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About One with the Water

We are a community of people united by our love of swimming. Together, we are working to share the wonders of swimming
WITH EVERYONE.

We believe that everyone deserves access to the lifesaving skill of swimming, especially children and adults with high risk, high needs, and limited resources.

Our Vision

According to the CDC drownings are a leading cause of injury death for young children ages 1 to 14, and nationwide three children die every day as a result of drowning. In fact, drowning kills more children ages 1-4 than anything else except birth defects.

We’re here to change that.

Beyond The Pool

One with the Water swimming lessons are taught using growth-mindset techniques. We witness transformative miracles in our students, both in and out of the water, as they shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset.

People with a growth mindset learn to love challenges, are intrigued by mistakes, and intentionally seek out new challenges. They have learned that their circumstances matter less than who they are.

What would be different in your community if more people loved seeking out new challenges to overcome? What problems would go away? How many lives would be improved?

Our Story

One with the Water, a 501(c)3 school, was founded in 2011 by Coach Kenneth Rippetoe with the mission of providing greater access to the lifesaving skill of swimming. We have a twofold approach to achieving this goal.

First, we offer premium swimming lessons to all children and adults at competitive rates. Included are specialty lessons for all special needs, service-disabled veterans, and adaptive athletes.

Second, we offer need-based scholarships for premium swimming lessons to all regular and special needs students and low-income families. Donations, grants, and paid swimming lessons make these scholarships possible.

We have helped thousands of people become One with the Water and have provided over 1000 scholarships, helping those with the highest needs and risk learn to swim.

Our Heroes

Our students are our heroes! We especially admire our special needs swimmers and adaptive athletes. Watching them face their fears and be courageous and resilient in the face of significant challenges is indeed an honor. Their grit, tenacity, and perseverance are a genuine inspiration to us. We have the best job in the world!

Our Instructors

We are staffed by professional swimmers, expert competitive swimmers, and former Olympians. We are lead by our Founder,  Executive Director, and Head Coach Kenneth Rippetoe. Kenneth has a Level 4 Disability Certification with the American Swimming Coaches Association and has trained with Kahlon Family Services and Inizio Interventions to help children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other special needs. We believe that everyone deserves the very best in swim instruction. That’s what we work to bring.

Our Future

Moving forward we will continue to passionately complete our core mission of providing access to the lifesaving skill of swimming to everyone, especially children and adults with high risk, high needs, and limited resources.

We will continue to realize our vision of bringing One with the Water to communities across our nation. We have launched our first affiliate in Central Wisconsin and look forward to many more.

If you would like to help us in our mission please donate.

We Are Accepting Positions for Lifeguard and Swim Instructors

©2024 One with the Water. All rights reserved.
We are a Westside Regional Center vendor. Any appeals or questions may be submitted to the California Department of Developmental Services or by calling (916) 654-1987.
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