Making a Splash with Rishona Hyman of Aqua Essence Swim Academy

“This is where the magic happens.”

These few words hand painted by Winnipeg artist Kal Barteski on a wall at Aqua Essence Swim Academy carry a lot of meaning at this full-service swim space located in Winnipeg’s Kenaston Common.

The brainchild of founder Rishona Hyman, a.k.a. “the Head Fish,” Aqua Essence is Manitoba’s only private swim school that has a pool with a deep end. This distinction is one of the many reasons more than 1,700 students a week – ranging in age from four months to adult – take lessons here, gaining confidence in their swim abilities and to thrive in other areas of their lives.