Float Like A Duck Presents Water Safety Hero Award to Rowdy Gaines 

The Float Like A Duck water safety initiative has recognized three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines with its Water Safety Hero Award for his leadership and advocacy in promoting water safety.

A two-time inductee into the International Swimming Hall of Fame, Gaines has used his platform as an athlete and broadcaster — often called the “Voice of Swimming” — to inspire participation in swimming and champion drowning prevention efforts. Since being appointed to lead the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance’s Step Into Swim initiative in 2021, Gaines has expanded access to swim lessons nationwide through partnerships with manufacturers and pool companies supporting grants for free swimming programs.

Float Like A Duck, a water safety initiative under Paragon Pools of Las Vegas, created the Water Safety Hero Award in 2020 to recognize people who demonstrate courage, passion and commitment to water safety. The award is presented in two categories: Performing a Lifesaving Act and Promotion of Water Safety. Gaines is the first recipient in the latter category.

Joseph M. Vassallo, PHTA fellow and founder of Float Like A Duck, presented the award to Gaines on Oct. 23 during the International Pool | Spa | Patio Expo in Las Vegas.

“Rowdy truly embodies the traits of a hero,” Vassallo says. “His passion for the sport and his resolve to provide swimming opportunities for the disadvantaged are truly honorable.”

Float Like A Duck has been a five-time recipient of PHTA’s Step Into Swim grants, which fund free swimming lessons for children across the Las Vegas Valley.

For more information, visit paragonpoolslv.com/water-safety-hero.