SST

Your ultimate partner for Aquatic Safety Training and Overall Risk Management

13/02/2026

What to say about Thursday at IASS Abu Dhabi, other than there was some M.A.D.ness!!

Sarhece Serna and Roel van den Berk and their team expertly hosted some epic interactive first aid training sessions yesterday. We also moved out of the technical training teachbacks into aquatics leadership sessions via the Ellis and Associates, Inc. vanGUARD program, heard some inspiring true stories from other faculty members and then spent the evening reconnecting with our various different colleagues and companies at dinner.

12/02/2026

Wednesday at IASS Abu Dhabi saw our students start their teachback sessions and refining their technical skill, but also develop their leadership competency and self awareness with a session on emotional intelligence.

Being in a leadership and instructor position is something we see as a privilege, and we’re incredibly proud and humbled by the way every attendee has embraced this responsibility with passion, purpose and pride.

11/02/2026

Yesterday was another great day at IASS Abu Dhabi! Skill review is all completed and today we'll start to see our instructor candidates rocking their teachback sessions.

Let our EAgles Ahmed Aziz and Renee Stewart take you through all that Day 2 had in store for us!

08/02/2026

Its been over 60 hours of planning to get faculty and attendees of 21 different nationalities traveling from 9 different countries to join the International Aquatic Safety School Abu Dhabi 2026!

We saw prophecies from the Order of the PhEANix and soared above the skies with EAgles before retuning to earth to cultivate the lands and harvest with the EA Ranchers. Of course, you can't have park operations without a little M.A.D.ness, so the energy is high and the standards are SET!

Hearing from Jeffrey L Ellis himself was a humbling start to the week ahead, as all of us look to learn, empower and develop ourselves and subsequently our facilities by making a difference.

Here's to a GREAT week ahead - kicking off with pre-reqs tomorrow morning!

Water Safety Products
WhiteWater West
Water Technology, Inc.
World Waterpark Association

28/01/2026

We’re delighted to recognise WhiteWater as a Featured Sponsor of IASS Abu Dhabi.

Their ongoing support of our industry, its people, and the sharing of knowledge plays an important role in the success of IASS.

Thank you, WhiteWater, for being part of this event and supporting our community.

23/01/2026

We are proud to recognise Water Safety Products as our Premier Sponsor of IASS Abu Dhabi!

Their continued commitment to advancing water safety, professional standards, and innovation across the aquatics industry directly supports the mission and impact of IASS on a global stage.

We are grateful for their partnership in helping bring this important event to life. Thank you Water Safety Products!

WhiteWater West
Water Technology, Inc.
World Waterpark Association

19/01/2026

SST was pleased to partner with the team at Dreamland Aqua Park to deliver a focused scanning clinic for their lifeguards.

The session reinforced best-practice scanning principles, practical techniques and situational awareness skills that support early risk identification and effective supervision. Clinics like this are a critical investment in frontline performance, helping lifeguards move beyond routine observation to purposeful, proactive scanning that strengthens overall aquatic safety.

Well done to Asanka Perera, Habib Matovu and the entire team for their commitment to continuous improvement and professional development - thank you for having us!

If you are interested in having one of these sessions for your team, please reach out to your Client Director or if you are a not yet a client facility, contact info@sstworldwide.com mentioning "Scanning Clinic"!

13/01/2026

Thailand has recently experienced severe and widespread flooding, with communities facing significant disruption and ongoing recovery challenges. In moments like these, volunteers supporting rescue efforts can make a huge difference to individuals caught in the devastation.

SST are incredibly proud to recognise Khun Ploy and Khun Chao, two of our ILTP® instructor family from Ramayana Water Park, who volunteered their time, emergency response skills and local knowledge to support affected communities during the response. Their willingness to step forward reflects the quiet leadership and service mindset that sit at the heart of strong safety cultures, and it is a powerful reminder of the impact individuals can have when professional skills are used in service of others.

Read more about their volunteering here - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/thailand-has-recently-experienced-severe-ugcPost-7416796728970043392-1sdf?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAhklTgBbaSG1Vr5leAqGIsWHsrEuzfV9Ao

07/01/2026

Join us in welcoming our final faculty member, Sarhece Serna to the International Aquatic Safety School Abu Dhabi 2026!

Sarhece’s aquatics career started when she was just sixteen. From that lifeguard position at Schlitterbahn Waterpark, she built a remarkable legacy in safety, leadership, and operational excellence. Over two decades she rose to Senior Operations Manager, became an Ellis and Associates, Inc. Instructor and later Instructor Trainer, making a lasting impact on thousands of lifeguards - including countless teams she helped develop through being on IASS Arizona faculty.

In 2024 she transitioned to Client Manager with Ellis & Associates, where she now supports facilities across the US; strengthening partnerships and elevating safety standards. Calm under pressure and relentlessly passionate about safety, Sarhece brings warmth, expertise, and unmatched energy to every classroom.

We’re excited to have her with us in Abu Dhabi for what promises to be a truly unforgettable week.

Water Safety Products
Water Technology, Inc.
WhiteWater West
World Waterpark Association

05/01/2026

2026 starts with a splash - welcoming Roel van den Berk to IASS Abu Dhabi Faculty!

Roel’s career spans over a decade in aquatics, from ILTP® Lifeguard roles at Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach to pre-opening teams at Ferrari World and Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi, earning his ILTP® Instructor License, and leading operations at Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi. He now leads overall daily operations for Water World Ocean Park in Hong Kong, having joined the team there at pre-opening.

As the only Instructor Trainer from the Netherlands, Roel brings a distinctively Dutch perspective to everything he does — blending precision, calm leadership and humour with a deep understanding of building systems and cultures that enable teams to thrive. Lifeguards and colleagues alike love his approachable style, and he’s ready to share his experience and energy with the next generation of aquatic professionals in February.

02/01/2026

Chris Thomas (CT) has spent more than 30 years in the waterpark industry, (starting as many of the best do) as a seasonal employee before working his way through the ranks. His career began at Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, in Texas, and he earned a Bachelors Degree in Recreation Administration from Southwest Texas State, going on to his first full time leadership role in Aquatics at Adventure Landing in Jacksonville, Florida.

Since then, CT has held leadership roles at some of the industry's most recognisable parks; including Splashtown San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Splish Splash Long Island, Raging Waters Los Angeles and more - leading multiple expansions and major slide installations along the way.

You'll now find CT in the deserts of Saudi Arabia as the GM of Aquarabia Qiddiya City; where he is still known for his steady, frontline leadership - and his appreciation of a Wendy's Vanilla Frosty! Listen to hear what the Make a Difference theme means to him.

Water Safety Products
WhiteWater West
World Waterpark Association

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Website

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