Coach Kenneth and his certifications

Coach Kenneth, has been a lifeguard and taught swimming since the age of 16. His love of the water and helping others learn to swim is a passion you will see in his teaching. He started swimming competitively at the age of 13. Kenneth competed in intercollegiate swimming at John Brown University and he is a 1993 All-American, as a member of the 4 x 200 yard Freestyle relay team. As a U.S. Masters swimmer, Kenneth set a FINA Masters World Record in the 4 x 100 short course meters relay, December 2009. Kenneth has 14 U.S. Masters Top Ten swims. He has worked as a swim instructor and lifeguard for over twenty-five years. He specializes in proper conditioning, training for longevity, and living a healthy lifestyle.

Coach Kenneth has attended training sessions on working with kids with Autism and Asperger's Syndrome, and other special needs with Kahlon Family Services and Inizio Interventions, in order to provide applied behavior intervention to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Additionally, Kenneth has attended teacher training sessions with World-renowned Shana Meyerson of mini yogis® yoga for kids and taught and coached with Swim with Heart, a local Santa Monica special needs swim team.

Kenneth is a very active member of the swim community and spends most days being "One with the Water." If he is not training, coaching, or competing with the local Masters swim team, he is teaching or lifeguarding. He is coached professionally by former U.S. Olympian Rada Owen. He continues to work on his technique taking lessons with Coach Chris Pelant.

Coach Kenneth, originally from Texas, started "One with the Water" in Southern California. He comes to SoCal via New York, through Spain, Bolivia, Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas. Kenneth studied mechanical engineering and has worked over 15 years as a mechanical engineer. He has a Masters in Business Administration from Columbia College.

Kenneth has lived in Bolivia, Venezuela, and Spain, working as a volunteer for "sponsor-a-child" programs which provide education to children in developing countries. The projects he participated in gave sponsored children and their families opportunities to participate in skills training or livelihood initiatives, so that they could begin to rely less on sponsorship, and more on their own abilities to provide for their families, creating an educated path out of poverty. This mission aligns with Kenneth's philosophy and integrates him as a perfect match for "One with the Water." He lives to help others achieve their dreams and believes that the pool is a magical place that levels the playing field… swimmers understand that they can do anything that they put their mind to, and become "One with the Water."

Certifications held by Coach Kenneth

American Swim Coaches Association (ASCA):
- Disability Certified Swim Coach: Level 3
- U.S. Masters Certified Swim Coach: Level 2

American Red Cross:
- First Aid for Public Safety Personnel (Title 22)
- Lifeguarding & First Aid
- Water Safety Instructor (WSI)
- CPR/AED for Lifeguards (Adult, Child, Infant)
- Administering Emergency Oxygen

As a lifeguard, Kenneth attends training sessions on a monthly basis to stay current with all of his certifications.

Press Release: 26 June 2012
One with the Water® has been selected to participate in the Sundance Channel's documentary, "Push Girls." Sundance Channel is producing a new documentary, "Push Girls." Previously, "Murderball" provided a look into the harsh world of wheelchair rugby. "Push Girls" will provide a glimpse into the world of beautiful women who are living with paralysis in Hollywood, CA.

"The indomitable spirit of this series will give viewers permission to observe a world that until now they may have been too polite or too frightened to explore. The Sundance Channel will allow the "Push Girls" to convey the stark reality of their lives."

Kenneth Rippetoe, Executive Director of One with the Water®, will work with Mia Schaikewitz to reach her watery goal. Mia is a reflective, beautiful woman who was once a competitive swimmer. In "Push Girls" she will attempt to swim for the first time since high school. Kenneth will be coaching and working with Mia to help her become a competitive swimmer again.

"I am delighted to work with Mia," said Mr. Rippetoe. "It is known that water heals and that with each stroke she will be building strength. I am sure that Mia’s experience in the pool will be a rewarding one. I look forward to the experience as I am always eager to teach the value of swimming."

Click to learn more about Push Girls. To assist us in providing lessons to others like Mia, please consider a tax-deductible donation to One with the Water®.

- Coach Kenneth Rippetoe & "Push Girl's" Mia Schaikewitz