Hi Friends-

This is my 12th year as a Colin's Hope Athlete Ambassador to Prevent Drowning and the 12th 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 (plus) 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. Three years ago, I had a very scary experience during the ocean swim of the XTERRA Off Road Triathlon World Championships 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.

Last year, in the midst of the Covid pandemic and a very hot summer - I swam more than 70 miles in my virtual Colin's Hope Got2Swim---each mile was swum in honor or celebration of someone lost to a fatal drowning or almost lost to a non-fatal drowning. ALL in the the name of drowning prevention.

This year, I will swim the Colin's Hope Got2Swim 10K in honor of a very cherished friend, a swim lesson instructor of many years and one of the key founding volunteers of Colin's Hope--Glenna Sager.  She is battling cancer and cannot participate this year so I am going to take her with me on all my swims. Her name was added to my orange Safer Swimmer buoy and I'll honor her and her dedication to water safety and her courageous fight againt cancer.

I will also swim in honor of a 4 yr old little love lost to drowning in my own family circle. His story is not mine to tell but I will swim in his honor and in celebration of his life.

SO Why DO I SWIM? I am so glad you asked. Please read on.

Drowning is the #1 Cause of death for children under 5 and a leading cause for older children and adults, yet drowning is preventable

Last year, Texas alone lost 76 children to FATAL, PREVENTABLE Drowning,  while 8x as many have survived a non-fatal drowning.

This year, so far, Texas has lost 6 children and many adults as well to FATAL, PREVENTABLE Drowning,  while 8x as many have survived a non-fatal drowning.

Annually, the U.S loses an average of 3,500 people of all ages to FATAL, PREVENTABLE Drowning

Globally, more than 360,000 people are lost to drowning. 

These numbers should be ZERO!

Again, Drowning does not discriminate on any basis- age, race, gender, socioeconomic level or even swimming ability.

NO ONE IS DROWN PROOF. Not YOU. Not ME.

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 all the miles (or you can sign up to also swim or paddle). 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