Aquatics Only

Aquatic facilities are more than pools. They are community infrastructure, water safety environments, health and wellbeing spaces, employment hubs, teaching venues and public assets. In this episode of Aquatics Only , Luke Daly and David Stennett explore the pressure currently sitting around aquatic facilities, councils, operators and communities. The conversation begins with an industry round-up,...

What does play have to do with aquatics? More than you might think. In this episode of Aquatics Only , Luke Daly sits down with Lukas Ritson from Wearthy to unpack why play, confidence, challenge and connection matter so deeply in a child’s development and why that should matter to every swim school, aquatic facility and industry leader. Lukas, known for his work around the ecology of play , bring...

Alright, we’re back on the mic. It’s been… longer than planned. Let’s call it a “quarterly release schedule” and move on. 😅 In this episode, Luke and David kick off with a proper catch-up, a few laughs, and a small detour into David’s latest life update and his ongoing journey to actually learn to swim. Then we get into the stuff happening in the industry right now. There’s new drowning data out...

In this episode of Aquatics Only , Luke sits down with Ben Wilkins , founder of Good Boost and one of the global leaders pushing the boundaries of aquatic rehabilitation. From Atlantic City to the UK to Australia, Ben has been championing a simple but powerful idea. Water works. And with the right technology behind it, it can change lives at scale. Luke and Ben unpack how AI-driven aquatic rehab i...

After a short “fortnight,” David and Luke are back in the saddle. We unpack the seasonal switch-on across Australia, celebrate a rare “on time, on budget” pool upgrade, and run through a few notable industry moves.  Luke recaps SPARK, the joint ASSA x ARI NSW conference and we touch on recent Swimposium and global events on the horizon.  We finish with a level-headed take on Royal Life’s latest dr...

Talking Crap, Crypto & Clever Design with Lesley Beech from Splash About In this jam-packed episode of Aquatics Only , Luke flies solo (with David off enjoying Bali) and welcomes the show’s first international guest. Lesley Beech, Managing Director of Splash About, joining from the UK with a glass of Savvy B in hand. From morning sunrises in Brisbane to dusky evenings in Yorkshire, this global...

In this podcast episode, Luke Daly interviews Shane Vardy from Atlantis Liquid Dynamics, discussing the importance of local manufacturing in the aquatics industry, innovative designs for splash pads and aquatic facilities, and the technical challenges involved in creating engaging water experiences.  Shane shares insights into various projects, the creative inspirations behind them, and the engine...

Luke Daly and David Stennett are back together on the mic for a jam-packed episode covering everything from iconic pool project blowouts to the rising tide of aquatic aggression. They dive into: – The $64 million North Sydney Pool drama – Sea hare invasions and $2 swims in Newcastle – Real talk on infrastructure, investment and innovation – Harassment stats making waves across lifeguard teams – Ne...

In this engaging podcast episode, Luke Daly interviews John Harker, a professional commentator and swimming leader, discussing the evolution of swimming in Australia, the importance of coaching, and the legacy of Forbes and Ursula Carlile. They explore the challenges of bridging learn-to-swim programs with competitive swimming, the need for better infrastructure, and the joy of swimming as a lifel...

In this episode of the Aquatics Only podcast, David Stennett and Luke Daly discuss the importance of development in the aquatic industry. They dive into a recent visit to the Royal Life Saving Infrastructure Symposium in Melbourne, highlighting key takeaways and lessons learned. They also explore the role of swim schools in the broader aquatic ecosystem, touching on infrastructure, staff challenge...

In this episode of Aquatics Only, host Luke Daly speaks with Sarah Morgan from Bespoken Agency about her journey from journalism to marketing, the importance of swimming as a life skill, and the need for better storytelling in the aquatic industry. They discuss the alarming statistics regarding swimming skills among children in Australia and the role of media in shaping public perception. Sarah em...

David and Luke are back, and let’s just say—it’s been a wild ride. From braving the unexpected forces of nature to discovering some surprising things about aquatic facilities , this episode is packed with stories, insights, and a few unexpected twists. They also dive into a new event in the industry—one that’s all about leadership, connection, and the future of aquatics . What’s Inside? 💨 The mom...

In this episode, David Stennett and Luke Daly discuss various pressing issues in the aquatics industry, including youth behaviour at pools, the challenges faced by iconic swimming facilities in New South Wales, and leadership changes within the Swimming Pool and Spa Association. They also highlight the global movement of Pool Horizons and upcoming events aimed at promoting water safety and communi...

Luke Daly and David Stennett are back and ready to dive into a new year! In this Season 2 premiere, they reflect on five years of podcasting and share updates on their latest adventures, including their "Sip and Swim" tour of Brisbane's City Council pools. Along the way, they explore the quirks and history of local facilities, highlight Royal Life Saving Australia's "Keep...

In this episode, hosts Luke Daly and David Stennett celebrate the 10th episode of the podcast, reflecting on their journey and the community they're building. They discuss the upcoming summer season and initiatives like the $2 swim program in Brisbane, as well as industry insights including a major conference collaboration and investment trends in the aquatics sector. The importance of patent...

In this lively episode of Aquatics Only , David and Luke bring you a jam-packed session from the Kawana Aquatics Center on the Sunshine Coast. Join the duo as they banter about the end-of-year rush, dive into water safety with legendary swimming coach Laurie Lawrence and his daughter Emma, and explore the Kids Alive Do The Five campaign. With insights on community swimming initiatives, an exclusiv...

In Episode 8 of the Aquatics Only podcast, hosts Luke Daly and David Stennett dive deep into the world of aquatics with special guests Michelle and Brooke from LARCAN. Continuing the discussion from the previous episode on the "Four F's" of form, function, feasibility, and future, the team explores the complexities of aquatic facility design, management, and community impact. Michel...

In this episode of Aquatics Only, hosts David Stennett and Luke Daly discuss Luke's inspiring recovery journey after a serious knee injury, leading to a successful 100K bike ride. They introduce the 'Four F's of Aquatics'—filters, flips, fun, and flops—while exploring the importance of community facilities and future planning in aquatics. The conversation shifts to industry new...

Hosts: David Stennett and Luke Daly Topics covered: Recent events in the aquatics industry: ARV in Victoria, South Australia's aquatic event at the SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre, and more. Career insights: The importance of lifeguard roles and career pathways in the aquatics industry. Discussion on safety: Chemical handling risks, the importance of facility management, and recent incidents, i...

Join Luke Daly as he interviews Emily Bower, General Manager of Ampd Academy, in this episode of Aquatics Only Podcast . Emily discusses her career journey from school-based trainee to running a leading Registered Training Organisation in the aquatics industry, all while managing the demands of raising two young children. The episode highlights key challenges in the industry, from evolving trainin...

In this episode of Aquatics Only, we dive into the world of aquatic sports and inclusivity with two engaging interviews. Our first guest is Matthew Haanappel OAM , Paralympic gold medalist and aquatics manager. Matthew shares his personal journey, his experiences in the Paralympics, and his work promoting inclusivity within aquatics. The second half of the episode features Declan Gillard- Martin ,...

In this episode, host Luke is joined by Martin Sheppard, co-founder and owner of the National Sports Convention, and a veteran with over 45 years of experience in the aquatics and recreation industry. Martin shares his extensive background, starting as a pool lifeguard in the UK to managing multiple leisure facilities across Australia. Together, they discuss the recent ARNA meeting and the crucial...

Welcome back to Aquatics Only, the podcast dedicated to all things aquatics! In our second episode, hosts David Stennett and Luke Daly dive deep into the expansive world of aquatics, exploring everything from the industry's definition to its most intriguing dynamics. We kick off by clarifying what the aquatics industry truly encompasses, with the help of ChatGPT. David and Luke then take us o...

Thanks for listening to Aquatics Only. If you’re in swim schools, aquatic facilities, lifeguarding, learn-to-swim, programs, products, or anything water safety related, you’re in the right place. Subscribe so you don’t miss an episode, and if this one was useful, share it with someone in the industry. Want to get involved or have a guest/topic suggestion? Reach out: aquaticsonlypod@gmail.com