28 MAY 2018 By Mallory Gleich B ob and Kathy Hubbard have been a part of the swimming community since they were kids, and are now in their 20th year of teaching swim lessons at Hubbard Family Swim School. The couple moved to the Arcadia area in the early 90s and taught at the Phoenix Swim Club. In March 1998, they decided to branch out and start their own swim school. For over a year, the couple garnered business wherever they could, teaching at apartments, at The Village and at Kachina Country Day School. After a year and a half, they were able to open their first location in O c t ob e r 1999. Located at 32nd Street and Thunderbird, the couple started their business with just three other teachers. In 2007, they opened their second location in Peoria, and in 2010, their third location in Mesa. Now, Hubbard has grown to more than 160 employees with 80 more added during the summer. “We both grew up aquatic. We both swam well, dove; we raised our kids to start swimming at a young age as well,” Bob said. Kathy grew up in Cincinnati and was a part of the competitive swimming community. She competed in the Olympic swimming trials in 1968 and also placed second and third in the NCAA Championships during her college years. Bob, who grew up in New York, spent his summers as a lifeguard on the Atlantic. He met Kathy at Xavier College in Ohio. Bob went on to law school and Kathy became part of the swim retail world. “In the 70s and 80s, we were part of the corporate world, and in the 90s we had a life change and decided to become part of the Phoenix Swim Club,” Bob said. The pair decided to continue to their love of swimming, and Bob became director of the Phoenix Swim Club in Arizona in 1985. Kathy joined in 1993 to help with swim lessons. They also got involved with the U.S. Swim School Association. After spending some time on the competitive circuit at the Phoenix Swim Club, Bob and Kathy were ready to try their hand at building their own swim school. That was 20 years ago last March. “This milestone is exciting. It’s a good time to reflect and think about the journey we’ve been on so far,” Bob said. Bob and Kathy have eight children, five of which live in the Arcadia area. The oldest, Annmarie, is the chief operating officer and has worked at Hubbard since her high school days. Her husband Pat is director of operations. Another son-in-law is the IT and branding director and his wife helps Kathy with child development. “One of the ways we share our success is by staying in contact with the families who come to Hubbard,” Bob said. “We like to share stories of what we’ve done and what the company has done in the past 20 years.” There are almost 15,000 people and families who are a part of the Hubbard community. Hubbard Family Swim School celebrates 20 years Hubbard Swim School owners Bob and Kathy Hubbard make it a point to keep in touch with the nearly 15,000 people and families who they’ve taught over the years. “One of the ways we share our success is by staying in contact with the families who come to Hubbard.” HAPPY HOUR DRINK PRICING ALL WEEKEND ARTFUL FOOD | PRIVATE PARTIES | DOG-FRIENDLY PATIO NEWLY REDESIGNED SPACE WITH A VIEW Love + Local KITCHE N 56 .COM • 56 th AND INDIAN SCHOOL WALK OR BIKE IN FOR DISCOUNTS LUNCH | DINNER | LIVE MUSIC | SAT-SUN BRUNCH

29 MAY 2018 “Part of the biggest thrill is showing parents that kids are capable of doing things that they never thought they could do,” Kathy said. “We are truly humbled by the opportunities we have with these kids.” The pair won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the U.S. Swim School Association recently, the first to ever receive it. They’ve also won a Guiding Light Award. In the very near future, Hubbard Swim School plans to open its fourth location. “We don’t have any plans to celebrate,” said Bob. “For now, we’re just enjoying the ride.” SUMMER POOL SAFETY TIPS By Mallory Gleich With the weather warming up quickly, summer pool fun is closer than we think! Kathy and Bob Hubbard share their tips for staying safe in and around water. “The number one rule always, always, is to have a gate around your pool,” Bob says. “That one is obvious, but always true.” With this rule comes the “Safer 3s” model, which is safer water, safer kids and safer response. Always double check that your pool gate is locked. Also, make sure that the gate is tall enough that children cannot reach the gate latch. Make sure to always have a water watcher and a phone nearby. A water watcher is someone who is always keeping an eye on the people in the pool. “When everyone is watching, no one is watching,” Bob says. Pick someone, preferably an adult, to continually watch over the pool and rotate between adults every ten minutes or so. Have a water watcher key, such as a lanyard or a whistle, to remind yourself who the water watcher is. Make sure that your child knows to never go in the pool without asking first. Practice patience and teach your child to play and wait until you are finished getting ready (towels, sunscreen, etc.) before they enter the pool. Another rule that Bob and Kathy teach is to count before kids enter the pool. Get into the pool before your kids and ask them to count to three before they get in. When kids are getting into the pool, teach them to jump in and then swim to the wall right away. Also, it’s safer to jump in feet first or body facing the water. Make sure they jump with their toes on the edge to make sure they’re close to the water. Keep rescue equipment nearby, such as a shepherd’s hook and a life preserver, in case of emergencies. Also, avoid inflatable swimming aids like floaties. They tend to give children a false sense of security and seem like a substitute for supervision, which is not the case! “We have seen young children run and jump into a pool and then struggle and need help. They forgot that they took their floaties off and they did not know how to swim independently,” Kathy says. Last, but certainly not least, never swim alone! Have a safe and happy summer by following these simple rules for pool safety. Several members of the Hubbard family work full-time running, expanding and promoting the company, which employs 160 people and adds 80 more for the summer season. Anna McDowell-Isaacson 602-526-1213 AnnaMcDowellRealEstate@gmail.com www.AnnaMcDowell.com ABR, CRS, GRI Anna McDowell-Isaacson Anna McDowell-Isaacson 602-526-1213 602-526-1213 AnnaMcDowellRealEstate@gmail.com www.AnnaMcDowell.com www.AnnaMcDowell.com ABR, CRS, GRI Anna McDowell-Isaacson Anna McDowell-Isaacson AnnaMcDowellRealEstate@gmail.com AnnaMcDowellRealEstate@gmail.com www.AnnaMcDowell.com www.AnnaMcDowell.com Exquisite remodeled home on 1.3 acres. Tennis court and parking for 7 cars. 5409 E. CAMELHILL ROAD • $1,495,000 • 5 beds/5 baths, 5200 s.f. Spectacular historic restored classic adobe compound with detached guest house and bonus/game rooms on stunning 3/4 acre grounds. JUST LISTED Charming storybook home w/ incredible high end finishes on a quiet street close to Hopi Elementary. SALE PENDING Wonderful updated ranch on 19,000 s.f. lot w/chef’s kitchen and guest house 2 blocks from Hopi Elementary. 4102 N. 52ND STREET • $1,295,000 • 4 beds/3 baths, 4400 s.f. NEW PRICE SOLD 5415 E. CALLE VENTURA • $1,489,000 • 4 beds/4 baths/1 office, 3200 s.f. Providing Arcadia with professional & personalized service for over 20 years. 6515 E. LAFAYETTE • $2,950,000 • 4 beds/4baths/2 offices, 6047 s.f. Stunning yet warm quintessential Arcadia home with the finest classic finishes. SOLD 5407 E. CALLE TUBERIA • $2,245,000 • 5 beds/5 baths, 4400 s.f.