.
.
.
.
• 2025•
Neva Nicole
Host
Joyful Waters is an emotionally safe,
readiness-based swim teaching method.
Do you teach the Joyful Waters Way?
So many instructors already teach with connection, emotional safety, and presence — without realizing it.
Want to know if you naturally align with the Joyful Waters philosophy?
Take the Self-Check Quiz
https://form.jotform.com/253439150225048
Explore tools and teaching resources created to support emotional-safety-first swimming.
Joyful Waters Instructor Certification
A structured, developmental training pathway that ensures instructors truly understand how to teach using the Joyful Waters philosophy.
Joyful Waters Workshops
- Workshops may include:
- Live demonstrations
- Instructor coaching
- Emotional-safety drills
Using the Joyful Waters Curriculum?
If you are using the Joyful Waters curriculum — as a parent, instructor, or program — we invite you to complete two short, free forms that support a national effort to better understand early aquatic experiences and water readiness.
Participation is optional, free, and helps strengthen aquatic education and drowning-prevention efforts nationwide.
Before Joyful Waters Begins
This short form is completed before starting Joyful Waters.
This short form is completed before starting Joyful Waters.
It helps capture:
- Prior water exposure
- Comfort and readiness indicators
- Learning environment and supports
After Joyful Waters
This form is completed after participating in Joyful Waters.
It helps capture:
- Changes in comfort, breathing, and floating
- Voluntary movement and calm recovery
- Parent confidence supporting water skills
• 2000 •
When Neva Nicole entered the aquatic world.
1999
Received Lifeguard Certification
2000
Acquired YMCA of the USA Swim Instructor Certification
2005
American Red Cross Lifeguard Instructor
2022
Established Georgia Swim School LLC
2024
Georgia Swim School LLC grew into Camden County with two locations: Wreckreation Scuba and St Mary's Aquatic Center
2025
Founded Safe Shores Georgia. Georgia Swim School LLC grew into a contract with the City of Jesup and Greater Atlanta Water Safety Alliance. Partnered with Wesley King as the Co-Host for Navigating Neva.
From YMCA Marquee to Lifeguard Legacy: Neva Nicole's Journey on the Deck
Neva Nicole lived in South Florida with her parents. One day, they drove by the YMCA, and the marquee outside read 'Lifeguard Training' with details. Her dad offered to sign her up for the class. Before the course was over, she interviewed with the Aquatics Director and was promised the job if she successfully completed the course. She did, and that was in 10th grade. Since then, she has enjoyed every moment of life on the deck.
• 2000 •
A love for water, A passion for teaching
As Neva Nicole sat in the lifeguard stand watching the water, observing swimmers, seeing different strokes, and watching others teach lessons, she found herself in her boss's office saying, 'I want to do that'—teach lessons. She shadowed some of the instructors and then completed the YMCA of the USA Fundamentals of Swimming, Parent and Child, Preschool Aquatics, and Children and Adult courses. She later acquired her American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification and has enjoyed teaching everyone from infants to the elderly. Her favorite classes are for adults, preschoolers (ages 3 to 5), and those with fear and phobia of water.
