Trainers
Melynie Wright
A Red Cross Certified Water Safety Instructor, Melynie swam competitively at Robert E. Lee High School and through Junior AAU Swimming. After swimming and diving with the Baton Rouge Country Club, she finished her swimming career as a walk-on for Louisiana State University Swim Team.
Melynie is an active swim instruction for water babies, adults as well as individuals with special needs and First Responders. She is also a coach for the Belle Terre Piranha Littles and assists with water aerobic instruction.
Throughout her life, Melynie has been an advocate for water safety and instruction. An active community member, she volunteers whenever needed in order to impact her community and improve the health and well-being of children. Seven years prior to starting Louisiana Splash and Water Safety, she served as the coordinator for the St. John Parish Learn To Swim Program. The program provided free swimming lessons to 40 children and 150 adults.
A member of the LaPlace Lion Club for over 10 years where she served as a board member and Vice President, Melynie also served on the board of the Library Board of Control and is a current board member of the St. Charles Parish Pact. She volunteers for the Greater New Orleans Therapeutic Riding Center and Special Angels Outreach Center.
Anita Hefler
Anita Hefler is an American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor. This certification is the gold standard and provides the most comprehensive training for swim instructors. In addition, she is an American Red Cross CPR/First Aid/ AED Instructor.
She has taught swim lessons to able-bodied and differently-abled individuals as well as water aerobics for almost 20 years throughout the greater New Orleans area and St John the Baptist Parish.
Anita is a former Adapted Physical Education teacher, and also runs a small nonprofit therapeutic riding center for children and adults with disabilities in LaPlace.
Partnering with Walmart, Louisiana Splash and Water Safety, set up an information table to spread the word about water safety!