(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) is pleased to announce that its president and CEO, Sabeena Hickman, CAE, has been elected to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) Board of Directors.

NDPA’s mission statement is, “United, we can prevent the tragedy of drowning.” Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children ages 1–4, and number two for children up to age 14. NDPA says, “Not one more drowning.” It works closely with families who have lost loved ones to advocate for safer aquatic practices and provides a wide range of resources on drowning prevention.

Hickman joins seven other outstanding individuals on the NDPA Board of Directors who work in different parts of the pool industry, healthcare, and emergency services. Together, this group is committed to expanding and promoting NDPA’s lifesaving work.

Hickman was selected in part due to her work in expanding the Step Into Swim initiative and her belief that those working in the pool and hot tub industry should take a lead in drowning prevention efforts.

“As an alliance, we want to make sure that all facets of the pool and hot tub industry are included in the discussions about water safety,” explains Dr. Adam Katchmarchi, Executive Director, NDPA. “There is a close connection between NDPA and PHTA and what we’re both trying to achieve with water safety. We are pleased to have Hickman’s voice on our board to represent the industry. Also, on an individual level, Hickman’s nonprofit and association management experience will be incredibly valuable to our organization.”

“I am honored to serve on the NDPA Board of Directors,” says Hickman. “Drowning prevention should be top of mind for everyone in the pool and hot tub industry. We have a commitment to not just manufacture, build, or service pools and hot tubs, but to educate the public on using them safely. We can all play a role in preventing drownings and saving lives.”

To learn more about NDPA, visit ndpa.org.

For more information, please contact Janay Rickwalder, PHTA’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, at jrickwalder@phta.org or 703.357.3918.

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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with nearly 3,500 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $36.5B pool, hot tub and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge and profitability. Additionally, PHTA facilitates the expansion of swimming, water safety and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.

(LAS VEGAS, NV) September 14, 2021 – Float Like A Duck™, a water safety initiative presented by Paragon Pools in Las Vegas, NV received a grant from Step Into Swim, the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) drowning prevention initiative.  The grant funds of $5,000, will be utilized in a collaboration with Float Like a Duck and the YMCA of Southern Nevada’s Safety Around Water Program.

“We would like to thank the Step Into Swim Champions Board for recognizing the value of our Float Like A Duck- water safety initiative and our partnership with the YMCA of Southern Nevada – Safety Around Water swimming program,” states Joseph Vassallo, CBP president of Paragon Pools and founder of Float Like A Duck. “We are very excited to receive the grant of $5,000.00. Many at-risk youths in the community will benefit from the grant funding by participating in the program at no-cost to the students.”

Since 2016, Float Like a Duck and Paragon Pools has supported the YMCA’s Safety Around Water with funding to provide support for the program that provides no-cost swimming classes to the Las Vegas community.  To date close to 1,200 children have been enrolled in the program.

“Paragon Pools’ commitment to drowning prevention and water safety education with the Float Like a Duck program is inspiring,” said PHTA Vice President of Partnerships and Development Rowdy Gaines. “Through programs like this, Step Into Swim can get closer to achieving its mission of creating one million more swimmers!”

The Y’s Safety Around Water Program teaches children of all ages and from all backgrounds that water should be fun, not feared. It is designed to reach children at-risk of drowning and teach them basic water safety skills.  The 8-session course takes children through a series of swimming and safety classes to prepare them for fun and safe water activity. The program is provided at no-cost to the participants.

Families interested in learning more about the YMCA of Southern Nevada– Safety Around Water program may contact the YMCA at (702) 877-9622. Step Into Swim, an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), has recently distributed $99,590 in grant funds to 22 facilities across the country, reaching 6,297 children.

About Float Like A Duck™

Founded in 2003, Float Like A Duck™ is an award-winning public service water safety initiative created by Paragon Pools of Las Vegas with a mission of “Educating the public on the importance of safety while celebrating the joys of water sports.” The initiative focuses on ENFORCING the ABC&D’s of water safety, with a BIG emphasis on A-adult supervision. This program has been recognized by the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition, Nevada Governor’s Points of Light Awards, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, and the National Water Safety Congress. Paragon Pools is a partner with Pool Safely, National Water Safety Month and the National Drowning Prevention Alliance and is a member of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA). FMI go to https://www.paragonpoolslv.com/float-like-a-duck

About the YMCA of Southern Nevada

Established locally in 1944, the YMCA of Southern Nevada is a 501c3 nonprofit and is one of the longest-serving and most-respected organizations of its kind in Las Vegas. The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 22 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. https://www.lasvegasymca.org/  .

(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) Board of Directors has made the unanimous decision to hold the 2021 World Aquatic Health Conference (WAHC) in a virtual format only, in the interest of public health and safety. WAHC 2021 will now be presented as an entirely virtual event on December 7-9.

“Earlier this month, PHTA surveyed registered and potential attendees and speakers to understand attendee sentiment regarding WAHC,” said PHTA President and CEO Sabeena Hickman, CAE. “The results of these surveys showed that the audience’s risk tolerance was rapidly diminishing for an in-person event. So, due to the continued spread of COVID-19 and the danger of the Delta variant, we felt it was in the best interest of our speakers, attendees, and sponsors to move to a virtual format once again.”

All current registrations will automatically transfer to the virtual event, which will offer 36 on-demand educational sessions that attendees can view at their own pace. All sessions will be available for 30 days after the event, giving attendees time to earn the maximum amount of CEUs.

Please visit wahc.phta.org for the most up-to-date schedule of events.

For more information, please contact Janay Rickwalder, PHTA’s Vice President of Marketing and Communications, at jrickwalder@phta.org or 703.357.3918.
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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with nearly 3,500 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $36.5B pool, hot tub and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge and profitability. Additionally, PHTA facilitates the expansion of swimming, water safety and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org<https://www.phta.org/>.