Cartagena, Colombia August 26, 2025— The recent Back2theWaterTM has been hailed as a
resounding success after guiding participants from fear of the water to confident swimming in
just three days of intensive instruction.
All attendees arrived hesitant—even fearful—of stepping into the pool. Under the careful
tutelage of our professional swim instructors from Medellín, goals were conquered, fears were
replaced with confidence, and every participant departed with the skills to swim safely.
“This retreat was about more than just learning to swim—it was about overcoming fear,
building resilience, and discovering joy in the water,” said Diamond Crystal, founder of
Back2theWaterTM. “We are incredibly proud of what these women accomplished in such a short
time.”
The instructors themselves were equally inspired by the experience. “It was incredible to
witness such a transformation in just three days,” said Mariana Pulgarin, professional swim
coach and proprietor of LaMar Natación, Medellin. “Our goal was not only to teach swimming
techniques, but also to build trust, reduce fear, and show participants that the water can be a
place of freedom and joy.” Swim instructor Laura Pulgarin, LaMar Natación, adds “It was
teamwork. The participants were willing to trust us, to try new activities every class, and that
made all this wonderful experience possible.”
The elder of the cohort, Wendy Kyles shares: After having had four previous unsuccessful
attempts to learn to swim, I was very pleased to finally conquer my one persistent hurdle,
swimming across the pool in deep water. The instructors were so very patient with all of us,
giving gentle nudges of encouragement at every turn, and making the experience tremendously
positive. We were always surprised at what had been accomplished after just one lesson. I am
forever grateful for the experience and wholeheartedly recommend the retreat for all who carry
generational fear of the water.

The retreat also placed a strong emphasis on mindfulness and embodiment practices to help
participants remain calm, centered, and connected in the water. “My role was to help
participants build confidence through mindfulness, movement, and embodied practice. By the
end of the retreat, women who arrived hesitant were standing taller, breathing deeper, and
entering the water with trust in themselves and their own bodies.” — Briana Thomas
The impact of the retreat extends beyond the pool as participants reported feeling more
empowered, confident, and eager to continue building on their new skills.
To continue this life-changing work, Back2theWaterTM is now seeking sponsors and community
partners to support next year’s retreat. With additional resources, the program aims to expand
access, reach more individuals, and make water safety skills available to all who need them.