Aug. 7, 2008

Councilman Claude Mattox Kicks Off Kids Saving Kids Relay

More than 220 swimmers from Arizona will attempt to break the current Guinness World Record one-hour relay swim from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 10, at Paradise Valley Pool, 17648 N. 40th St. (north of 40th Street and Bell Road).

Councilman Mattox, a huge advocate for water safety and a former competitive swimmer, will kick off the relay race by being the first swimmer beginning at 7:30 a.m. “I have spent years promoting the message of water safety and drowning prevention. I’m honored to be a part of this history-making event during the month of August, which is Drowning Impact Awareness Month. Drowning is the leading cause of death for infant and young children in our state and it’s 100 percent preventable. As a city, we must educate and continue to spread this life-saving message to residents,” said Mattox.

Joe Zemaitis, founder and president of the Foundation for Aquatic Safety and Training (FAST), is organizing the event as a way to raise awareness of water safety and drowning prevention. FAST is about kids saving kids; young swimmers serve as ambassadors or “FAST Talkers” and conduct community outreach to various schools to educate kids about water safety. “When kids get involved, their lives and the lives of those they touch change in the process. If our event can save one child from drowning or near drowning, all of the work will have been worth it,” said Zemaitis.

For more information on FAST, visit thefastfoundation.org.

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