begin draining the pool and packing up. The following day our crew will arrive to disassemble and relocate our pool and all our property to the next site.       (2 days )