Over the years our members have said:

I work for The Hills Health Ranch in 108 Mile, BC - a wellness resort.  108 Mile is approximately 5 hours north of Vancouver and the population of our area is under 5000 people.  We do not have a municipal facility, so we hold aquafitness classes in The Hills hotel pool.  We have a wonderful group of women who have been coming for years - it is the only program that has a 'local' following.  Since we started the CALA program (I was trained with CALA over 4 years ago and brought CALA to The Hills 2 years ago) our attendance has doubled - consistently!  We offer aquafitness everyday at 11am, and during the week, our numbers range from 12-16+ locals and  whatever guests are staying - sometimes our numbers are up to 25! (if you saw our pool, you would be impressed!).  The participants have taken responsibility for their own training and bodies, work very hard to the best of their ability,  and have no more complaints (ah! This is the really great part!)!

In CALA, we offer a serious, educational, always dynamic approach to aquafitness.  We have a wonderful team who recognizes the value of training in the water for all levels:  seniors to athletes to people with injuries to pre/post natal women, and more.  We have marketing tips to help to bring in a clientele that normally would not think of exercising in the water (for example, 108 has a surprisingly large group of runners / triatheletes, and I am in the process of drawing them to the water for cross training with 'Water Running').  
Shelagh Noonan
108 Mile, BC
CALA-BCRPA Aquafitness Trainer

I am the programs coordinator at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia.  I want to ensure you that the money spent to train your instructors with CALA is a wise investment.  CALA is an organization that is about more than just the certification process...they are a committed to providing a high standard of aquatic leadership through continued education and support.  Once you become part of CALA, you become part of a family which will help your facility grow and prosper.  From day one, CALA has been there to answer any questions that I might have, and believe me, I have a lot of questions.  I have been in the fitness industry for almost 20 years, and of all the courses and associations that I have been affiliated with, CALA definitely is on the top of the list.  The course outline is longer than most Aquafit programs out there, however, it thoroughly gives you hands-on practical application along with the theory that is needed to make for a top notch leader.  Most other course provide participants with a condensed version of theory and not much practical application and push the participants out the door with no mentoring or reputable certification process.

When I came on board at Acadia, there was no consistency, growth or variety to our Aquafit program, which was very frustrating to both the staff and participants.  Since then, we have doubled our Aquafit attendance, and the rehabilitation centers now recognize the high quality of CALA training and refer clients to us to take part in regular Aquafit classes for post rehab (we also do aquatic personal training and work with the athletics departments to cross train sports specific groups).  Aquafit isn't "just for seniors" anymore and can be adapted to all fitness levels and limitations.  50% of my clientel are university age students who, once learning the advantages of training in water verses land, much prefer to go to an Aquafit class rather than a land based class.  The beauty of working with CALA is that you learn how to market and improve your client base.  CALA provides leaders with the ability to not just lead a class, but to educate while they lead.

 was so impressed with the CALA approach, that I have spent the last year working towards becoming a trainer for the CALA program.  I was fortunate to meet and be able to work with Shelagh Noonan over the last year and she is an awesome trainer.  The two of us joke as we are the Canadian Shanghi Noon trainers "east meets west". 

I hope this helps with your decision to bring CALA to your area.  It will be well worth it.
Angela Curry,
Programs Coordinator
Acadia University, Wolfville, Nova Scotia

In four years the facility that I teach at has gone from 3 morning aquafitness classes to 10 each week. The clientele has become stronger, healthier, and happier. I took a class of 20 who had been exercising in the shallow water for over 20 years, to a clientele base that exceeds 250 in deeper waters. The participants love the variety that I offer; aqua jogging, aqua spinning, aqua tai chi, aqua cardio, and arthritis. They say they love it when they travel to other centers that also have a CALA certified lead class, they understand the cueing, the signs and most of all they know what to expect. They understand their muscles, how to make them work harder in the water, they understand the principals of the water, knowledge they did not know or understand before CALA. I could go on.

I worked with the nay sayers, I was told many times that the participants didn't want to change, and yes there were a few who didn't like it. However the majority loved the changes. The CALA program is solid, no participant could change my mind that the old way was better. It has taken four years to evolve. I only started aqua tai chi this past fall, but they the particpants were ready for an additional challenge.

If you have any questions I would love to answer them. 
Marlene Cairns

We have been offering CALA aquafitness classes at our facility for the past 7+ years. Our classes average 20-30 people each time. The quality of training our instructors have received from CALA is the reason these classes are so popular. Our customers rave that our classes are fun, energetic and effective. We have had customers from out of town who say they can tell we offer CALA Quality by the way we teach and that it is by far the best class they've done. In addition to our 7 aquafitness classes per week we also offer 3 Aquajogging classes (we had to add another class due to popular demand). This is also a CALA program that has been very successful for us. We average 30 people per class ranging in ages and fitness abilities as well as good representation of both male and female.  Many of our Aquajogging participants have said it's the best work out they've ever had! It's important to note that Whitehorse is a community of around 20,000 people so we're pretty proud of the numbers we get. From a revenue stand point with mostly adult admissions- CALA training is well worth it. I think your community will be pleasantly surprised with how good Aquafit can be.  Your instructors will enjoy the courses taught by CALA (Shelagh and Charlene are fantastic!) and will be motivated to lead great classes. If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.  Best of luck with your programming.
Sharon Denton
Aquatic Programmer
City of Whitehorse

Tidal Wave CDs
One of your last comments this morning as you were busily getting the weekend conference underway,  referred to the two Tidal Wave CDs you passed on to me.  You said: "I hope you like these "Wow, Charlene Tidal Wave 2 is awesome. I used the first 2nd with my deep water class at Vic Road centre. A pool full of participants, working their butts off not only under my direction but the incredible music which accompanied them. They commented on how wonderful the music was. Within an hour I had my second class arrive - the Easy Movin class - once again a pool full of happy energized elderly participants. I informed them that they were about to be the first class to experience CD number 2 of Tidal Wave 2. These elderly people are very particular about the music they require and they know I have tons of music to suit their needs. I was not sure they would appreciate the CD. Holy Cow !!! CD 2 was just as good as CD 1 - one of the elderly participants commented during the session - " Sil where do you find all the great music you provide for us?" In fact I have at times ordered CDs at their request - I never burn or copy anything. I will be using Tidal Wave 3 on Monday - my morning class and my evening class. It was indeed worth the wait for these CDs You and your staff do an amazing job in selecting music for your Tidal Wave series. The music you select seems to satisfy everyone's needs - young and elderly alike. Thanks again for caring to provide only the best for us. 
Sil Valeriote

Healing Waters Program Testimonial

To the CALA team

After having just completing the evaluation process for the Healing Waters Course I want to thank the whole team for making the experience so positive. Right from the start getting my many questions answered and setting up registration from Ottawa was welcoming and made the decision to go ahead with the course very easy. During the course Linda and Janet were very professional and shared their knowledge on a level that was able to reach all participants. Questions were welcome, practice in the water was well balanced and really helped hit the theory home. We also benefited by sharing the experience of other participants. The course content was informative and will be applicable in both specialty and main stream classes that have varied participants. How fortunate Linda and her team are to have such a great facility to work in. The exam process was again very accommodating, I appreciate being able to write the exams in Ottawa, and have my supervisor act as proctor. This definitely helped complete the certification process in a good time frame. As always this CALA training like past experience has left me with a lot of new knowledge and skill, as well as confirming there is always more to learn and expand on. The addition of the AET text was very helpful as an extra recourse.

In conclusion, thank you to all for being part of "the team" and for providing the education that helps make us better leaders.

Nancy Peever, Kanata, Ontario

Other feedback includes:

• "CALA knows the importance of offering both practical and theory to their courses. The Foundation Course provides you with knowledge needed to conduct safe and effective classes. Participating in the Workshops, Specialty Courses and Conferences, you are able to develop an extensive repertoire of movements and feel confident instructing a variety of classes."
• Charlene after attending one of your sessions your awesome session left the following impression:
  • You display such patience
  • You Greet & Welcome All
  • You smiling often
  • You have excellent eye contact
  • You are charismatic
  • You are helpful & thoughtful
  • You are a people person
  • Your present a very smooth flow of exercises
  • You are expressive
  • You give excellent safety cues and count-down
  • You are enthusiastic
  • You are completely into it
  • You show confidence
  • You use a variety of music integration
  • You were all what a participant whose learning the ropes could expect and more! When I attend a class like yours I try and do so with an "empty mind" - hoping to take in whatever I can from every unique opportunity like yesterday's. 
• Great awesome web page that provides you with extensive information about CALA and their offerings. 
• Love seeing all the pictures that represent the diverse places and groups of people who participate in the CALA offerings.
• "CALA is always there to help you be successful." 
• "CALA immediately makes you feel like a member of the family."
• "Their standards are high but you can be assured your leader knows their material."
• "CALA teaches you how to be an effective and result oriented instructor."
• "CALA offers you so many opportunities to further your development. You are expected to keep your knowledge current by participating in courses, workshops and conferences. We all welcome new ideas for our classes."
• "The quarterly CALA Wavelink (Spring 2003 or Summer 2003) newsletter provides so much useful information on choreography, the body, movements, health issues, upcoming etc. We would be lost without it."
• "When you are CALA Trained you know that your certification is internationally recognized and respected." 
• "CALA is always looking to develop new and exciting courses and workshops that address the populations requirements."
• "CALA members are open to sharing their knowledge and skills."
• "CALA has an open door policy and welcomes feedback from all members."

Testimonial - Ottawa 1 Day Conference

Hi to everyone at the office. 
Thanks for the great effort put forth to provide the training day in Ottawa. The use of the facility was great. There was lots of opportunity to meet other instructors as well as keep everything together in the meeting room, avoiding people being scattered out. Also the space available in the pool was roomy enough that we weren't too crowded and the other people in the pool we shared with were very compatible. At no time did I get the feeling that it was so busy we would get distracted. And I will definitely mention the way the presenters on deck kept everyone focused and connected with the group. The course content was varied enough to give something to everyone which is very hard when you don't have the luxury of offering multiple sessions in each time slot. I just wanted to pass on how much it was appreciated that the event was given and I hope you got the feel that there is both a need and appreciation for these events for such training in our area. 
Thanks again for the commitment by all involved especially Charlene, Chantal, Amanda, Angela, Line, and all the other behind the scenes supporters. Nancy

Aqua Jogging

Aqua Jogging is one of the best forms of exercises for when you are injured I can't say I enjoyed my time in the pool as I was in it so much but the benefits were huge. A lot of 'on camp with Kelly' girls have been doing this over the course of the winter because of injuries but they are all coming out this season flying.

I think it is a great way of keeping fit so try it if you haven't!

Linda Kanninen

Quote from: Dame Kelley Holmes on Water Running.  Kelly (double Olympic Gold Medalist 800 & 1500m  The link is http://www.doublegold.co.uk/

If you would like to have your testimonial listed, contact CALA.