We sat down with Rob, one of Sydney's leading Aqua instructors, to learn more about his unique journey into the world of Aqua Aerobics and Group Exercise, his teaching philosophy, and his passion for building a strong community within his classes.

Rob has been teaching Aqua for 15 years, but his path to becoming an instructor was far from typical.

Originally working in the corporate world, Rob made the bold decision to transition into the health and wellbeing industry - a move he has never regretted.

R: "I was in IT, and I just never looked back once I moved into group exercise," he recalls.

Rob's dedication to improving people’s health and wellbeing is evident in his personal achievements as well. He started his journey by losing 52 kilos through daily BODYPUMP classes, an experience that profoundly impacted his teaching approach. It was an easy transition to begin teaching as a BODYPUMP instructor.

Aqua classes first caught Rob’s attention due to the high demand. Curious but initially sceptical, he decided to give it a try. However, his first impressions were less than enthusiastic.

R: "I did the training, but I found it wet, cold, boring, and honestly, I didn’t enjoy it at all," he admits.

He completed the Aqua module, attended six classes, and had to write about his experience, but found the classes basic and repetitive, where he spent more time watching the clock than watching the class.

However, everything changed when he attended a class led by Dina, who would later become his mentor.

R: "I found Dina and thought, ‘OMG, this is what I’ve been looking for!’"

Dina's dynamic teaching style reignited his passion for Aqua, and he knew he had found his calling. Although Dina eventually moved into a corporate job, her influence on him was profound, shaping the type of instructor he aspired to be.

He began his Aqua career at the City of Sydney's Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre and Cook + Phillip Park Pool in 2007. Today, Rob teaches an impressive 30 classes a week across various City of Sydney aquatic centres, including Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre, Victoria Park Pool and still to this day, Ian Thorpe Aquatic Centre.

Rob's classes are anything but ordinary. He has introduced innovative elements like Aqua HIIT, attracting a younger audience in the evenings, and even incorporating battle ropes into the pool workouts.

R: "Aqua isn’t just for older people," Rob emphasises. "I program classes so everyone can work at a rate that’s comfortable for them, but also keep up, making it inclusive for all."

A key aspect of Rob’s teaching is his commitment to variety and creativity.

"I need to change the choreography - a different class every day. I program 10 different classes a week, and it’s become second nature now," he explains.