Westly Tupa

Position: Aquatics Director

wtupa@houstonian.com
713.685.6709


Bio

Westly is a Houston native and was raised in Clear Lake. He is the second born of five children, and in 2014, he graduated from the University of Houston with a B.S. in Criminology.

While in college, Westly worked as an Aquatics Supervisor and Recreation Specialist for the Clear Lake Community Association from 2011 - 2016. Wanting to broaden his skills in customer service, he joined the Houstonian Aquatics team in 2016 as a Head Lifeguard. He fell in love with The Houstonian's genuine commitment and dedication to providing exceptional service to its Members and the community, and it was then that he knew he wanted to pursue a professional career in Aquatics.

 In 2017 he was hired as the Aquatics Supervisor for the City of Abilene and was responsible for overseeing the start-to-finish project, Adventure Cove & Castaway Cafe. He created operational policies and procedures, hired and trained an Aquatics Coordinator, Cafe Manager, over 70 lifeguards, and 20 food service workers, and also coordinated aquatics programs and events. While in Abilene, he found a new passion for event planning, and in 2017 founded Anime Sekai, the first Gaming and Anime Convention in Abilene, TX, from 2018 - 2023.

Trying to get closer to his roots and family back in Houston, he became the Aquatics Supervisor for the City of Bellaire from 2018-2023, overseeing two pool managers, one swim lesson coordinator, ten swim instructors, 15 head lifeguards,100+ lifeguards, and was additionally responsible for all aquatic programs and operations. Under his leadership, his staff was awarded the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award in 2022. He has conducted many notable aquatics events within the City of Bellaire, with the most recent one ending in May, the annual 100 Mile Swim Challenge. He looks forward to bringing some exciting new programs and events to The Houstonian, as well.

 Westly is an American Red Cross Lifeguard, AED, CPR & First Aid Instructor, ARC Instructor Trainer, and Certified Pool Operator. He is passionate about water safety, water aerobics, swim lessons, and creating fun/challenging aquatic programs for Members to enjoy.

Outside of work, he enjoys playing pickleball and sand volleyball, with fitness and nutrition also being very near and dear to his heart. Westly has won 2nd & 3rd place titles in middle-weight bodybuilding at the NPC Ronnie Coleman Classic - 2012 and Branch Warren Classic - 2012. He loves embarking on mountain trails, kayaking and camping, and recently became interested in snowboarding.