- November 1, 2024
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Alma Rock-Yanochko grew up a “military brat.” As a result of her father’s service in the Navy, she lived in several states around the country.
She fostered her love for water while living in California and Hawaii.
She swam competitively in high school and also competed in water polo.
When she turned 18, she got involved with the Navy’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation department. Barely out of high school, she was lifeguarding and teaching interested learners how to swim.
“I always swam,” she said. “After that, it becomes a lifestyle.”
Seventeen years later, Rock-Yanochko still loves the water. She turned her intense passion for swimming into a profession. Rock-Yanochko is currently the aquatics and safety specialist for the city of Palm Coat’s Parks and Recreation. Her responsibilities include training life-guards and swim instructors, as well as teaching Parks and Recreation’s staff CPR at the Frieda Zamba Swimming Pool, located at 339 Parkview Drive in Palm Coast.
“Alma is a hard-working staff member who goes
the extra step to help in all aspects of our department’s growth. She has helped tremendously with the growth of our safety and aquatics programs this year.”
Palm Coast Parks and Recreation Director Alex Boyer
In an area bordered by water, swimming is an essential skill, she said.
“At least just learn how to float,” she said. “I think it’s great that they have us training all of Parks and Rec. It’s good that our staff is trained to respond. And you get to know everyone in Parks and Rec.”
Parks and Recreation used to only train lifeguards prior to 2018. But Rock-Yanochko got her certification in water safety instruction so she could start training swim instructors. The department is able to offer more swim lessons, as a result.
The department has more plans for 2019, as well. Something Rock-Yanochko is going to be a part of: a new program called Fitness on the Water. The program involves working out on a tsunami board. In addition, Master Swim is going to be run by the city this upcoming year. People ages 18 and up are eligible to sign up.
In her six years in Palm Coast, there’s never been a serious accident under her watch. But she’s always on the lookout.
“Our job is to prevent accidents from happening. Our staff has done a great job with that,” she said. “But we live around water. There’s drownings. It’s very stressful. There’s a lot of things that can happen.”
Swimming is something Rock-Yanochko is passionate about, and she wants to be involved with it for as long as possible.
“I love aquatics,” she said. “I can’t picture myself outside of it. I just love water sports.”
