In 2000, after a highly successful run in New York City’s fitness industry, Donna Creagh turned her focus to spas. At that time, Creagh was a spa consultant, and one of the few who could take a project from inception through completion. I met her around 2003, when she was working on the construction, design, and programming of New York City’s Great Jones Spa. We connected over a shared passion for water therapies.
With over 40 years of experience in the health and wellness industry—from Junior Olympic medals in swimming to lifeguarding to running a number of fitness facilities, including Equinox and David Barton—her story has come full circle.
Today, Creagh has happily returned to her first love—teaching. Last March, she launched Aquae Sulis Aquatics, naming her new venture for the Celtic deity Sul, the goddess of healing and sacred waters. Creagh teaches survival swimming for infants, toddlers, and those with special needs. Her clients refer to her as their “child whisperer,” because of her loving touch with their children.
What inspired you to launch Aquae Sulis Aquatics, and what are the challenges?
After meeting a grandmother who had lost her grandchild to drowning, I was compelled to use my swimming skills to educate parents and children in water safety. I currently teach from the ages of 16 weeks through adult swimming. Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under five in the United States. Currently, there are between four and five thousand accidental drownings every year. My hope and goal is to teach children how to save themselves using water skills such as floating rest, swimming back to safety, as well as crawling or climbing out of the water.
Communication and education are important tools in mitigating uncertainty and apprehension with parents. I work extensively on educating parents about water safety and defense mechanisms, supervision, and the benefits of installing high pool fences with locks and alarms. I also encourage them to learn CPR, something that I firmly believe everyone should know!
Aquae Sulis Aquatics is named for the Celtic deity Sul, the goddess of healing and sacred waters.
What are the certifications you need to do this, and which ones do you have?
Red Cross Water Safety Instructor and lifesaving certifications, CPR, first-aid, and AED certifications, as well as infant survival skills training. I have all of these certifications.
What’s your best success story?
So far, my greatest success was having a student who was scared of the water who now freely enters the water, swims, floats, and makes his way to safety. Each child moves at their own pace, and creating small achievable goals is key in building trust and confidence. That confidence also translates to many other aspects in life outside of the water. Seeing the light in my student’s eyes and knowing that I made a difference brings me immense joy.
What effect does water and submersion in water, have on the babies?
The effect that submersion in water has on babies can range from fear to total tranquility. Each child can and will react differently. My goal is to adapt how I instruct each child based on their abilities.
Why is it so important to acclimate babies to water?
I live by the motto ‘skills before thrills.’ Children are inquisitive and most are attracted to the water, so it is imperative to teach survival skills so they can have lifelong respect and love for the water. I believe that children should learn how to manage the water safely and have the ability to find air independently before I teach them to ‘like’ the water.
Your spa background complements your swim program, and it sounds like this could be a really beneficial program to integrate into spas and resorts.
I believe that the spa and resort industry could benefit by providing swim programs. My background in the spa industry would be instrumental in organizing comprehensive programs that would serve their community and guests while fulfilling a worthwhile endeavor.
How may readers contact you?
I can be reached at AQUAESULISAQUATICS@GMAIL.COM or by phone at (646) 797-0582.
Mary Bemis
A pioneering voice in spa and wellness journalism, Mary Bemis has spent four decades chronicling, championing, and helping shape the modern spa industry. As Founder and Editorial Director of Insider’s Guide to Spas, she brings a distinctive editorial perspective informed by a career that has helped define the language and landscape of spa media. Mary launched American Spa magazine in 1997, co-founded Organic Spa, and helped launch Luxury SpaFinder and NewBeauty. Her industry leadership extends to board service with ISPA, NYSPA, and WSPA, the latter two organizations she helped establish. She has also served as Special Advisor to the Balneology Association of North America. Today, she serves as Special Advisor to Global Wellness Day and sits on the board of the International Sauna Aid Foundation. Recognized among Medika Life’s Top 30 Influential Voices Transforming Wellness, Mary is also a recipient of the prestigious ISPA Dedicated Contributor Award, an inaugural Folio Top Women in Media honoree, and an American Spa Wonder Woman of Wellness. Her mission remains as steadfast as ever: to keep spa culture alive and relevant, honor its roots, challenge its shortcomings, and inspire an industry to live up to its promise.
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