The USA Swimming Foundation has named the Association of Aquatic Professionals (AOAP) as a member of their Affiliate Coalition. This partnership was forged in an effort to increase drowning prevention nationwide.
“The USA Swimming Foundation is pleased to partner with the Association of Aquatic Professionals to promote the Make a Splash initiative,” said USA Swimming Foundation Executive Director Debbie Hesse. “By working together to promote water safety and learn to swim, we expand the reach of our message into more communities across the nation, educating families and positively impacting kids by providing additional opportunities to learn to swim.”
The USA Swimming Foundation’s Affiliate Coalition is comprised of businesses and organizations who share the common goal of promoting the importance of learn-to-swim and water safety to children across America.
“We are excited to become an Affiliate Coalition partner with the USA Swimming Foundation and promote drowning prevention initiatives nationwide,” says Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the AOAP Juliene Hefter. “With summer in full swing, this message has never been more important and we’re proud to have the backing of such and effective organization.”
As an Affiliate partner, the Association of Aquatic Professionals will promote the USA Swimming Foundation’s message of water safety and learn-to-swim to its members, providers and partners in an effort to provide the opportunity for every child to learn to swim.
Sobering Drowning Statistics
Approximately 10 people drown every day in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and more than one in five fatal drowning victims are children younger than 14. Drowning is also a silent killer—most young children who drowned in pools were last seen in the home, had been out of sight less than five minutes, and were in the care of one or both parents at the time, according to the Present P. Child Drowning study.
Furthermore, 60-70 percent of African-American and Hispanic/Latino children cannot swim, and only 13 percent of kids who come from a non-swimming household will ever learn to swim, according to a national research study by the USA Swimming Foundation and the University of Memphis. African-American children drown at a rate nearly three times higher than their Caucasian peers, the CDC reports.
About the USA Swimming Foundation
The USA Swimming Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of USA Swimming. Established in 2004, the Foundation works to strengthen the sport by saving lives and building champions— in the pool and in life. Whether we’re equipping our children with the life-saving skill of learn-to-swim through our Make a Splash initiative, or providing financial support to our heroes on the U.S. National Team, the USA Swimming Foundation aims to provide the wonderful experience of swimming to kids at all levels across the country. To learn more, visit www.usaswimmingfoundation.org.
About the USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash Initiative
The USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash initiative is a national child-focused water safety campaign, which aims to provide the opportunity for every child in America to learn to swim. Through Make a Splash, the USA Swimming Foundation partners with learn-to-swim providers and water safety advocates across the country to provide swimming lessons and educate children and their families on the importance of learning how to swim. The USA Swimming Foundation has invested millions of dollars to provide grants to qualified Local Partner learn-to-swim programs, to spread national awareness, and to bring together strategic partners to end drowning. To date, more than 2 million children have received the lifesaving gift of swim lessons through the USA Swimming Foundation Make a Splash Local Partner network, comprised of more than 600 qualified lesson providers across the nation. To learn more, visit www.usaswimmingfoundation.org/makeasplash.
About the Association of Aquatic Professionals
The Association of Aquatic Professionals believes in promoting and supporting the aquatic profession through advocacy, research, and education on aquatic issues and to provide a common forum for members, educators, and aquatic suppliers that contributes to their professional advancement. To learn more, visit www.associationofaquaticprofessionals.org
Swimming News courtesy of USA Swimming.
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