A South African nonprofit that supports young adults with special needs rents out pools to help members cool off

SAN ANTONIO – As many San Antonio area students head back to school, the summer heat continues. Swimming remains a great option for cooling off and having fun, but many public pools are changing their hours, so you may have limited options unless you have a pool.

For the folks at SA Life Academy — which runs a continuous day program for adults with special needs and serves more than 130 families in the San Antonio area — the private pool provides more than just a way to cool off. It allows the group to socialize and have fun without being overwhelmed by a public pool.

“Having the opportunity to come to the pool helps with motor skills and sensory experiences. But more importantly, it allows our group to unwind, relax and enjoy time with friends,” said Abby Inzurriaga, assistant program director and lead teacher at SA Life Academy.

Inzurriaga notes that having access to a private pool is a valuable resource that helps make life more enjoyable for those in their care.

“It’s really helpful that we can have things like Swimply so we don’t have to be at a big, huge pool, which can be very overwhelming for a lot of our adults,” Inzurriaga said. “I can request a time, make sure it’s available, and then just, you know, put in that we’re a special needs adult group. And then it’s literally that easy. It sends the request and then, you know, for that particular location, I usually get a confirmation within about 20 minutes.”

SA Life Academy aims to integrate adults with special needs into the community through various activities, including recreation. Inzurriaga said the Swimply app and website simplify the process, making it easier for groups to access private pools and spend time together.

When asked what his favorite part of swimming with friends was, 19-year-old Ryan Higgins replied, “We shoot water guns, and my favorite part is an inner tube with a few pellets in it.”

Inzurriaga said, “Something we really like to say and our motto is ‘living together,’ because I think that’s what it is,” Inzurriaga said. “By getting our adults out into the community, we’re also showing the community to them, and they’re also showing the community to them.”