Leading Swim School Makes Waves with Launch of Goldfish RX, Program Aimed at Drowning Prevention

TROY, Mich., April 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Goldfish Swim School, the leading premier learn-to-swim franchise concept, has teamed up with Nicole Hughes, water safety advocate, for the collective mission to help educate parents and guardians on the importance of water safety at a young age. The launch of Goldfish RX aims to build relationships with pediatricians across the country by providing educational material needed to promote doctor-patient conversations around drowning prevention, the importance of water safety, and the value of swim lessons at a young age. As drowning remains the number one cause of injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4, taking the lives of three children in the United States every day, it is time for radical change.

Nicole Hughes has experienced the pain and grief of this silent epidemic all too well. It was on June 10, 2018, while on vacation, when her three-year-old son, Levi, slipped away from a room filled with his parents and friends, fell into the pool, and drowned – all within mere moments. Hughes has dedicated herself to channeling her grief to help other parents avoid the tragedy her family has endured. As a result, she founded Water Guardians: Levi's Legacy, in memory of her son, and has worked to bring awareness and conversation to the topic, ultimately taking her message to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to advocate for change.

The Goldfish RX program proudly aligns with Water Guardians: Levi's Legacy, as together these efforts aim to support the AAP's newly released updated recommendations to prevent drowning in children. These policies stress the critical role pediatricians play in this life-saving mission. Parents and guardians turn to pediatricians to provide them with the information they need to keep their children safe. Car seats, home safety, proper nutrition, and medication are all part of important conversations for families with young children – and now it's time to add water safety to the list. Goldfish RX provides pediatricians with material to help educate parents and guardians. Materials include coloring sheets with water safety tips, educational pamphlets, and a prescription tear pad to prescribe every child an introductory, complimentary swim lesson at their local Goldfish Swim School.

"It is our hope that the launch of Goldfish RX is a step in the right direction as we all work together to provide education, resources, and lessons for drowning prevention and water safety to lower the staggering statistics," said Jenny McCuiston, Co-Founder of Goldfish Swim School. "As parents and founders, we could not be more pleased about the important updates made by the American Academy of Pediatrics as we too are committed to education on water safety. We commend Nicole Hughes for her hard work and look forward to a tremendous partnership together," added Chris McCuiston, CEO & Co-Founder of Goldfish Swim School.

The AAP's updated recommendations specifically address the value of swim lessons at a young age, as Linda Quan, MD, FAAP, and co-author of the policy statement states in the release, "Research has found that swim lessons are beneficial for children starting around the age of one, and may lower drowning rates." The updates also stress the importance of vetting experienced swim lesson programs and well-trained instructors.

Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children ages four months to 12 years, teaching  more than 100,000 children how to be safer in and around the water. Each school offers swim lessons and programs using a proprietary philosophy, The Science of SwimPlay®, to build life skills both in and out of the water using play-based learning in a fun and safe environment. The franchise network spans more than 86 locations across North America and each school's number one focus and main priority is always the same – educating children on water safety while teaching them how to swim and respect the water.

"I firmly believe swim lessons would have saved my son, and I will forever regret not giving him a chance to fight for his life," said Hughes. "Drowning prevention requires layers of protection to keep the unimaginable from happening. Together, we can change the way our culture perceives water, spread awareness on the truths about drowning, and save our future children."

For more information on Goldfish Swim School and water safety, please visit https://www.goldfishswimschool.com/

About Goldfish Swim School
Founded by husband and wife team Chris and Jenny McCuiston, Goldfish Swim School provides swim lessons and water safety instruction to infants and children ages four months to 12 years. Classes are offered by specially trained instructors in a safe, child-friendly and fun environment using their research-based philosophy called The Science of SwimPlay®. Goldfish currently teaches more than 100,000 students per week to swim and be safer in and around the water. Headquartered in Troy, Michigan, Goldfish Swim School was established in Birmingham, Michigan in 2006, and opened its first franchise location in 2009. They are currently in the process of expanding franchise opportunities throughout North America, with 86 schools open, and an additional 100+  in development in more than 26 states and Canada.

Media Contact: Kelly McNamara, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300, [email protected]

SOURCE Goldfish Swim School