Meet our Program Instructors and Directors

Aquatic Mobility Program is a registered non-profit organization operating in Scarborough, Ontario. Currently, sessions are held in the Buckler Aquatics’ warm-water swimming pool.

Aquatic Mobility Program Instructors are trained and certified by WaterArt Fitness International, a leading fitness education and certification organization. Our Instructors hold current Canadian Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certifications, with Defibrillator (AED) Endorsements.

Warm-Water Sessions vary to accommodate the needs of enrolled members. Each Aquatic Mobility Program instructor has their own teaching style and often adjusts lesson plans to meet the needs of the class participants. There is a basic structure for each pool session. Each class begins with simple, slow exercises designed to warm up the body and help participants adjust to the temperature and the feel of moving in water.

Tina Z.
I was a participant many years ago, as I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and eventually with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The exercises in the warm water gave me relief from the pain and helped me keep my range of motion and get stronger. Eventually, I was asked if I wanted to take the course, and I’ve been teaching for over twenty years. It’s very rewarding to see the progress the participants make in taking the Aqua Mobility Program.

Winifred M.
Aquafit exercise has been my go-to fitness for at least 40+years, while raising a family of four children. After surgeries and joint replacements, water workouts helped improve my mobility, balance, flexibility and strength, leading to normalcy in my daily living.  As an instructor, my focus and goals are to help people gain those same positive outcomes.

Shauna v H.
Water has always given me a sense of freedom. Now, as a retired elementary school principal with arthritis, it gives me personal satisfaction to facilitate the relief of pain for members of the community through exercise in warm water.

Let’s keep stronger for longer!

Gemma D S.
My years spent as a participant and then instructor, has not only helped me cope with my arthritis, but enables me to participate every week with people who are on the same journey to heal, to feel good and have fun together.

Aquatic Mobility Program Board Members
Aquatic Mobility Program is a registered non-profit organization. The Program has a long history of providing a warm-water-based therapeutic exercise program for members of the Toronto community experiencing chronic pain.

Shauna Mary van Hoof
President, Board Chair, Program Coordinator, Instructor

Winifred Martin
Board Secretary, Instructor

Tina Zappulla
Treasurer, Instructor

Ronald Francis
Board Member, 2026
“Keep Moving, Keep Moving” is a mantra often given to people as they grow older. Yet, how is this to be done when one suffers from a number of painful comorbidities, including cancer and arthritis? “Exercise in a warm water pool” was recommended. This has been a great relief to me for many years. As a retired professional accountant [FCPA] and professor, with many years of governance in education and health care, it is a joyful privilege and sacred responsibility for me to serve as a Board Member of this organization whose activities provide such enormous benefits to anyone in the arthritis community.

Steven Aprile
Board Director, 2026
The Aquatic Mobility Program allows many seniors to maintain an active lifestyle and make positive contributions to society and their own families.  Such a worthy cause makes it an easy decision to donate my time to this organization.