Seeing nerves turn into progress is a career highlight for aquatic programmer, Krysta Pigden. Whether it’s an instructor she’s mentoring or a swimmer learning a new skill, watching someone’s confidence grow in the pool is always rewarding.
For Krysta, that growth begins with inclusion – ensuring everyone feels they belong by leading with empathy, listening without making assumptions and recognizing that every family has a unique story.
She reflects: “Inclusion is something that’s always been personal to me. My dad has lived with an acquired disability since 1999, and growing up, I watched him advocate for accessibility in our community.”
Read on to learn more about Krysta motivations and the impact she makes in her role.
Can you tell us a little about yourself and your journey at Holland Bloorview?
My journey at Holland Bloorview began in 2014 as a swim instructor and lifeguard after completing my Recreation and Leisure Studies degree at Brock University. Since then, I’ve taken opportunities that led me to British Columbia (recreation therapist at a long-term care facility) and Australia (nanny), but each time I was drawn back to Holland Bloorview. I returned as an aquatic programmer in 2015 and again in 2018, where I’ve remained ever since. What keeps drawing me back is the people. The support, friendship and shared passion of colleagues like Wendy Harris and Christina Neumann, along with the children and families we serve.
Can you tell us about your role as an aquatic programmer? What does a typical day look like?
We often say that we wear many hats in the pool, so it’s hard to describe a “typical” day. My day usually starts with opening the pool, followed by administrative work like answering emails and returning phone calls. Depending on the day, you might find me lifeguarding an aquafit class or staff noon swim, teaching a parent and tot class or leading our integrated education and therapy swim program. A large part of my role is training, mentoring, and supporting our swim instructors/lifeguards, so they feel confident providing safe, inclusive and high-quality programming.
How does the aquatic program uniquely support children and youth with developmental, medical and behavioural needs?
Our aquatics program is designed with accessibility and inclusion at its core. Unlike many community swim programs, we offer priority registration for individuals with disabilities.
In our group lessons, we use a variety of communication supports, including visual schedules, as well as adapted equipment such as lifejackets, flippers, neck rings and specialized water chairs. And at the end of every session, instructors complete detailed notes, that way the next instructor understands the swimmer’s communication style, learning preferences, behavioural strategies, and overall, what has worked well.
In addition to group swimming lessons we also support many of the hospital’s inpatient and outpatient programs such as Get up and Go, neuromuscular and inpatient hydrotherapy.
How have you seen aquatic programming evolve during your time here?
I’ve seen our aquatic programming evolve to become even more family-centred, and responsive to the needs of our community and the range of abilities we see. I’ve also noticed a greater emphasis on staff developments and creating an enhanced participant experience. For example, we continue to enhance staff training by collaborating with Extensive Needs Service (ENS) to update our training materials to meet the needs of our clients.
Operationally, we’ve also had to adapt to challenges like staffing shortages. Through the Emerging Leaders Program, I developed a project called “Building a Sustainable Recruitment Strategy” to attract more qualified aquatic staff and strengthen our applicant pool. It reinforced that sustainable, high-quality programming depends not only on what happens in the pool, but also on the strategies that support it behind the scenes.
What are you most proud of when it comes to mentoring and supporting swim instructors?
One of the most rewarding parts of my role is watching their growth over time. It’s exciting to see where their careers and lives take them next. Often, we run into former swim instructors who are now in roles such as physiotherapy, nursing or therapeutic recreation at the hospital. It’s a reminder of the impact that our mentoring can have beyond the pool.
Can you share a memorable experience or success story that highlights the impact of aquatic programming?
One swimmer who has been with us since 2022 has a genetic condition that affects their physical abilities. One of their goals was to swim five metres independently – a requirement to complete the Splash 1 level. Over the years, our instructors have tried many different teaching strategies and adaptations, and recently we found a modification that finally clicked and they were able to reach their goal!
Seeing a swimmer achieve something they’ve worked so hard for is unforgettable and often brings tears to my eyes. We never give up on our swimmers – we focus on their strengths, celebrate every success, and continue adapting our approach until we find what works.
What would you say to someone considering a job at Holland Bloorview?
If you’re passionate about helping kids be kids and creating opportunities for them to challenge themselves, build confidence, and discover their strengths, Holland Bloorview is an incredibly rewarding place to work. Every child is unique and being part of a team that celebrates their abilities while helping them achieve goals they may not have thought possible is truly special.
What is something colleagues might be surprised to learn about you?
When I was younger, my older brother convinced me that sharks could somehow make their way into the pools, lakes, and even up bathtub drains. I was absolutely terrified of the water for many years. It’s a funny family story now, and I like to joke that it’s probably one of the reasons I learned to become a fast swimmer.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I love being active – swimming, running, biking, yoga are my go-to activities. Even better is ending one of those activities with a visit to a local coffee shop. I’m also a big music fan and love going to concerts. This year I picked my guitar back up after letting it collect dust for almost 10 years, and my favourite concert of the summer was seeing Mumford & Sons.
