Hi Friends-

This is my 10th year as a Colin's Hope Athlete Ambassador to Prevent Drowning and the 10th Annual Got2Swim --I can't believe it.  I am so grateful for this cannonball into a field (water safety and drowning prevention) that I now have so much passion and dedication to.

The last decade has taught me so much about water safety, drowning prevention and the very huge reality that EVERYONE, regardless of your age, race, socioeconomic status, gender or even swimming ability can drown... even ME. Last year, I had a very scary experience during the ocean swim of the XTERRA Off Road Triathlon World Championships (the picture on my page was me exiting that swim) and I was under the water- fighting huge waves and thinking that I might drown. Thankfully, I did not panic and was able to resurface but I certainly understood the term, "Nobody is Drownproof". That experience scared me but also motivated me to do more- do more as the Executive Director of Colin's Hope, more as a competitive triathlete, more as a parent and more as a water safety warrior.

This year, I did the Got2Swim Lake Austin 10K on August 16th and am headed to Utah on Spet 7th to race at the  XTERRA Off Road Triathlon Pan American Championships and then to Maui at the end of October to race at the XTERRA World Championships ---ALL in the the name of drowning prevention. Feel free to invite me or dare me to do something else... I'll probably say yes.  Why? I am so glad you asked. Please read on.

Drowning is the #1 Cause of unintentional injury related death for children under 5 and a leading cuse for ages 1-14, yet drowning is preventable

Texas has already lost 81 children to FATAL, PREVENTABLE Drowning this year, while 5x as many have survived a non-fatal drowning. That number should be ZERO!

What does Colin's Hope do with the funds raised?   Colin's Hope uses the funds raised by Athlete Ambassadors to educate parents/caregivers and children to be safer aorund the water all year round through proven progams. They distribute 75,000 water safety education cards each year, sponsor swim lessons and water safety education lessons, stock life jacket loaner stations and serve in leadership positions locally, state and nationwide. The work that Colin's Hope does ABSOLUTELY saves lives, changes behaviors to be safer around water and prevents drownings. If we continue this work, we CAN END DROWNING.

How can YOU help?     

1) I invite you to be part of my team, join this journey to prevent drowning. It's easy..I'll swim, bike and run all the miles. You can cheer me on and if you are able, make a donation of any amount to support Colin's Hope. Together, we will do this in honor of Colin and all of the children lost to a fatal drowning and those who have survived a non-fatal drowning and their families who courageously work every day to prevent drowning so that no familiy will have to experience what they have experienced. It will take ALL of US to change the culture of water safety. I dream of a day when kids learn about water safety when they learn not to touch the stove or to wear a seatbelt or to stop, drop and roll. I know we can get there if we work together. 

2) Remember that DROWNING IS Fast. Silent. AND Preventable. And please tell your family and friends.

3) Please Become a Water Guardian. Take and share the Colin's Hope Water Safety Quiz at www.colinshope.org/quiz

Hand over heart thank you for your support!

As Colin used to say- Have the Best Day Ever!

Alissa