When Aqua-Tots Sandy Springs recently opened in Georgia, it became the 13^th swim school that Andrew George, Jesse Rhodenbaugh and Tommy Fisher launched together under the international franchise banner.

Beginning with the introduction of their first Aqua-Tots Swim Schools in Cary, North Carolina, the three co-owners now represent 13 Aqua-Tots locations in Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia. A leader in the swim instruction with more than 135 locations in 14 countries, Aqua-Tots has spent the past 30 years dedicated to providing year-round, indoor swim lessons and drowning prevention education to children from four months to 12 years old.

Over the years, this commitment to excellence has extended from the pool to the facility’s 16 individual changing rooms specifically designed with Scranton Products Hiny Hiders® Partitions. Available in a wide range of colors and textures, Hiny Hiders were developed with a new-world view focused on health and safety. As a result, they are naturally germ-resistant and easy to clean. And in contrast to metal partitions, which can rust and harbor germs, Hiny Hiders offer superior resistance to impact, graffiti, corrosion, mildew and moisture.

“Lesson learned,” said George. “We built several of our initial schools with sheetrock, which did not hold up well in a busy, damp environment filled with children. Consequently, we had to paint the changing rooms at least once a year and replace the clothing hooks regularly since they were constantly pulling from the walls. As a result, we are now in the process of including Hiny Hiders Partitions in the build of our newer schools, while also using them to replace the original metal restroom stalls and sheetrock changing rooms in our established locations.”

“The blueberry colored Hiny Hiders Partitions fit right into the colorful, fun motif of our Aqua-Tots Swim Schools,” explained Morgan Kearney, the Sandy Spring School’s general manager. “They look great and have worn well in each of our locations, which is important because we are constantly wiping them down after use. Despite the daily wear and tear, we’ve never had to replace a single Hiny Hiders Partition. They are stable and durable and everybody loves them.”

Since their introduction, Hiny Hiders Partitions have also become increasingly popular in the institutional marketplace due to their ability to create unique, attractive interior spaces in floor mounted overhead-braced, ceiling-hung or floor-to-ceiling configurations. Another benefit of their solid HDPE plastic material is the ability to reduce regular maintenance and long-term replacement costs given that general soiling can be easily removed with mild cleaner and water.

“I’ve held every role at our schools since we launched our first location 13 years ago,” said George. “We learned very early on that planning is a must, especially in a business so heavily invested in the safety and comfort of children. That’s why we were immediately attracted to Aqua-Tots. Their core values aligned perfectly with our passion for swimming, teaching and protecting the welfare of children by helping them become safe and confident swimmers.”

“We want to immerse everyone into the Aqua-Tots experience as they enter the building,” added Kearney. “So, we created a robust, family-friendly learning experience that everyone can enjoy while learning swim basics and beyond. Fun and safety are the essential ingredients in every one of our schools.”

Aqua-Tots Sandy Springs offers small group, private and semi-private swim lessons in a state-of-the-art, 6,300 square foot facility that’s highlighted by an indoor 90° pool and a lively mix of bright yellows, reds and blues. Other benefits include the instruction of hand-picked Water Safety Instructors (AT-WSI), who have completed 40-plus hours of intensive classroom and in-water training and hold CPR Certification.

‘About our brands” health and safety: https://www.scrantonproducts.com/better-safety/