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2022 National Water Safety Conference

September 30th is your last chance to submit a presentation for the 2022 National Water Safety Conference

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NDPA - 2022 National Water Safety Conference

The 2022 National Water Safety Conference will take place April 11-14, 2022 in-person at the Worthington Renaissance Hotel in Fort Worth, TX and online at watersafetyconference.com.

This is your opportunity to view incredible speakers, live sessions, trainings, seminars, town hall meetings, and interactive Q&A sessions with actual professionals.

You’ll have the chance to connect with water safety suppliers, vendors, and Families United to Prevent Drowning members through the Virtual Exhibit Hall. Participate in the fun for a chance to win prizes and contests.

National Water Safety Conference - Presented by NDPA - National Drowning Prevention Alliance

Virtual Exhibitors:

Last Chance to Submit Presentations for 2022 National Water Safety Conference

Applications for conference speakers are due September 30, 2021. By October 15, 2021, the selected Speaker will be notified.

5/5 - (1 vote)

Marianne Trusty is a Press Correspondent for the pool & spa industry. A published author and social media influencer reaching over 20 million people around the world each day. Contact Marianne about publishing op-editorials, breaking pool news and press releases at [email protected].

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Safety

‘NY SWIMS’ Program Aimed At Expanding Access To Curb Record Drowning Rates

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'NY SWIMS' Program Aimed At Expanding Access To Curb Record Drowning Rates

In a groundbreaking move, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York has introduced the “NY SWIMS” initiative, aiming to enhance water safety across the state. The $60 million grant program is set to establish 10 new pools in underserved communities, with an additional $30 million allocated for pop-up pools during heat waves. This summer, the number of pools and beaches providing water safety instruction programs is expected to more than double, increasing from seven to 17.

One notable highlight of the initiative is the fast-tracking of a floating, self-filtering pool in New York City’s waterways. Initially proposed over a decade ago, the $16 million project, with $12 million from the state and $4 million from the city, will see the 9,000-square-foot +Pool become a reality. Shaped like a plus sign with an Olympic-sized setup, the pool will undergo testing this summer, likely in a location connected to the riverbed off Manhattan’s Lower East Side, anticipating a public opening next summer.

Governor Hochul also pledged to bolster lifeguard numbers statewide. Concerns arose at the start of the previous summer when New York City had only about one-third of the required 1,400 lifeguards to ensure swimmers’ safety.

The comprehensive plan was unveiled at a press conference on January 5, with Governor Hochul joined by New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Describing it as “the largest statewide investment in swimming since the New Deal,” the initiative is a response to alarming drowning rates in New York. The most recent data from 2021 revealed 230 deaths, prompting urgent action.

Mayor Adams emphasized the significance of the initiative, pointing out that drowning has become a leading cause of death, particularly among children aged 1 to 14. With New York City surrounded by water, Adams stressed the importance of teaching young people to swim. He highlighted the stark disparities, citing a 2017 survey indicating that one in three Black students cannot swim compared to one in 10 white counterparts.

Adams passionately shared his personal experience, recounting a lack of swimming facilities in his community, where a water hose and the hope for a turned-on fire hydrant served as makeshift pools. He drew attention to the stark contrast, likening Coney Island to the Hamptons for his community and Riis Beach to Martha’s Vineyard.

The “NY SWIMS” initiative builds on previous efforts, including legislation from September that provided free swimming lessons for second graders in the city. This transformative initiative aims not only to create new aquatic spaces but also to change mindsets and address historical inequalities in access to swimming resources.


Read the perspective of 13-year-old East Harlem resident Lucas Rosado as he shares his testimonial on the personal significance of the “NY SWIMS” initiative:

I’m Lucas Rosado, a 13-year-old Latino from East Harlem. Some of my earliest memories are swimming here at the Children’s Aid Milbank Center. I started swimming when I was five and became competitive when I was seven. And one of my favorite things to do is race at swim meets. I always have fun competing, making new friends and improving with my team.

During the pandemic, that all came to a stop. In that long period when I couldn’t swim, I realized just how important swimming is. It’s a valuable skill that teaches values like community, sportsmanship, hard work, discipline and perseverance In Latino and Black communities like mine, I think expanding swim programs would be amazing.

In these communities, a reduction in obesity and drowning rates is greatly needed, and providing young people access to pools and lessons will help them experience the numerous physical, mental and social benefits that swimming has to offer. Programs that increase pool access and swimming education like the Children’s Aid are great for building strong and healthy communities.

Swimming is also a social sport that allows you to meet new people and learn valuable skills like sportsmanship and teamwork. People who started as toddlers just learning how to swim eventually grow up to be coaches as adults all while maintaining lifelong friendships.

That comfort, shared by all ages and backgrounds here at the pool, is something more people need to experience, and I’m confident that Governor Hochul’s announcement will help achieve that for all communities. I hope everyone in New York can get a swimming pool near them and learn to love being in the water just like I do.

5/5 - (7 votes)

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Florida Legislators Propose Swim Lesson Vouchers For Low-Income Families

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Florida Legislators Propose Swim Lesson Vouchers For Low Income Families

In response to the alarming statistics revealing that drowning is the leading cause of death among children aged four or younger in Florida, two dedicated legislators, Sen. Travis Hutson and Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera, have introduced a swim lesson vouchers system. Since 2020, a staggering 256 children in this age group have tragically lost their lives to drowning in the Sunshine State. The proposed legislation, SB 544/581, is designed to create a voucher system within the Department of Health, offering swimming lessons to low-income families with young children.

Swim Lesson Vouchers – Key Legislation Components

Targeted Assistance: The legislation specifically targets families with one or more children aged four and under, whose income falls within 200% of the federal poverty level. By focusing on this demographic, the program aims to address the disproportionate impact of drowning incidents in lower-income households.

Department of Health Oversight: The Department of Health would play a central role in administering the program, contracting with a network of swimming lesson vendors to facilitate the distribution of vouchers. This ensures a coordinated effort to reach families in need and connect them with reputable swim education providers.

Geared Towards Prevention: Sen. Hutson emphasizes a shift in focus from physical pool safety measures to proactive prevention through swimming lessons. By imparting essential swimming skills to high-risk children, the program aims to significantly reduce the incidence of drowning, ultimately saving lives.

No Appropriation, Diverse Funding Sources: The proposed legislation, slated to take effect on July 1, 2024, does not include a specific appropriation. However, it opens the door for funding from multiple sources, indicating that vouchers could be paid for by the state or through private and public grants. This versatile funding approach enhances the sustainability and scalability of the program.

Florida state legislators proposed voucher system for swim lessons would take effect on July 1, 2024 if it passes.

Addressing Florida’s Pool Landscape

Florida boasts more than 1.5 million residential pools, making it a state with one pool for approximately every 14 residents. Acknowledging this reality, the legislators recognize the need for a comprehensive approach to water safety beyond physical pool barriers. The voucher program aims to bridge the gap by directly equipping children with the ability to swim, a life skill crucial for their safety in a state with such abundant water resources.

“There is nothing more important to parents than the health and well-being of their children, that’s why we’ve taken a giant step towards providing greater access to swimming lessons for young children in Florida.  This common sense, but significant bill aims to eliminate youth drowning deaths in Florida and ensure every child is equipped with the ability to swim in our state.”

Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera

Sen. Travis Hutson and Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera’s proposed voucher program represents a proactive and targeted response to a critical issue affecting Florida’s youngest residents. With child drowning incidents reaching alarming numbers, the legislation offers a tangible solution by making swim education accessible to families facing economic challenges.

“In the past, we’ve focused on how to physically make pools safer, but this bill is going to save lives by actually teaching high-risk kids how to swim,”

Sen. Travis Hutson

By prioritizing prevention over remediation and leveraging diverse funding sources, this initiative holds the potential to save lives and ensure that every child in Florida has the opportunity to learn the essential skill of swimming. The proposed legislation aims for a safer and more inclusive future for the Sunshine State’s children.

4.9/5 - (10 votes)

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Buy a Pool Plate – Save a Life!

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FSPA Swim for Life

This holiday season, you can help decrease Florida’s drowning rates by taking action towards providing swimming lessons for children around the state.

By pre-ordering just one of the Florida Swims Foundation’s “Swim For Life” specialty license plates, you will create a domino effect of positive action that directly impacts Florida’s children and overall water safety.

The numbers that define Florida’s drowning statistics are serious. Did you know that:

  • Drowning is the #1 cause of death for Florida children ages 1-4 (per CDC)
  • Florida ranked #1 in the U.S. for unintentional drowning death rate for children ages 1-4 years from 2018-2020 combined (per FloridaHealth.gov)
  • Each year, there are enough children under age 5 lost to drowning to fill 3-4 Florida classrooms (per Florida Health Charts)

But there is more data that is poised to redefine Florida’s current drowning statistics. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), swimming lessons are proven to reduce the risk of drowning by a whopping 88%.

The Florida Swims Foundation created the “Swim For Life” specialty license plate as a tangible, impactful way to reduce that drowning risk even further. Each plate provides a child with a swimming lesson in their community. Through a partnership with Every Child A Swimmer, the Foundation has provided hundreds of Florida swim schools and thousands of students with life-changing lessons in water safety to date. Now, it is time for that impact to be expanded even further. It is time for all of Florida’s children to have access to swimming lessons.

When it comes down to it, the math is simple:

  • 1 license plate = 1 child receiving a swim lesson
  • 1 license plate = 1 child’s life saved from drowning
  • 1 license plate = 1 less drowning death in our own backyard

YOU can have this impact by purchasing the Florida Swims Foundation’s “Swim For Life” specialty license plate.

Pre-order today and learn more at SwimForLifeFlorida.com.

5/5 - (1 vote)

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