For swim coaches and water aerobics instructors, there are three must-attend conferences to keep up with the latest in-water training tools.
At these must-attend annual conferences, aquatic professionals and swim coaches have a chance to preview the latest in in-water training equipment, training techniques, and get a chance to catch up with their professional colleagues from around the world. Details of all three aquatic events are found at the end of this article.
As the leading manufacturer of stretch cords and swim training aids, we will be featuring live demonstrations of our StrechCordz® and MediCordz® products at specific events. To find out more about the AEA/IAFC Conference, we spoke with the founder of the Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute and the Aquatic Exercise Association, Ruth Sova. She also spends time helping NZ Manufacturing test new products as a member of our advisory board.
Tell us a little about the Aquatic Exercise Association. As the founder, why is the AEA important to you?
As I was traveling to teach at different pools and conferences I noticed that there was no clearinghouse for information on aquatic exercise. We needed one. We weren’t learning from one another but just doing our own thing. We needed to see what everyone was doing so we could choose what worked for us and our clients (and pool). I decided I would create a clearinghouse of information … that’s how AEA started. It continues to be the go-to place if you have questions about how other people are dealing with a situation like yours. The education is excellent—not just at conferences, but on the website and in the AKWA magazine.
NZ Manufacturing will have a number of StrechCordz products demonstrated at the AEA Conference in May, including the Aqua Pool Band, Mini Modular Set, Drag Belt Tow Tether, and the Safety Short Belt. What has your experience with StrechCordz products been?
StrechCordz is hard to spell but easy to use. The straps, cuffs, and handles are all secure and the tubing holds up in the water. We’ve had many other brands disintegrate and/or snap during use. The StrechCordz work perfectly. There’s no unwinding of attachments. Everything is secure. Even the Mini Modular set that comes apart according to your use will not come apart when assembled … no matter what assembly you decide on.
You also founded the Aquatic Therapy and Rehab Institute, which also has an approaching conference in June. What is the importance of this organization? How long has it been around?
In 1992 my dad had a stroke (and my mom needed help), their home had burned down and they needed a new home built, our daughter was getting married, and my husband decided to buy his own business … there wasn’t enough time to be president of AEA and a mom, daughter, and wife. Something had to go, and it couldn’t be family, so Angie Proctor and Julie See took over AEA. In the meantime, I had started teaching more Special Populations courses and as I was traveling to teach at different clinics, hospitals and conferences I noticed that there was no clearinghouse for information on aquatic therapy. (Does this sound familiar?) Once again, we needed to share…I decided I would create a clearinghouse of information and, just like AEA, that’s how ATRI started. It was small and manageable while I was with my family, but grew nicely as I had more time. It is the go-to place if you have questions about how other therapists are dealing with a particular patient. The education is excellent; like AEA, it’s not just at conferences but on the website, on our eList, and in our newsletters.
Our StrechCordz products are used for in-water and dry-land therapy and will be presented at the ATRI Conference. What is the significance of dry-land therapy versus in-water therapy? Have you used any of our StrechCordz products for aquatic therapy?
We have to function on land, so that’s where all our therapeutic endeavors take us. It’s simply easier on the body to be in water. For those who need to off-load or start at a lower level with patients, the water is perfect. StrechCordz give us the ability to focus on one aspect of the therapeutic process. We are imaginative in using the cords, putting feet in the handholds, using them asymmetrically, decreasing the tow length for working with only an arm or leg (instead of the trunk, etc.). They are a perfect assistant for those of us working in the water.
Have you used any of our StrechCordz products for aquatic therapy?
I love the Drag Belt Tow Tether! I can adjust the difficulty with the length of the tether. I can place the belt lower on the trunk to work hips and low back. I can place it higher (under the armpits) to challenge the whole trunk. I often use the yellow to assist with decreasing tone in a spastic/contracted arm. Walking slowly with the affected Upper Extremity* strapped with the drag tether starts to gradually open the arm.
*the shoulder, arm, forearm, wrist, or hand
The Safety Short Belt is perfect for those of us using the Unpredictable Command Technique. In vertical position, it allows the practitioner to balance perturbations to assist or resist the client’s natural righting skills. The practitioner can be behind, in front, beside, or diagonal to the client. The client can simply stand during the destabilization or progress to marching in place, and then progress to walking.
The Mini Modular Set has everything a person needs for a challenging workout and also for helping a client with symmetrical or asymmetrical loading. I can attach it to the client and still hold one part for control of the challenge (or perturbations) OR I can attach it to the client and not maintain any control, but let him/her simply be challenged by the equipment. The possibilities with this product are limitless.
Here’s a List of the Upcoming Spring-2016 Aquatic Exercise and Swim Coaching Conferences:
Date: May 10-14
Event: AEA/IAFC
Location: Palm Harbor Florida.
We will have the following products featured during lectures as well as in-water demonstrations by several presenters:
StrechCordz Aqua Pool Band, StrechCordz Mini Modular Set, StrechCordz Drag Belt Tow Tether, StrechCordz Safety Cord Short Belt and the Orginal StrechCordz with Handles .
Register : www.AEAWave.com
Date: June 21-24
Event: 21st International Aquatic Therapy Symposium Conference
Location: Sanibel, Florida
Maryanne Haggerty, an exercise physiologist, will be demonstrating a NEW upper body and lower body kit for arthritic users which features very light resistance levels for in-water use. It is a MediCordz® brand product. The presenter will also be demonstrating MediCordz and StrechCordz products for in-water as well as dry-land therapy in six different presentations.
Register: http://www.atri.org/Symposium16.htm
Date: Sept. 6-11
Event: ASCA World Clinic (The American Swim Coaches Association)
Location: Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
We will be having guest coaches assist us in the booth this year. We will be rolling out a new product: The Quick Connect Kit. This is similar to the Quick Connect but would a set of cords with the ability to perform super sets in circuit training. The Quick Connect feature allows swimmer to move from station to station without the need of removing belt/tubing. Simply disconnect and reconnect!
Register: Swimmingcoach.org/portfolio/2016-asca-world-clinic/
