The 2024 conference will be held at the Alderwood Pool in Alderwood Centre, 2 Orianna Dr., Etobicoke.


This conference is for anyone interested in aquatic fitness! Become a certified Aquatic Fitness Instructor or recertify your current certification by attending the appropriate conference option. Additionally, you have the opportunity to add a specialty certification to your resume. Join us to make connections and enhance your network while learning new trends in aquatic fitness.

Conference and Recertification

  • One weekend:
    • Saturday, September 14
    • Sunday, September 15
  • 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Recertify your current WaterART qualifications, have the opportunity to become certified in a new specialty, earn continuing education credits towards other certifying programs or just come for the love of aquatic fitness.

Register on eFUN by using barcode 4279908.

Conference and new Aquatic Fitness Instructor Certification

  • Two weekends:
    • Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8
    • Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15
  • 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Become certified as an Aquatic Fitness Instructor. The first weekend has a set curriculum. This will prepare you for the second weekend in which you will take part in the conference.

Practical exams will be scheduled by WaterART upon completion.

Register on eFUN by using barcode 4279907.

How to register on eFUN

  1. Go to efun.toronto.ca
  2. Select Registered Programs
  3. Enter the barcode for one of the two options in the Register Now text box and press enter/select the button with the magnifying glass
  4. In the pop-up window, select Add to Cart
  5. Follow the instructions by entering your Client and Family Numbers or, if you don’t have an account, register for one online

For help registering, call the City of Toronto’s Client Services at 416-396-7378.

What to bring

  • bathing suit(s)
  • towel(s)
  • water shoes
  • notebook/pad
  • writing utensils
  • snacks
  • appropriate attire for the weather conditions
  • water bottle

This year the two specialty certification courses offered are Water Running Specialty Certification and Seniors Specialty Certification.

After registration, you will be contacted by WaterART to choose your sessions for the conference. If you are interested in certifying in a new specialty, please let WaterART know as this will determine which sessions you are required to attend. Within each session, you have the option of attending different topics, ensure that you are attending the required number of topics to complete the specialty requirement.

Please note the new specialty certification home study materials – which include the certification material, the study guide questions, laminated cards and the exam fees – are not included in the cost of the conference.

Session requirements:

  • Seniors Specialty Certification: five water sessions and three leadership sessions
  • Water Running Specialty Certification: three water sessions and one leadership session

Sessions and session requirements are subject to change.

Seniors Specialty Certification

This certification focuses on improving functionality for Seniors through water exercise. Training in water provides a protective environment which naturally balances the body to easily train posture and balance – a key to aging well. This program includes theoretical and practical instruction that focuses on aquatic fitness exercises that positively impact our aging community. This program is perfect for anyone who would like to work with our older adult community.

Session requirements include:

  • Senior’s Functional Fitness (water)
  • Muscular Conditioning for Seniors (water)
  • Senior’s Shallow and Deep Combo Class (water)
  • Modifications for Senior’s Fitness (Part 1) (water)
  • Modifications for Senior’s Fitness (Part 2) (water)
  • Senior’s Functional Fitness (theory) (land)
  • Programming for Common Medical Conditions (Part 1) (land)
  • Programming for Common Medical Conditions (Part 2) (land)

Water Running Certification

This certification focuses on exploring aquatic running in shallow and deep water with High Intensity Interval Training System (HIITS) lesson plan incorporating total body muscular balancing approach for injury prevention. Buoyancy belts, tethers, cuffs and other advanced water equipment may be incorporated into this training.

Session requirements:

  • Interval Running (water)
  • H20 Running (water)
  • Tri-Aqua-Fun! (water)
  • H20 Running (land)

After registration, WaterART will be contacting you to register in the sessions offered.

Lunch and refreshments will be served.

Saturday, September 14, 2024

Time Activity
8:15 to 8:50 a.m. Registration and Networking
9 to 9:45 a.m. Day 1 Session 1: Shallow Deep Combo – Discover the Difference (bleachers)
10 to 11 a.m. Day 1 Session 2. Choose one of the following:

  • Senior’s Functional Fitness (water)
  • Deep Water Training with Belts (water)
  • Make the Most of Your Music (leadership)
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Day 1 Session 3. Choose one of the following:

  • Cool Warm Ups and Hot Cool Downs (water)
  • Deep H2O Noodles (water)
  • H2O Running (leadership)
12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Lunch and Networking
1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Day 1 Session 4. Choose one of the following:

  • Muscular Conditioning for Seniors (water)
  • Interval Running (water)
  • Learn Proper Technique and Delete Danger from Your Programs (leadership)
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Day 1 Session 5. Choose one of the following:

  • H2O Running (water)
  • Awesome Abs (water)
  • Senior’s Functional Fitness (leadership)
3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Day 1 Session 6. Choose one of the following:

  • Senior’s Shallow and Deep Combo Class (water)
  • Practical Tips for Lesson Planning (leadership)

Sunday, September 15, 2024

Time Activity
8:15 to 8:50 a.m. Registration and Networking
9 to 9:45 a.m. Day 2 Session 1: Progress Your Programs with Techniques and New Equipment (bleachers)
10 to 11 a.m. Day 2 Session 2: Fun with Equipment – Circuit Shallow and Deep (water)
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Day 2 Session 3. Choose one of the following:

  • Modifications for Senior’s Fitness: Part 1 (water)
  • Tri-Aqua-Fun: Running, Cycling, and Finning/Swimming (water)
  • Pre-Post Natal (leadership)
12:15 to 1:15 p.m. Lunch and Networking
1:15 to 2:15 p.m. Day 2 Session 4. Choose one of the following:

  • Shallow H2O Running (water)
  • Deep Muscle Up (water)
  • Programming for Common Medical Conditions: Part 1 (leadership)
2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Day 2 Session 5. Choose one of the following:

  • Improving Your Practical Skills and Drills(water)
  • H2O Running (water)
  • Programming for Common Medical Conditions: Part 2 (leadership)
3:45 to 4:45 p.m. Day 2 Session 6. Choose one of the following:

  • Modifications for Senior’s Fitness: Part 2 (water)
  • Improving Your Practical Skills and Drills (water)
  • H2O Running (leadership)

Awesome Abs

The best place to train the abdominal muscle group and core stabilizers is the water. Start by examining the appropriate function for the specific muscles involved. Learn an inventory of exercises to help your participants target this important muscle group.

Cool Warm Ups and Hot Cool Downs

Taking the time to warm up with proper full-body movements at the beginning of a program will help your participant work cohesively and safely through a class. stretching moves and relaxation techniques at the end of the class will have your participants wanting to come back.

Deep Muscle Up

Muscular strength is needed in the water to promote cardiovascular fitness and burn calories. Understand how to effectively optimize muscle targeting for all your major muscle groups in deep water with and without advanced equipment. This session will use a buoyancy belt.

Deep H2O Noodles

This workshop showcases many creative ideas incorporating cardiovascular and muscle conditioning exercises while using the noodle. Learn the many body and noodle positions that can offer a challenging workout for your participants.

Deep H2O Training with Belts

Deep water training allows for cardiovascular movements and muscle conditioning in a variety of body positions that are not possible on land. Plan your program design to support participants with ranging abilities and strength,  using a buoyancy belt.

Fun with Equipment – Circuit Shallow and Deep

Let’s experience circuit-style exercises with buoyant and resistive equipment in shallow and/or deep water. This session will explore how equipment is used differently in shallow and deep-water exercises.

H2O Running

Shallow end option

This session will utilize shallow water and provide a variety of running drills for the athletic participant, especially runners.  During this session, you will be introduced to equipment such as resistant paddles and cuffs. Interval training, strengthening and overload are concepts that will be reviewed in this session. Learn how to keep your program moving at a high intensity with 25 to 50 per cent less joint stress to yield a more intense workout.

Deep end option

In deep water, aquatic running has been researched to help athletes on land improve their running times and goals without vertical wear and tear on their joints. Injured runners may stay protected and train with non-impact exercise which will prevent repetitive stress injuries. This session will utilize buoyancy belts to support the body in deep water. Advanced water equipment such as resistant paddles, cuffs and mitts will also be used.

Leadership option

Running for pleasure or competitive training has become a goal pursued by many individuals. Review the theory of how to develop both shallow and deep-water running programs. Learn four templates for program design to work on both high-intensity and muscle balances. Discover how water training may improve runner’s performance as well as provide amazing injury prevention.

Improving Your Practical Skills and Drills

Discover infinite ways to make your program interesting and effective in both shallow and deep water. Review, design and practice your teaching style techniques to enhance and improve your classes. Each instructor will have time to show the Master Trainer parts of their program for positive, corrective and specific feedback. Gain tips and tools to move to the next level of instruction. The session has a shallow and deep water option.

Interval Running

Experience the energy! Keep your participants motivated by adding variety through higher intensity intervals, alternating with active muscle conditioning sets. Interval training is an excellent way to program for weight management and improve heart rate recovery.

Learn Proper Technique and Delete Danger from Your Programs

Let’s review your exercise toolbox and understand why biomechanics and science are key for understanding exercise design. Review 15 exercises that have the potential to cause harm and learn how to teach them safely and effectively for your classes.

Make the Most of Your Music

Music may make or break an aquatic fitness program since the acoustics in the pool can be challenging. Learn to make better music choices to complement your program and add energy and interest in creating a more positive participant experience. Review many styles of music and how to use music to complement your moves for both regular and specialty programs.

Modifications for Senior’s Fitness: Part 1

Exercise is not one size fits all. Review a gentle aquatic fitness class to support participants with a variety of common medical conditions to lessen the intensity and impact. Teach and coach using positive corrective specific feedback from a functional fitness exercise inventory.

Modifications for Senior’s Fitness: Part 2

Experience how to layer your exercise design in shallow water to support a variety of participant skill levels. Review an additional 15 key exercises to include in your program which will help your participants to perform at their personal best.

Muscular Conditioning for Seniors

Review how to strengthen and stretch muscles in three different ways without equipment. Add some paddles for overload and progression to help your participants improve cardiovascular fitness and burn calories.

Practical Tips for Lesson Planning

What’s in your water exercise design toolbox? Let’s review a variety of exercises and explore the many ways to design more purposeful multi-level water fitness classes. Keep the talkers moving!

Prenatal and Postnatal

Learn strategies to integrate prenatal and postnatal pregnancies into mainstream aquatic fitness classes or create specific prenatal and postnatal programming. Learn how to create an appropriate program design for each trimester of pregnancy.

Programming for Common Medical Conditions: Part 1

Let’s learn how to teach a group exercise program using modification for common medical conditions. This session will focus on helping participants with shoulder, neck, hip, knee and lower back problems to reduce intensity, impact and harm to their body.

Programming for Common Medical Conditions: Part 2

Experience how to layer your exercise design to reduce the intensity and impact on your participants. Review key exercises that have the potential to cause harm and learn how to make them safer for a variety of health histories in your participants. Review exercises for posture, balance, and gait (walking) to help with these issues.

Progress Your Programs with Techniques and New Equipment

Adding equipment to your workout can be a great benefit to all participants. Equipment provides an opportunity to add variety and challenge to any workout. Using aquatic fitness equipment does not mean that it is suitable for all participants and all classes. Review how to create safe, effective and enjoyable progressive programs.

Senior’s Shallow-Deep Combo Class

Realizing different pool depths requires specialized skills, movements and outcomes. Let’s review a variety of exercises, body positions and program designs to skillfully teach both depths simultaneously specific to seniors.

Senior’s Functional Fitness

Start with simple exercises then progress to more challenging exercises to aid in improving function for daily activities, social events and family outings. Learn to incorporate equipment at the appropriate time in shallow water. Best of all – put the FUN back into FUNction!

Senior’s Functional Fitness Theory

Major priorities for seniors in the 21st Century are keeping healthy, staying active and remaining independent. Water exercises can be the answer to all three. Use the three-dimensional, resistive, buoyant, and invigorating properties of water to create an enjoyable program to motivate participants and keep them coming back for more.

Shallow-Deep Combo – Discover the Difference

Teaching both water depths simultaneously is a challenge for any instructor. Review how to simplify the system so that you may facilitate a safe, effective and enjoyable general group exercise program. Blend a program that may utilize exercises to target the cardiovascular system as well as balance the body with stretching, posture and strengthening exercises in both water depths.

Tri-Aqua-Fun!

Combine running, cycling, and finning (or swimming) for a high-intensity water workout. Learn these three programs to advance your participants’ skills and add in a competition component to keep everyone moving and working out at top cardio levels.

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