DB Perks Young Professional Aquatics Award

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Nominations are open now for the 2025 DB Perks Young Professional Aquatics Award!


The DB Perks Young Professional Aquatics Award shines a spotlight on rising stars in aquatics. Presented every two years at BCRPA’s Ripple Effects Aquatics Conference, this award honours young professionals whose talent, drive, and leadership potential are set to make waves in the field of aquatics for years to come. 

Eligibility Requirements: 

The Award Nominees must show a commitment to aquatics leadership that supports cultivating vibrant, active, and inclusive communities where everyone thrives. 

Nominees must meet the following criteria: 

  • Are between the ages of 18–30, 

  • Are currently working part-time or full-time for a BCRPA member organization, and 

  • Must have a minimum of two years' employment in the aquatics sector. 

About the Award: 

The recipient of the Aquatics Youth Award will receive:  

  • $2,000 

  • A complementary registration to the two-day Ripple Effects Aquatics Conference (November 19 & 20, 2025) 

  • A stunning tabletop award for display 

  • A speaking opportunity at BCRPA’s 2025 Ripple Effects Aquatics Conference 

We thank DB Perks and Associates for their generous support of this award that recognizes the positive contribution young professionals have on aquatics in BC.

Please complete this application form to register your nominee for the DB Perks Young Professional Aquatics Award. 

Nomination Process: 

Nominations received will be evaluated by a BCRPA committee based on the selection criteria. BCRPA will inform the nominator and the successful recipient of the selection outcome. The award winner is expected to be available to receive the award at Ripple Effects on November 19, 2025. 

Submission Deadlines and Important Dates:  

  • August 27–September 30 – Call for nominations 

  • September 30, noon – Submission deadline 

  • End of October – Nominees informed of results   

  • November 19 & 20 – Ripple Effects Aquatics Conference 

2023 Award Recipient

2023 – Wyatt Kupferschmidt, City of Parksville

Aquatic Award Carousel Wyatt 2023

Wyatt Kupferschmidt, from the City of Parksville, was awarded the 2023 DB Perks Young Professionals Aquatics Award during BCRPA’s Ripple Effects aquatics conference, October 20, 2023, part of the first ever Active Professionals Conference. 

Wyatt is a full-time Aquatic Team Leader at Ravensong Aquatic Centre, who has been delivering high quality aquatic services to communities in the Oceanside area of central Vancouver Island in this role since November 2021.

Wyatt is a natural leader who has made a significant impact in the field by advancing aquatics safety, as a positive role model within his team, and through his extensive volunteer roles through his aquatics career. 

Read the complete media release here.

 

Past Award Recipients

2021 – Jessica Portsmouth, City of Cranbrook

Jessica Portsmouth, from the City of Cranbrook, was awarded the 2021 DB Perks Young Professional Aquatics Award during BCRPA's Ripple Effects aquatics workshop, November 24, 2021.

Jessica has demonstrated exemplary leadership within aquatics and as a community member. Through her drive to spearhead new initiatives, act as a mentor, engage her community in aquatic opportunities and trainings, and dive into leadership roles whenever asked, Jessica is a highly deserving recipient of this year's DB Perks Young Professional Aquatics Award.

Watch the full video presentation of the 2021 DB Perks Young Professional Aquatics Award here.

2019 – Annika Dixon-Reusz, City of Rossland

The BCRPA DB Perks Provincial Aquatics Youth Award acknowledges the outstanding achievements of an emerging leader in the early stages of their aquatics career. This new award offered for the first time this year, recognizes youth with the traits and skills required to hold a leadership position in aquatics, and who shows promise in continuing to make an impact on the sector.