AZ Riptide is partnered with SWIMkids USA, a company that has been saving lives and developing champions since 1971.

The owner, Lana Whitehead has authored several swimming books, articles, videos, and has lectured internationally and nationally for professional education and swim forums.

Mrs. Whitehead received a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Physiology and a Masters in Special Education, specializing in Sensory Integration and training children with disabilities, including signing to the deaf. She holds Arizona and California Teaching Certificates and is a member of the American College of Sports Medicine. She has certified in American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor, StarGuard Lifesaving, CPR and First Aid for the Professional Rescuer and YMCA Adaptive Swimming Instruction.

Lana has been a competitive swim coach and served as a State and National USA Swimming Official. She and her coaching team continually strive to meet higher standards in the industry by attending numerous training workshops and seminars at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, U.S. Swim School Association and the World Aquatic Baby Congress. In 2012, she was inducted into the U.S. Swim School Association's prestigious Hall of Fame, in 2018 won the G. Harold Martin award from the International Swimming Hall of Fame, and in 2021 won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the United States Swim School Association among many other awards.