SST, Office 508 The Dome Tower, Cluster N, JLT, Dubai (2025)

19/12/2025

And with that, the SST and Ellis and Associates, Inc. 2025 Instructor Classes come to an end!

Our final instructor class for 2025 concluded yesterday in Dubai. An all star faculty lined up includ@_reneestewartt and along with new and renewal instructor candidates from multiple client facilities.

The threat of a storm didn't stop this group from learning, laughing, encouraging and empowering each other. Huge thanks to Renee and Drea for leading the way, to both Wild Wadi Waterpark and Atlantis Dubai for hosting and to all the attendees for their energy, passion and commitment to hashtag !

If you're looking to become an E&A instructor and already work at a client facility, head on over to Pectora and sign up for IASS Abu Dhabi. If you are not yet a client facility, send an enquiry to our team via this form https://wkf.ms/4kQl8VP so that we can get you sorted.

18/12/2025

While the Scholarship committee are having a tough time selecting the winning applicant, we have another of the 2026 faculty here to share their thoughts on IASS Abu Dhabi's theme, "Make a Difference".

Travis Richardson has been making waves in aquatics for over 15 years, starting as a lifeguard at Wet’n’Wild Gold Coast and moving through leadership roles at Sea World, Wet’n’Wild Sydney and beyond.

A long-time supporter of the Ellis and Associates, Inc. ILTP®️ program, Travis was one of Australia’s first instructors and has delivered training across from Hawaii to Abu Dhabi. He contributed to the Australian textbook, helping bring real-world first aid and operational insight into classrooms and shares his expertise with the next generation of aquatic leaders; setting the bar for safety and training worldwide.

Now Director of Operations at Raging Waters Sydney, Travis combines his operational expertise, international know how, and a people-first approach to oversee daily park operations, supporting teams locally and abroad, helping people and parks thrive - making sure the work is engaging and meaningful along the way.

18/12/2025

An all star line up of faculty for our final instructor class of 2025: featuring hummus, hip hop moves and an awful lot of humor, so far they’re rocking it!

15/12/2025

You know the dates, you know the location, you've met the IASS Abu Dhabi school directors and so now its time to start meeting the faculty for 2026! Being invited to the IASS faculty is a mark of trust and we are pleased to share that Aundrea Nieto will be joining us again, this year to Make a Difference.

Drea has been part of the waterpark world since 2006, and has become the go-to person for making things run smoothly and making people feel supported while doing it. From her early years at Wild Island in Nevada to Roaring Springs in Idaho, she found herself leading operations and training teams at the world's largest waterpark, Aquaventure World at Atlantis Dubai. Drea has built a career around helping people and parks thrive, most recently playing a central role in opening the Grand Hyatt Dubai waterpark, supporting multiple departments with everything from training, recruitment and operational setup though to launch.

More than just an operations pro, Drea brings heart to everything she does. She’s taught with Jeff Ellis & Associates International Aquatic Safety School in the US and Abu Dhabi, served as Vice Chair of the World Waterpark Association’s Education Committee and holds an Ellis Instructor Trainer certification. Outside the parks, she lifts heavy things at the gym, enjoys a true crime podcast, crushes video games and enjoys every minute with her partner and their miniature dachshunds.

12/12/2025

As we sit and sort through our scholarship applicants, as we book the bus transport and we finalise our swag designs, please be reminded that the discounted rates for hotel rooms during IASS Abi Dhabi are only available up until Thursday 18th December 2025!

Don’t pay more than you need to - get your spot at IASS Abu Dhabi confirmed by registering on Pectora, then follow the steps to book your hotel room at Novotel or Ibis Abu Dhabi the Gate for a sweet cheap rate!

Please take note that SST are not handling the hotel bookings for you; details for booking are available in Pectora, your Client Director communication or if you are stuck, please reach out to info@sstworldwide.com

08/12/2025

Continuing the run up to IASS Abu Dhabi, school director Juan Richards gives us his take on this year’s theme: Make a Difference. And if there’s anyone qualified to talk about doing that, it’s the man who’s spent nearly 30 years proving that a successful waterpark operation is operational excellence with a good sense of humour.

Now serving as General Manager of Waterparks for Dubai Holding Entertainment, Juan leads Wild Wadi while managing upcoming DHE projects (exciting things are coming soon!). Before joining DHE, Juan spent three years at Atlantis Dubai guiding Aquaventure, Dolphin Bay, The Lost Chambers Aquarium, and resort recreation - supporting more than 900 colleagues daily and opening the world’s largest waterpark and first ultra luxury experiential resort Atlantis the Royal as if it was just another Monday.

With nearly three decades of experience, Juan’s journey spans Disney’s Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and River Country; senior leadership at Palace Entertainment; and global consulting with Ellis and Associates, Inc. across 200+ aquatic facilities. He’s also a proud Legacy Associate with E&A. Through every chapter, Juan has stayed grounded, collaborative, and genuinely people focused: qualities that make him not just respected, but one of the industry’s true favourites.

01/12/2025

We’re back with another of our IASS school directors, Lois Robbins, to continue exploring the Make a Difference theme.

Differences can be made as large crashing waves or small ripples here and there - you can be a General Manager and able to execute big change, and you might be a frontline team member who makes smaller, daily deposits. Both make meaningful difference to our teams, our facilities and our overall mission of .

Get registered by speaking to your client director today or sign up directly via Pectora!

27/11/2025

Ready to race through the waves again? Upgrade your skills to the latest ILTP® instructor certification? Spend time learning with the best in the industry and meet new connections who are equally passionate about the mission of ?

Registration for IASS Abu Dhabi is OPEN and the discounted room rates at the hotel are still available - grab them before they are gone! Head to Pectora or contact your Client Services Director to secure your seat at IASS Abu Dhabi 2026.

Not yet a client facility? No worries - our team can get you sorted before February rolls around; just fill in this linked form and we'll be back in touch https://wkf.ms/4kQl8VP 😃

Our "Pay it Forward" scholarship in honour of Vera Solis is still accepting applications - if the financial commitment is something you need help with, take a look at our previous posts and see if you're able to apply.

Any other questions, or you ready to sign up now?!

24/11/2025

6 days left to apply for your chance to attend the International Aquatic Safety School 2026 on a fully paid scholarship basis!

We’re proud to honour the memory of Vera Solis, an incredible leader who believed teaching was a privilege. If you’re a current or future leader who would love to spend a week learning from some of the industry’s finest, meeting new people and being inspired, check out the details below.

One deserving applicant will have their tuition paid in full, the cost of a shared room and 3 meals per day covered, and, if needed, an economy fare round trip air ticket. Literally, all you need to do is showcase your passion for the industry and demonstrate a commitment to “pay it forward”.

Submit the following to info@sstworldwide.com before the 30th of November 2025 to be considered:

1) a 500 word essay detailing your experience so far to the industry, what you’ve done to make an impact and how attending IASS will help you with this in future
2) a reference from someone in the industry who can attest to your efforts and commitment to , with empathy, integrity and a passion for teaching
3) confirmation from your manager that if you are selected, you’ll be released from duty to attend 🙂

17/11/2025

Here's a face that many of you will know!

We're excited to share that Jinith Dharmendra has attained Instructor Trainer status - well done!

Currently working in Hong Kong, Jinith calls the ILTP® "the best" program he has worked with. Being an instructor trainer is a responsibility and commitment to upholding the highest standards, but also, to mentoring and developing the industry that is coming behind you.

Thank you Jinith for sharing some of your IT experience - and for keeping it real!

Was Jinith a part of your career journey? Do you have a story or memory or word of encouragement for him? Drop a comment below and celebrate his accomplishment with him!

14/11/2025

11 day countdown til teams battle it out in the Wild Wadi Waterpark GCC Lifeguard Invitational!

We're proud to support the second of these fun but challenging skill scenarios - making sure that our lifeguards are -ready (always), connect with and learn from our fellow facilities in the region, AND just have a whole lot of fun.

Will we see YOU there?!

13/11/2025

Ready to make new connections and deepen the existing relationships you have in the industry? The International Aquatic Safety School offers you formal certification, leadership development and the best networking opportunities with people from Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong, Riyadh to Sydney and just about everywhere in between!

REGISTRATION IS ACTIVE NOW in Pectora and the discounted hotel rooms are only available for another few weeks, so make sure you are getting everything lined up for your spot to be secured!

Exclusive to our client facilities, if you need more information or want to find out about making your facility a partner, please send us a contact request by clicking this link: https://wkf.ms/4kQl8VP

February 8th - 13th, 2026: The Best Week of The Year 🧡💙

SST

19/12/2025

18/12/2025

18/12/2025

15/12/2025

12/12/2025

08/12/2025

01/12/2025

27/11/2025

24/11/2025

17/11/2025

14/11/2025

13/11/2025

Address

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share