Faces of Long Island celebrates the uniqueness of everyday Long Islanders. In their own words, they tell us about their life experiences, challenges and triumphs. Newsday launched this social media journey into the human experience to shine a light on the diverse people of this wonderful place we call home.

‘My true calling is to be in the water, guiding young children on how to navigate it safely and find their way to safety.’

Rebecca Weiner, Dix Hills

“I have had a passion for swimming for as long as I can remember. Even as a young child, my parents called me a ‘water baby’ because once I entered the water, I never wanted to come out. Growing up in Dix Hills granted me the opportunity to be surrounded by water frequently. I started swimming at the age of 2, which ignited an enduring adoration and admiration for the water.

“As I grew older, I immersed myself in the world of competitive swimming. I participated in competitive swimming with both the Suffolk Y JCC Sharks and the Half Hollow Hills swim team, dedicating four rigorous yet rewarding hours to daily practice. During that time, I excelled in the 50- and 200-meter freestyle races, attaining notable times of 0.39 seconds and 1.38 seconds. Despite not clinching the title of fastest swimmer, my main focus is centered around teaching safe swimming techniques to others. Swimming is so much more than beating out the clock; it involves understanding the nuances and techniques that make the sport so special.

“Before I knew it, I was fueling my passion for swimming by teaching others how to swim. After graduating from the University at Albany, I utilized my expertise in business, education and my extensive experience in the aquatic industry and competitive swimming history to create Aquafinz Infant Aquatics. The thought of a child drowning compelled me to continuously enhance my knowledge in the aquatic field and obtain new certifications.

Before I knew it, I was fueling my passion for swimming by teaching others how to swim.

“I realized that the corporate world didn’t align with my passion; my true calling is to be in the water, guiding young children on how to navigate it safely and find their way to safety. Interacting with kids comes naturally to me and brings immense joy. Combining this with my love for the water allowed me to independently build a successful swim business. Working with children in the water has been a seamless fusion of my passions.”

Interviewed by Starr Fuentes

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