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Step Into Swim Awards Grant Funding to the Michael Phelps Foundation to Expand Water Safety Programming for Children

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Rowdy Gaines and Michael Phelps

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance recognizes the impact of the Michael Phelps Foundation’s IM Program with $20,000 grant to increase access to free, comprehensive water safety curriculum 

Alexandria, Va. (March 9, 2023) – Step Into Swim, an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) dedicated to creating more swimmers through safe swim education, today announced it awarded $20,000 through its 2023 grant program to the Michael Phelps Foundation. In its efforts to build confidence in young swimmers and decrease the nation’s already-high drowning rate, Step Into Swim continues to advocate for increased access to water safety education and encourages lesson providers to apply for funding.

“Learning to swim empowers children to be water safety champions and helps prevent drowning,” said Rowdy Gaines, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and Vice President of Partnerships and Development for PHTA, who leads the Step Into Swim initiative. “Step Into Swim takes swim safety seriously and we applaud the Michael Phelps Foundation among all the learn-to-swim lesson providers for doing the same. They put children first and teach them the skills they need to not only survive, but thrive in the water.”

With Step Into Swim latest grant, the Michael Phelps Foundation will offer swim safety lessons to more than 400 children in underserved communities and instill the lifesaving skill of learning to swim. In fact, learning to swim from a qualified instructor reduces the drowning rate by 88% among children ages 1 through 4,[1] the very same age group impacted most by drowning deaths.[2]

“I was first introduced to the water through a water-safety program, and I am committed to helping expand access to that same learn-to-swim program through our IM program,” said Michael Phelps, Founder of the Michael Phelps Foundation. “We are proud to partner with Rowdy Gaines and the PHTA’s Step Into Swim initiative to help teach more children to feel comfortable and confident in and around the water. Together, we can help inspire and educate the next generation about the valuable life skill of learning to swim.”

In addition to the life-saving skill of learning to swim, the Michael Phelps Foundation’s IM program provides a comprehensive curriculum that includes goal setting and healthy living (emotional and physical) lessons for children.

In 2022, Step Into Swim raised over $750,000 dollars, which provided grants to more than 60 facilities in 46 states and funded swim lessons for 23,500 children. The initiative has gifted more than 300,000 swim lessons since 2012 through YMCAs, Jewish Community Centers, Boys and Girls Clubs, and many more. Step Into Swim accepts grant applications on a rolling basis. Interested learn-to-swim providers can learn more and apply at www.stepintoswim.org/get-involved/apply/

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Drowning Data. https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/data/index.html

[2] Association Between Swimming Lessons and Drowning in Childhood, A Case-Control Study:  Ruth Brenner, et al. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4151293/

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About The Michael Phelps Foundation:

The Michael Phelps Foundation (MPF) is focused on promoting water safety, healthy living, and the pursuit of dreams, especially for children. Founded in 2008, MPF has provided learn-to-swim, healthy living, and goal-setting programming to more than 250,000 people around the world through strategic partnerships with the Boys & Girls Club of America, Special Olympics International, and the Level Field Fund. For more information, please visit:http://www.michaelphelpsfoundation.org.

About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and Step Into Swim:

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.

Step Into SwimTM is an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and its foundation committed to safe swim education and drowning prevention. By investing in the next generation of swimmers through learn-to-swim programming, the Step Into Swim initiative instills confidence, empowers long-term participation in water activities, touts the positive benefits of water play, and advocates for safe practices. Since its inception in 2012, Step Into Swim has played a role in reducing drowning fatalities and has gifted swim lessons to more than 300,000 children with support from community organizations, partners, industry advocates, members and more. For more information, visit www.stepintoswim.org.

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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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Clear Blue Water Tech, UAG Team Up on Affinity Pool

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Syracuse, NY — 07/03/25 — James Melnicoff, President of Clear Blue Water Tech, is pleased to announce a new partnership with United Aqua Group (UAG), one of the most respected buying groups in the pool and spa industry. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, UAG has been transforming how pool and spa professionals purchase products and services since its founding in 1963.

“At United Aqua Group, we’re always looking for vendor partners who share our commitment to quality, innovation, and member success,” said Craig Goodson, President of United Aqua Group. “Clear Blue Water Tech brings a strong reputation and a robust line of products that will enhance the value we deliver to our members. We’re excited to welcome them to the UAG family.”

Through this partnership, Clear Blue Water Tech will offer its Affinity-branded line of pool and specialty chemical products to UAG members across the country. The product line includes liquid pool stabilizer, liquid clarifiers, pod clarifiers, liquid phosphate removers, phosphate remover tablets, flocculants, enzymes, solar treatments, spa products and more—all designed to deliver exceptional value, trusted quality, and fast shipping.

“We are honored to be selected as a vendor to such a well-established and forward-thinking organization,” said Melnicoff. “Our team is committed to providing UAG members with innovative, reliable, and cost-effective solutions for their pool and spa chemical needs.”

For more information about Clear Blue Water Tech or the Affinity product line, visit clearbluewatertech.com or contact us at [email protected].

To learn more about United Aqua Group and the benefits of membership, go to unitedaquagroup.com or email [email protected] for more information.

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Dr. Adam Katchmarchi Joins PHTA as VP of Educational Development

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(Alexandria, Va.) – The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), the trade association representing the swimming pool, hot tub, and spa industry, is pleased to announce that Dr. Adam Katchmarchi (Ph.D.) has joined the organization as Vice President of Educational Development. Dr. Katchmarchi begins his role effective July 1, 2025.

As Vice President of Educational Development, Dr. Katchmarchi will collaborate closely with PHTA staff, partners, and industry professionals to enhance and expand PHTA’s educational programming. His primary responsibilities will include developing innovative courses and trainings, elevating the quality and accessibility of educational content, and fostering strategic partnerships aimed at enriching industry-wide professional development. He will coordinate closely with Jeanne Mendelson, Vice President of Educational Operations & Sales, to lead PHTA educational programs and services.

“I am extremely honored and excited to join the incredible team at the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance in this role,” says Dr. Katchmarchi. “I look forward to leveraging my background in aquatics education and water safety advocacy to support PHTA’s mission. Together, we will deliver high-caliber, impactful educational opportunities that help our members thrive professionally and enhance industry standards.”

Dr. Katchmarchi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new position. Prior to joining PHTA, he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), where he successfully implemented national initiatives focused on water safety awareness and drowning prevention. His leadership facilitated transformative partnerships across the public and private sectors, significantly advancing water safety education.

In addition to his executive experience, Dr. Katchmarchi was a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Allied and Public Health at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), a position he held from 2014 to 2025. An accomplished educator and researcher, Dr. Katchmarchi has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and frequently presents at both national and international conferences.

Dr. Katchmarchi earned his Ph.D. in Coaching and Teaching Studies from West Virginia University, with research specializing in water safety education. He also holds a Master of Science in Sport Management from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Slippery Rock University, both with focuses on aquatics and aquatic safety.

“Dr. Katchmarchi is an exceptional addition to our leadership team,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President & CEO of PHTA. “His distinguished career and dedication to aquatic safety, education, and advocacy make him ideally suited to elevate PHTA’s educational initiatives. We are excited about the impact he will have on our members and the industry as a whole.”

For more information, please contact Amy Willer, PHTA’s Director of Content and Communications, at [email protected] or 703-838-0083, ext. 121.

About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with 4,000 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding 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.

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CCEI Taps Martin Grenier to Head North American Operations

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CCEI, is pleased to announce the hiring of Martin Grenier to head their North American operations. Martin has over 10 years of experience in the swimming pool industry having worked for Hayward for over 7 years plus other positions in both retail and distribution. CCEI is a manufacturer of automation and controller systems in the US as well as lighting systems in Canada, Mexico, Europe and Africa with its head office located in France.  

Martin is now responsible for operations and sales for both the company’s US and Canadian markets and is also charged with raising brand and product awareness of CCEI’s products throughout the North American pool industry. “As an established supplier in Europe, we are focused on raising awareness of our products and services with pool builders, retailers and distributors, while also working to form strategic partnerships in the US and Canada,” says Grenier.  A native of Canada, Martin is also fluent in English and French. “Martin has already made a significant impact in the Canadian swimming pool market and we are confident CCEI will continue to experience exponential growth in sales of our products in both the US and Canadian markets,” says Sébastian Chéreau, Head of CCEI’s Global Marketing. “We are pleased to have Martin join our team and share his expertise with our company as he helps align our marketing strategies and goals across all branches of CCEI around the world,” says Sébastien Chéreau, Marketing Director for CCEI.  

Since 1973, CCEI has been designing and manufacturing electrical equipment for private and public pools. Over the years, we have acquired in-depth experience with pools and their specific constraints. Starting as a manufacturer specialized in electrical boxes, CCEI has expanded to different areas, including automatic water treatment and lighting for pools.

CCEI’s technical team has also grown and now has a team with recognized skills in electronics, optics and electrochemistry. With this knowledge, CCEI is now able to provide global, adapted solutions to pool builders and industries and enhance the safety, ergonomics and reliability of pool facilities. 

Martin can be reached at the company’s offices in Montreal at:  [email protected].

More information about the company’s US operations can be found at:
www.ccei-pool.com/us/
CCEI USA Inc., Inglewood, CA 90301

 

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