USA TODAY

"Once considered niche, infant survival swimming is quickly making a splash as an essential part of early childhood development, and Rebecca Weiner is gaining recognition for her thoughtful approach.  

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children ages one to four, a heartbreaking fact that inspired Weiner to dive into action with Aquafinz Infant Aquatics, Long Island's premier aquatic survival program for children as young as six months. Her mission? Teach littles what most adults never learn: how to survive in water."

July 10, 2025

"As a mom of two young children who love the water but aren’t confident swimmers, I needed answers. I’m a strong advocate for swim lessons and water safety, but sometimes being careful just isn’t enough. 

Rebecca Weiner is the owner and founder of Aquafinz Infant Aquatics®, Long Island’s premier survival swim school. As a certified survival swim instructor, she shares water safety tips and what parents can do if their child ever faces an emergency. (Of course, we all hope that never, ever happens.)"

July 13, 2025

"According to CDC, drowning is the leading cause of death for kids between the ages of 1 and 4. Long Island parents are taking the advice of experts, and getting their kids into the water sooner rather than later as the summer season begins.

Experts say that swim lessons are a vital part of keeping kids safe in the water, along with preventative measures such as gates, fences and alarms around backyard pools.

Just last week, Suffolk County officials announced that drownings had increased 60% in 2024 over the year before."

June 10, 2025

"Rebecca Weiner, owner of Aquafinz Infant Aquatics, which meets in the pool at the Long Island Hilton in Melville, will even have students get in the water fully clothed to practice under those circumstances, as it’s likely they would fall into a pool while dressed in regular clothing, she says. "

July 31, 2024

"Water safety experts, along with Long Island officials, are urging parents and children to practice caution when in or around pools or beaches, especially following a dangerous holiday weekend.

Four people, including two children, died in the past week in backyard swimming pools.

They say teaching kids not to swim alone, assigning a person to watch the water at all times, even choosing a color of bathing suit that is easy to see can make a big difference."

July 8, 2024

"Rebecca Weiner created Aquafinz, a program that teaches children as young as 6 months old "survival swim."

They learn how to float on their back and get to safety. She says they learn competence and confidence to be able to save themselves in a life-or-death situation in the water."
July 3, 2024

"In addition to traditional swim lessons for very young children, there are also "survival" swim lessons.

Rebecca Weiner, with Aquafinz Infant Aquatics, said unlike traditional lessons, survival swim can be taught in weeks.

Survival swim gives them the ability to be on their tummy and then roll themselves independently onto their back to float, rest, and breathe to either wait for help to arrive if they find the water alone or to continue to swim," she said."

May 15, 2024 

"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."

March 18, 2024