The Cape Coral Yacht Club Community Pool has received a 5-star rating from Starfish Aquatics Institute, an independent auditor for aquatic facilities. A 5-star rating is the highest rating an aquatic facility can receive for aquatic safety and lifeguard performance.

“Very few aquatic facilities qualify to receive this honor,” said Leslie Donavan, president of SAI in a prepared statement released by the city Thursday. “This rating represents a tremendous commitment to safety and training, and exceptional performance by the lifeguard staff on duty at the time.”

SAI conducted an unannounced performance audit of the facility’s lifeguards and management staff on Wednesday, June 6. The local lifeguards who contributed to achieving the 5-Star award included Ricky Wetherbee, Jonathan Delgado, Jonathan Angelo, Logan Skipper, Nicholas Azzilonna, Nico Sharashenidze and Stephanie Pedroso.

“The safety of our visitors is our No. 1 priority at our facilities, and I am very proud of our team and this award,” said Parks and Recreation Director Steve Pohlman in the statement. “The credit goes to our manager Barbara Dickinson and her professional staff who work every day to make the Yacht Club experience safe and enjoyable.”

SAI is one of the largest lifeguard, swim instructor and pool operator certifying agencies in the United States. The Institute offers state-of-the-art training courses and provides services such as performance audits to the aquatic industry to improve safety and reduce the risk of drowning.

The Cape Coral Yacht Club is an independent Training Center for Starfish Aquatics Institute and, as a Training Center, they must participate in the Institute’s Star Review risk management program. The Yacht Club Community Pool is using the StarGuard Lifeguard Certification program, and the Starfish Swimming Instructor Certification program.

Source: City of Cape Coral