At the YMCA, we believe that water safety is for everyone, because everyone deserves to feel safe, confident, and included in and around the water. This Drowning Prevention Week (July 20-26, 2025), we're proud to spotlight an inspiring initiative led by Lucas De Nooy, Aquatic Supervisor at Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot, that's doing just that.
Lucas has long been a champion of inclusion and safety in the aquatic realm, and this summer, his team is moving towards making swimming more accessible for individuals with physical disabilities. At the heart of his current project is the introduction of adaptive personal flotation devices (PFDs), life jackets specifically designed to support individuals who may have limited neck or core strength, or conditions such as cerebral palsy. These PFDs not only provide physical support but also open the door to exciting first-time experiences in the water.
“These life jackets give people the opportunity to simply be in the water,” Lucas shared. “For someone who lives with muscle tightness or limited movement, floating weightlessly can be a completely new and freeing experience.”
The origin of the project began in Cochrane, where Lucas worked alongside his colleague Tanya Salwach-Hoffert, Certified Aquatic Therapist and Watsu Practitioner. With her deep understanding of supporting individuals of all abilities, Tanya introduced Lucas to specialized PFDs designed for those who may not have control over their neck or core muscles. These life jackets help keep the body upright or gently reclined, offering a safe and comfortable way to enjoy the water. While the PFDs were introduced before Lucas’s time, he brought the idea forward to the YMCA, helping shape more inclusive aquatic experiences for all.
By evaluating the SwimAbilities® programming at YMCA locations like Remington YMCA in Quarry Park and Shawnessy YMCA, Lucas and his team recognized an opportunity to further enhance services for individuals with diverse physical needs. The SwimAbilities® program, developed by the Lifesaving Society with occupational therapy expertise, is designed to support anyone who requires additional assistance in the water—whether for physical, cognitive, or sensory reasons. With help from a YMCA Calgary Strategic Initiatives Grant, the team is now working to bring adaptive PFDs and specially trained instructors to four branches by the fall, including expanded programming in Calgary’s north at Melcor YMCA at Crowfoot and Saddletowne YMCA.
But these PFDs won’t just be handed out, but they’ll be supported through intentional training for instructors and lifeguards, ensuring staff can confidently and safely assist participants and patrons. This opens the door not just for swim lessons, but for building confidence, connection, and community.
“This work builds on itself,” Lucas said. “It starts with equipment, leads to training, and grows into something that touches people’s lives in lasting ways. These moments matter.”
Through this initiative, the YMCA is once again paving a new path, extending the impact of inclusive programs like SwimAbilities®. As Lucas said best: “This is a group that has gone unseen and unheard for too long. And it’s time we make space for them, not just in our pools, but in our communities.”
Thanks to this project, more people will be able to experience the water safely and feel a deeper sense of belonging.