I’m Kara Gibler. I grew up on Oahu’s Windward side in Kailua, where water was not only a part of life—it was life. From paddling outrigger canoes and training as a junior lifeguard to working with Hawaii’s keiki (young children) in school settings, I’ve always been immersed in the lessons that water teaches us. My background in Communication Sciences and Disorders gave me insights into how children learn and thrive, and I discovered the transformative power of infant self-rescue lessons when I watched my son flip, float, and wait safely at just six months old. Through my life and professional experiences with water, I’ve learned the do’s and don’ts as well as the why and how to keep us safe, thriving, and skill-building in and around water.