Niko Saito
2012 Virginia Hunt Newman International Award Recipient
presented May 11, 2012 at the International Swimming Hall of Fame
Ft Lauderdale, Florida USA

Niko Saito is among the first to introduce baby swimming in Japan. She studied baby swimming with Ester Williams and Crystal Scarborough in Los Angeles in the 1960s then established her own program for babies, young children, and pregnant women under the name Saito Aquatic Academy in Nagoya, Japan.    

In the years following, she put a title to her aquatic instruction philosophy and methods calling them “Aquamics”. This system makes use of the water and rhythm to help children develop mentally as well as physically. Class activities pair swim activities with other learning and child development activities. 

Live music flows as a musician plays a special keyboard poolside during classes. Students focus on special cards called “Pettanco” as they learn their colors, shapes, and musical notes as they also move about and swim around the pool. Songs are sung to the happy music, games are played among parents and their children, and toys grasp the attention of even the unsure student. There is plenty of pleasant stimulation for students during their Aquamics class.

Aquamics has brought forward in Japan the use of aquatic activities including baby swimming as a beneficial part of early child development.  A child’s physical development as well as his or her personality and vitality can be enhanced by participating.  

Niko has authored numerous books.  She wrote Baby Swimming (1976) which received designation as a “Book of the Year” by the Japan Library Association. She authored Baby Swimming and Maternity Swimming (1987). She is also a respected author of history books in Japan – she has 10 to her credit!   

Niko has made presentations at scholastic meetings and conferences including the Japan Physical Pedagogical meeting, the Pediatrician Symposium for Pediatric Sports, and several times at the World Aquatic Babies & Children Network conferences. 

As a youth, Niko was a competitive swimmer and held a Junior National Freestyle record in Japan.  She earned a degree in nursing which has help in working with handicapped children in the pool as well with those with conditions such as asthma and autism.  She earned a Graduate degree from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the Nagoya City University.

Niko has always had an affectionate way of teaching. Virginia Hunt Newman, an ISHOF Pioneer in baby swimming, said, “Aquamics is a brilliant way to teach babies and young children with care and gentleness.”    ∴