Aqua-Leisure Honored as a 2026 Baby Safety Alliance® Awards of Excellence Finalist

September 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Finalists Represent the Year’s Most Exciting Baby & Children’s Products

Stoughton, MA — Aqua-Leisure is pleased to announce the Aqua Kids® Pool Cruiser™ Baby Float is a finalist for the 2026 Baby Safety Alliance Awards of Excellence, which honor some of the most exciting new baby and children’s products on the market today.

The Aqua Kids® Pool Cruiser™ Baby Float is a finalist in the Play/Entertainment category.

The Baby Safety Alliance Awards of Excellence recipients raise the bar by offering parents breakthrough products that help safeguard and care for baby.

The Aqua Kids® Pool Cruiser™ Baby Float was selected as a finalist for its innovative approach to a baby’s first water experiences, combining ergonomic support, caregiver visibility, sun protection and developmental play in one thoughtfully designed product. Since its launch in summer 2024, the Pool Cruiser has helped families introduce babies ages 3 to 18 months to the water in a comfortable, engaging environment that promotes early water confidence and positive parent-child interaction.

"We are proud to be named a finalist for the Baby Safety Alliance Awards of Excellence," said Carmen Evola, CEO of Helio Outdoors®, the platform company that includes Aqua® and four other high-powered outdoor recreation brands. "The Aqua Kids® Pool Cruiser™ Baby Float represents our commitment to developing products that make water experiences safer, more engaging, and more enjoyable for families. This recognition is especially meaningful because it highlights the balance of innovation, developmental benefits, and caregiver-focused design that guided the product from concept to launch.”

Award winners are selected by an esteemed lineup of judges, including top names in media, retail and safety, in eight distinct categories.

Three additional top awards will be selected, “Parents’ Pick”, “Best in Show”, and “Innovation.” Parents’ Pick is chosen by parents across the country. We are proud to be participating in the Parents’ Pick competition, and voting is open from August 24 through September 13 at:

https://www.babysafetyalliance.org/page/parents-pick

“The Baby Safety Alliance Awards of Excellence are a testament to the level of innovation in our industry,” said President of the Baby Safety Alliance, Michael Dwyer. “This year’s finalists have made important advancements in quality and safety for baby and children’s products that will help make parents' lives easier and give them added peace of mind.”

Winners will be announced at the Prego Expo on September 19, 2026, in Phoenix, Arizona. 

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ABOUT AQUA-LEISURE

Aqua-Leisure creates high-quality outdoor products designed for fun and relaxation. Through its Aqua® brand, the company offers a wide range of innovative and family-friendly solutions, including pool floats, watersports gear, and swim education products. Aqua's products encourage active lifestyles while providing comfort and enjoyment in the water.

ABOUT HELIO OUTDOORS

Helio Outdoors is a platform of high-performance outdoor recreation brands committed to making it easier for people to get outside and stay outside. With a focus on quality, comfort, and accessibility, Helio Outdoors develops gear that supports everyday adventurers and growing communities of new participants. Its portfolio includes Aqua, Airhead, Inyo Pools, Pureline, and Yukon Charlie’s.

ABOUT THE BABY SAFETY ALLIANCE® AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

The Baby Safety Alliance Awards of Excellence recognizes the products, services, and solutions in the prenatal to preschool market and serves as a key fundraiser for the Baby Safety Alliance’s philanthropic arm, Baby Safety Foundation, which supports better outcomes for infants and toddlers. Initiated in 1989, the Awards of Excellence (formerly the JPMA Innovation Awards) is the longest running product competition in the baby and children’s industry.

Media Contact:

Stephanie Bolio

Senior Marketing Manager

Helio Outdoors sbolio@heliooutdoors.com