Tag Archive for: water safety champion of the month

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May 2023 Water Safety Champion of the Month: Liz Huber

CAST water safety foundation Liz Huber

When you become a parent, you quickly realize that your new goal in life is to make sure that your children’s lives are full of new experiences that lead them to discover their best selves. For Liz Huber, CAST Water Safety Foundation Founder & Director, her children’s experience with self-rescue lessons led her to pursue her own path of water safety education by becoming a certified ISR self-rescue instructor and founding the CAST Water Safety Foundation.

As an educator with a background in business and philanthropy, Liz saw an opportunity for each of her passions to be fused together for an even greater purpose.

“Self-rescue swim lessons were the most empowering thing that ever happened to our family. I wanted to share that empowerment with others.”

We are thrilled to celebrate Liz Huber as our Water Safety Champion of the Month this May!

Liz’s Introduction to the Aquatics Industry

Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago and having a pool in her backyard made Liz a strong swimmer by the time she was 4 years old. As a parent today, she knew teaching children to swim at an early age would make them safer, and set a goal for her own children to learn by the age of 3.

With this goal in mind, she went on her search but struggled to find a local swim program that was highly respected while providing the result of teaching kids under 5 to be competent in the water.

Finally, while on vacation, she came across a family that told her about ISR self-rescue lessons, and to Liz, this was the perfect fit for safeguarding her water-loving babies.

She enrolled her daughters in ISR self-rescue lessons and noticed a significant difference in their overall quality of life as a result. Her children slept better, ate better, had better interpersonal relationships, and hit long-awaited physical milestones, leaving them with a deep sense of empowerment.

On that basis alone, Liz realized the lessons were worth it. However, it wasn’t until she became a licensed instructor at her daughter’s swim school that she understood the most critical piece of water competency—drowning prevention.

As an instructor, she had the opportunity to speak to another mom, Katie Trent, whom she met while her daughter was in self-rescue lessons. Unfortunately, Liz soon discovered she had lost her daughter in a tragic drowning accident.

A simple statement from Katie would echo in Liz’s heart for years to come, “How did you learn about these lessons before losing a child? The only reason I’m here is because my daughter is gone.”

A Moment Becomes an Opportunity

No one should have to experience the gravity of such a loss, so Liz took it upon herself to learn everything she could about safer swimming initiatives during the pandemic. Realizing how much education goes into keeping a child under five safe around water, she began to craft a new approach to water safety education.

As a former elementary educator, she understood that in any case (development, education, emotional intelligence, etc.), benchmarks change with age. This understanding led her to make the following decision: CAST would customize their lessons to how a child under 5 learns while tracking the data of the biggest risk factors for their age group.

The CAST Water Safety Foundation facilitates swim safety education. Their approach to water competency heavily focuses on education surrounding water, the risks, the benefits of competency, and the importance of guardian involvement in the learning process.

The children’s caretakers are actively involved in learning strategies for routines when entering the water, respect for water, and being in the water with your child. Caretaker involvement can help to ensure children are safe and skilled in aquatic environments, which can lead to a lifelong love of swimming and water-based activities. Additionally, guardians can also learn about the benefits of swimming for physical and mental health.

Self-rescue lessons are given to each child one-on-one at 10-minute weekly intervals. Program duration is up to 6 weeks or until instructors determine the child is “safe and skilled,” after which lessons are less frequent and done for maintenance.

They partner with a number of organizations and foundations, such as the 4 ANNA Foundation, the Live Like Jake Foundation, and Levi’s Legacy, bringing education and empowerment to families with the overall goal of creating “safer swimmers sooner.”

CAST-ing a Vision for the Future

Growth and expansion are on the horizon for this small but mighty organization, which just reached its 500th swim scholarship, which helps minimize the cost of self-rescue lessons. They anticipate future growth by adding more scholarship partners with trusted and effective instructors who desire to give back and provide education to swim families.

Currently, they are partnered with 12 self-rescue swim instructors in the Chicago suburbs and cities throughout the U.S. The CAST team hopes to keep growing scholarship providers and further water safety education for families nationwide.

Liz’s biggest hope is that all swim schools, swim lesson providers, and advocates can unite and spread awareness under a common goal: customized education and instruction which will best safeguard children under five.

CAST remains a community pillar for educating parents of children under 5 on water safety and drowning prevention. In the future, they hope to partner with others that have the same mission but are focused on older children and teens, as well as organizations that are committed to

Water safety is a critical topic that cannot be overlooked, and the work of organizations like CAST Water Safety Foundation is an important part of initiatives that aim to save lives.

Thank You For Being A Water Safety Champion!

Liz Huber is a true Water Safety Champion who works tirelessly to educate people on water safety and drowning prevention initiatives. Her dedication and passion for water competency are an inspiration to us all to take the necessary precautions and make water activities safer for everyone.

Thank you for being a Water Safety Champion, Liz Huber!

If you are making a difference in water safety and drowning prevention or know someone who has, we want to hear your story. 

Please take a moment to share the story on our website for a chance to be nationally recognized as a Water Safety Champion.

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April 2023 Water Safety Champion of the Month: Trish Miller

Trish Miller of SwemKids

Often, some of our most painful stories become our greatest triumphs. Trish Miller, the founder of SwemKids, took a terrifying near-drowning experience and turned it into a life-changing program for children in communities of color. 

As she got older and progressed in her career in public health, Trish determined that swim classes should be more accessible to children in the Black community who may not otherwise have the opportunity to gain these life-saving skills. 

We are thrilled to celebrate Trish Miller as our Water Safety Champion of the Month this April!

The Moment That Changed Trish Miller’s Life

Though she grew up in proximity to a beach, Trish Miller hadn’t actually been to one until she was 16 years old. She admits she was not exposed to water safety until later in elementary school when her class was taken to the local pool for 2 weeks of swimming instruction.  

Trish states, “I was the only black child in class, and the instructors could not understand why I was so afraid of the water.” 

Due to cultural differences and presuppositions, it was difficult for her to engage in the instruction of swimming. It was her first time in a pool that size, and she was too afraid to continue. The instructors didn’t pressure her and seemed to be disconnected from her experience as a young black girl. 

When she went to college, things began to take a turn. Some friends had invited her to go swimming, promising they’d teach her. After spending some time in the water, Trish’s friends encouraged her to jump into the deeper end of the pool. 

She felt confident enough in her ability to swim and walked to the edge of the pool that read 12ft. She jumped in and quickly realized she was not ready. 

In a moment of panic, she began to swallow water and nearly drowned before she was pulled out by one of her friends. 

This was a formative experience for her and shaped her entire future, Trish states, “It became my mission to do something about these devastating statistics because I almost became one. That is how SwemKids was born.”

Learning the Tragic Drowning Statistics for People of Color

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the drowning death rates for Black people are 1.5 times higher than the death rates for White people. The disparities are highest among Black children ages 5-9, (rates 2.6 times higher) and ages 10-14 (rates 3.6 times higher). 

“As I continued to progress in my career, I started to become aware that my story was not unique, that nearly 70% of Black people do not know how to swim well”, states Miller. 

Once she started her work in public health, Trish discovered that there are a lot of historical generalizations that led to her family’s mindset. She felt that representation needed to change and communities of color needed to be shown as professionals in the water. 

Trish states, “There needed to be intentionality behind showing them in the water in order to adjust beliefs around water safety. You are never too old to learn how to swim, in fact, I swam my first lap in 2019 at just over 40 years old.”

Introducing The Freedom of Swimming through SwemKids

With the goal to educate and empower the black community to nurture a healthy relationship with water, Trish began her mission, and in 2017, SwemKids was born. “It’s actually spelled S-W-E-M. Which is an ode to Afrikaans, that dialect, to change that dynamic.” 

SwemKids is a non-profit program that teaches introductory swimming lessons and water safety skills to communities that experience the highest rates of drownings. Instructors in the SwemKids facility are diverse aquatics professionals from the communities they serve.

“We can only do this work by partnering with people in our community,” states Trish Miller. 

Trish and her organization work hard to partner with local school districts and offer scholarships to schools and groups dedicated to empowering people of color.  

Some notable organizations that Swemkids have partnered with include the Boys and Girls Club of America, 100 Black Men of America, and Mocha Moms Inc.

“We save lives. We are welcoming people to a space that they historically have been excluded from. We celebrate every first lap and every big jump. We are welcoming people back to the freedom and the love of water.” 

Thank You For Making A Difference in Water Safety

Trish Miller is truly a trailblazer in the world of water safety education. Her dedication to the cause and her community has made a lasting impact, and her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. 

The NDPA is honored to present this accolade for Trish’s passion and dedication to making water safety more accessible to underrepresented communities. 

Thank you for being a Water Safety Champion, Trish Miller!

If you are making a difference in water safety and drowning prevention or know someone who has, we want to hear your story. 

Please take a moment to share the story on our website for a chance to be nationally recognized as a Water Safety Champion.

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March 2023 Water Safety Champion of the Month: Bill Ramos

water-safety-champion-of-the-month-bill-ramos-march

Our Water Safety Champions are the people that go above and beyond in their communities to focus on water safety and drowning prevention, which is why it’s so important that we recognize and celebrate those that champion water safety every day!

We are thrilled to celebrate Bill Ramos as our Water Safety Champion of the Month this March!

About William (Bill) Ramos

Bill Ramos is an incredible aquatic and water safety community member as a researcher, leader, and service provider. Bill is an associate professor at Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington and Director of the Indiana University Aquatics Institute. 

Internationally respected in aquatics with an excellent aquatic, water safety, and drowning prevention research resume, Bill is the chair of the aquatic sub-council of the Red Cross Scientific Advisory Council. He has also been a vital member of the U.S. National Water Safety Action Plan.

Growing Up On Lake Michigan

Bill grew up in Gary, Indiana, and still loves his hometown working with city leadership on aquatic risk management.

Gary, IN, is located on the southern tip of Lake Michigan and is home to several beaches, local parks, and, most famously, The Jackson Five!

Bill grew up being on the water and gained a love for all things aquatic. As a teen, he joined his local swim team and later became a lifeguard on Lake Michigan. 

Being a lifeguard during his summers, he was part of several rescues. But, sadly, even with the many rescues in his repertoire, he witnessed firsthand the tragic results of a drowning accident. 

At that moment, it became clear to Bill that drowning was preventable. He knew there were ways to educate and advocate for the public on this problem. 

Because of Bill’s love of aquatics, he obtained degrees in Parks & Recreation Administration and then a Ph.D. in Leisure Behavior. He worked in the areas of aquatic management and swim coaching until later becoming a professor at Indiana University.

Throughout his career, he shares his love of water and actively advocates for people to engage with the water. He feels that being in and around water is fun and should be enjoyed by everyone. 

Bill emphasizes that drowning is a preventable tragedy and that if we work together, we can empower people everywhere to engage with water safely. 

The Joys of Water

Bill works locally, nationally, and internationally to help everyone have the knowledge and skills to engage in water activities safely.

Water can be an enjoyable outlet, even with therapeutic benefits. Yet, some people still don’t have access to water or are afraid to engage in aquatic-based activities due to the lack of opportunity to learn to swim in their communities.


Bill is currently working with the Miller Beach Water Safety Group to provide drowning prevention education, life jacket loners, and water safety stations throughout Miller Beach, Indiana.

Thank You For Making A Difference!

Without Water Safety Champions like Bill Ramos, Robin Taylor, and David Albornoz, we couldn’t change the numbers and continue educating about the best water safety practices and strategies. 

The NDPA is honored to present this accolade for Bill’s hard work and passion for his community.

Thank you for being a Water Safety Champion, Bill Ramos!

If you are making a difference in water safety and drowning prevention or know someone who has, we want to hear your story. 

Please take a moment to share the story on our website for a chance to be nationally recognized as a Water Safety Champion.

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February 2023 Water Safety Champion of the Month: Robin Taylor

water-safety-champion-brogantien-aquatic-center-robin-taylor

The aquatics industry has impacted so many lives, and for the past 21 years at the Brigantine Aquatic Center, Robin Taylor has advocated water safety for hundreds of children in the Atlantic City Area.  

We are thrilled to celebrate Robin Taylor as our Water Safety Champion of the Month this February!

Robin’s Career Progression in the Aquatics Industry

Robin’s Career in aquatics started when she became a parent to her daughter in 1976. Robin knew of the statistics around drowning when her daughter was still an infant.

 “I didn’t want her to be a statistic. I knew there was something that could prevent her from becoming one of the numbers, and I started her in swimming lessons when she was a baby.” 

After a while, swimming classes for her daughter became costly, which opened her up to volunteer for what is now the Ocean County YMCA, where she eventually became the head instructor for Red Cross CPR & First Aid and the first to complete a new state paramedic program at the Community Hospital of Toms River.

Robin states, “When you start teaching one person, you realize how much difference you can make and all the lives you touch with something as simple as teaching a child how to float.”

After many years of success, Robin took a temporary leave from the aquatics industry but continued to contribute to her community in any way she could, eventually fundraising over $1 million for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

How Robin Started the Brigantine Aquatic Center

The opening of the Brigantine Aquatic Center all started with the question of where the young children of Brigantine, NJ, could receive swimming lessons. 

“I remember going to a local dance recital with my sister, and I had asked her where the kids went for swimming lessons, and she said “There’s not a place around here built for that,” and I simply responded, ‘Well, we should build one,” states Robin.

“They laughed when I mentioned it, but I was set out to build an aquatic center to share the passion I had for swimming with others.” 

The Brigantine Aquatic Center was then opened in 2001, where Robin currently owns and mentors her aquatic teachers with her husband, daughter, and niece. It is now the home of a wide range of swim programs that has taught more than 7,500 children and is the home of the GreenHeads Swimming Team, a Special Olympics Swim Team, and a Master’s Team. 

Additionally, Robin is deeply involved with the Atlantic City community in which she launched Green Whales Inc, a non-profit that funds program’s like Whelan’s Whales, Greenheads Swimming, and Stanley’s Special Friends to support free swimming programs for inner-city youth.

Thank You For Making a Difference in Water Safety!

Without Robin’s help, many children in the Atlantic City Area would not have had the opportunity to learn how to swim and find passion within the aquatics industry. Her impact in her community has launched countless scholarships, donations, and funding opportunities for children to get involved in swimming.

Her approach to water safety is very hands-on, and she strives to continue to make water safety education and swimming available for every child in New Jersey with the help of more water safety legislation.

As a founding member of the New Jersey Swim Safety Alliance, she is currently working towards passing Bill A618, which requires school districts to provide water safety instruction as part of New Jersey’s Student Learning Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education in grades Kindergarten through 12. 

“Children and parents need the information to protect themselves in the water,” Robin states, “No parent wants their child to become a tragic statistic.”

The NDPA is honored to present this accolade for Robin’s hard work and passion for her community.

Thank you for being a Water Safety Champion, Robin Taylor!

If you are making a difference in water safety and drowning prevention or know someone who has, we want to hear your story. 

Please take a moment to share the story on our website for a chance to be nationally recognized as a Water Safety Champion.

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Water Safety Champion of the Month: David Albornoz of Como Park Pool – Jan 2023

Another year has passed, and we can’t help but look forward to all that 2023 has to offer!

It is with great excitement that the NDPA finally launched our Water Safety Champion of the Month campaign to recognize the hard-working people that are making a difference in drowning prevention and water safety.

With drowning being the leading cause of death in children ages 1-4, we must acknowledge those that are doing their part to save lives by becoming Water Safety Champions.

By learning, advocating, and implementing the 5 Layers of Protection, these individuals are actively reducing the number of drownings every single day.

One of those individuals is our first-ever Water Safety Champion of the Month, Coach David Albornoz, of Como Park Pool in St. Paul, Minnesota!

David’s Unique Background in Aquatics

In his native country of Venezuela, David Albornoz began his career in aquatics as a beach lifeguard at age 15.

Growing up in a country with friends and family that were around water constantly, he became increasingly heartbroken when he realized how profound the issue of drowning was, especially when he moved to the United States in 2002.

“I had nightmares for the families that had to experience the loss of a child. And the worst part to me was that it was completely preventable. The sad reality is: there isn’t enough access to water safety education, especially for kids of color,” Albornoz states.

Coach David had the vision to prevent drownings and save lives, and in doing so, he continued lifeguarding during his pursual of a Master’s Degree in the Arts of International Law.

Eventually, he felt the pull to return to the aquatic industry and has been coaching, lifeguarding, and advocating water safety and drowning prevention for about 30 years.

How David Is Advocating Water Safety at Como Park Pool

A proud member of St. Paul’s community, Coach David promotes water safety efforts every day and continues to motivate high school students to pursue aquatic careers.

David’s approach to continuing water safety efforts makes a huge difference when inspiring young students to pursue a career path in aquatics during this time of lifeguard shortages.

“It’s never too late to form a connection, especially for marginalized youth. Because I look and sound more like a minority, I think it becomes more memorable and relatable to those that grew up in a different cultural background,” says Albornoz.

Beyond just having a diverse aquatic and cultural background, David has teamed up with many different groups in his community to prevent drowning. In the spring of 2022, a Minnesota-based charity run by Alison Petri, Abbey’s Hope Charitable Foundation, approached Coach David and his team to help spread water safety education in the public schools across their community.

“I’m not a planner,” Albornoz joked, “but I am an executor and your number one person on the ground. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to save lives. Tell me what to do, and I will do it”.

In his community outreach efforts, he has even started a program called Rec Check Program: Safe In The Water, which provides after-school care for youth opportunities to swim and receive water safety presentations to children for an hour and a half every week.

Using this weekly program, kids can stay safe both in and out of the water more consistently while encouraging them to become more active at the same time.

Thank You For Making a Difference!

We could have lost thousands of children to preventable drownings if David hadn’t worked tirelessly to prevent these tragedies. His impact in the community has made a profound impact not just in his community but on a national level.

His approach to water safety is incredibly proactive, uplifting, and positively contagious. The NDPA is honored to present this accolade for the hard work and the passion David brings to his daily life.

Thank you for being a Water Safety Champion, David Albornoz!

If you are making a difference or know someone who has, we want to hear your story.

Please take a moment to share the story on our website for a chance to be nationally recognized as a Water Safety Champion at ndpa.org/nominate-wsc/.