David Washburn, aquatics director at the Boothbay Region YMCA, is someone who deserves an entire book, but hopefully this article can begin to do him justice. Kind, selfless, and deeply committed to education and safety, David is the kind of person who makes the Y, and the entire community, a better place 

Born in Connecticut, David moved to Norridgewock, Maine, at the age of five and remained there until attending the University of Maine in Orono in 2016. He graduated in 2020 with a degree in civil engineering. During college, he spent his summers as a counselor and lifeguard at the Orono Recreation Center, unknowingly laying the foundation for his future career. 

Looking back, David realized aquatics had always been part of his story. "Lifeguarding and swimming lessons run in my family," he says. "My grandmother, my mom, several of my cousins, and one of my uncles have all been lifeguards. Another uncle even helped develop the YMCA's swim lesson levels, helping better define the progression that's still used today."  

In the summer of 2020, David accepted a position at Camp Knickerbocker, where he says he “fell in love with the place and a person.” Assigned to the same camper group, David and his now-wife, Ashley, began the relationship that would shape the next chapter of his life. In 2021, they welcomed their daughter, Reese. 

After settling in Boothbay, David worked briefly in the Y's FitKids after-school program before accepting a position at Bath Iron Works. Although he valued the experience, he realized he wanted a career that kept him closer to his family and community. He returned to the Boothbay Region YMCA, becoming Aquatics Director in 2022. The role, he says, allows him to be "much more present as a dad" while giving him the opportunity to work directly with children and families. 

As the oldest of four siblings and a lifelong athlete, David has always embraced leadership. Today, that leadership is evident in every aspect of his work. Each year, David teaches roughly 200 people to swim, helping children and adults gain a skill that is especially vital in a coastal community. Swimming is more than recreation. It is a lifesaving skill. 

For David, children’s lessons are particularly rewarding because he gets to “see their progression in the water and how they grow as swimmers.” The impact of his work becomes especially clear when parents tell him that their child stayed calm after unexpectedly falling off a dock or into the water because they remembered what he had taught them. 

His lessons are creative, intentional, and tailored to each swimmer’s abilities. Whether teaching a preschooler or an adult, David’s philosophy is simple: “Meet people where they’re at.” He recalls the excitement of a recent nontraditional student, a 76-year-old woman who proudly passed her swim test after a lifetime of fearing the water. Her accomplishment is a reminder that it is never too late to learn. 

David’s creativity extends beyond swim lessons. From aqua aerobics to youth programs, David’s supervisor, Erin Gray, says he “brings an infectious enthusiasm to everything he does.” His thoughtfully designed lessons keep participants of all ages engaged, and his genuine interest in people helps him build meaningful relationships. Erin adds, “He makes a point of learning the names of everyone who walks into the Bosarge Aquatics Center and creates an environment where every swimmer feels seen, supported, and welcome.” 

Beyond teaching swimming, David is also a trusted safety expert. Certified in numerous areas of emergency response and serving as a local volunteer firefighter, he brings invaluable knowledge to the YMCA. This year alone, he has trained 63 people through Red Cross certification courses, creating a ripple effect that makes the entire community safer. Behind the scenes, he also ensures the Y is prepared for emergencies by routinely inspecting first aid kits and testing the facility’s automated external defibrillators, or AEDs. 

Watching David evolve from a summer counselor at Camp Knickerbocker to leading the Boothbay Region YMCA’s aquatics department has been incredibly rewarding for his colleagues. His passion, creativity, warmth, and unwavering commitment to creating a welcoming environment have made a lasting impact on the Y and the community it serves. 

Whether he's teaching a child to float, certifying a lifeguard, or preparing for an emergency everyone hopes never comes, David approaches every task with humility, purpose, and a genuine desire to help others.