Ross Mooney, Owner of AquaSafe Programs, Inducted into Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame

AquaSafe Programs’ owner and former University of Rhode Island Division I Swimmer, Ross Mooney, was inducted into the Rhode Island Aquatic Hall of Fame at their annual induction ceremony on Saturday, May 10 at the Quonset “O” Club in North Kingstown, Rhode Island.

Mooney began his competitive swimming career in Rhode Island at the age of five with the East Bay Aquatic Club, before swimming for the East Providence High School class of 2002. He led his high school team with multiyear All-State swims in 100-yard butterfly, 50-yard free, 200-yard IM and 100-yard butterfly. Upon graduation, he accepted a scholarship to swim with the University of Rhode Island Rams.

Shortly after college, Mooney began competing again. From 2006 to 2014 he set New England Masters records in 100-yard breaststroke, 50-yard breaststroke and 50-yard butterfly, and earned multiple top ten United States Masters swims including 2nd in 50-yard butterfly (22.94), 18-24 age group.

Aside from swimming competitively, Mooney has held multiple coaching positions over the years. He began his coaching career at the North Kingstown High School under the leadership of Matt Emmert before moving on to coach for the Andover/North Andover YMCA, YMCA of the North Shore, Little Rhody Aquatic Club, Envious Swimming, and Bulldog Aquatic Club. During his time coaching with Envious Swimming, he also established and coached a SWIMRI workout group at the Cumberland High School.

Mooney acquired AquaSafe programs in 2023, and has since expanded it from its original location in Sandwich, Massachusetts to six locations throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The company offers group and private swim lessons for children and adults of all ages and abilities. Their competitive division, the FireFish Swim Team, is a USA Swimming team offering year-round professional coaching and technique instruction, and their FireFish Masters workout group is a United States Masters Swimming group.

While AquaSafe’s motto is to “focus on safety, fun and fitness”, Mooney’s true passion and personal goal is to teach people—especially children—the water safety skills that could save their lives.

“I want everyone to learn to swim and be safe in the water, regardless of their circumstances or abilities. No matter your age or body condition—you can always swim” said Mooney.

Mooney currently resides in Rhode Island with his wife and three children, and continues to swim competitively for United States Masters Swimming, just recently leading his FireFish Masters workout group at the New England LMSC and Colonies Zone Short Course Yards Championship swim meet at Harvard University’s Blodgett pool.

Learn more about AquaSafe Programs and how Mooney is continuing to expand its programming and locations at AquaSafePrograms.com.