Making Waves
This year, our Aquatics Program move from strength to strength – growing deeper in impact, broader in reach, and more inclusive than ever before.
After a brief pause during the pandemic, our Adaptive Aquatics program relaunched with a reimagined structure and a renewed commitment to inclusion. Today, more than 40 families are actively participating. Thanks to the specialized Swim Angelfish Adaptive Swim training, our instructors are better equipped than ever to meet the widespread needs of young swimmers with disabilities – setting us apart from other programs in Greater Milwaukee.
“Families are reaching out in record numbers, and we’re working hard to recruit more trained instructors to meet the demand,” shared Jess Lanke, Senior Director of Programs. “For many families, the JCC is the best option.” The growth has been inspiring. And this year, the momentum carried us even further.
After some time in our adaptive programming, some children were ready to transition beyond one-on-one instruction. To support this, we launched a new integrated model: a dedicated adaptive swim lane within our youth JCC Triggerfish Swim Team practices. Here, swimmers with disabilities train alongside peers, with in-water support and individualized workouts. It’s competitive, empowering, and community-driven – currently serving four families and growing. This evolution reflects a beautiful partnership between Aquatics and our Disability Inclusion program, led by Sarah McCutcheon who has spent much of her career in aquatics.
Looking ahead, Aquatics Director Zachary Altman is working towards a new program for children ages 0-4 with disabilities, where caregivers will join their children in the water to learn foundational swim safety together – and investment in confidence and skill that begins at the earliest age.
At the other end of the spectrum, Adult Aquatics is making its own waves. This year saw the addition of a new instructor who also leads our JCC Master Swim program – now nine swimmers strong. From beginners confronting a lifelong fear of the water to advanced swimmers refining their strokes, our new adult lessons serve a wide range of needs. Five one-on-one lessons run each week, and group classes like Swim for Fitness are in development to help adults get comfortable with lap swim.
Our proudest stories of the last year showcase an adult who began with private lessons who now swims confidently in the JCC Master Swim program, and a young swimmer, now a volunteer coach for the JCC Triggerfish Swim Team who was once a participant on that team. These full-circle moments speak volumes – a testament to growth, perseverance, and the power of community.
Swimming is a life skill. But at the JCC, it’s also a bridge to health, inclusion, and belonging. From toddlers to teens, first-timers to future coaches, every ripple in our pool tells a story of strength.
And we’re just getting started.
