International Swimming Hall of Fame Recognizes Water Safety Leaders
The International Swimming Hall of Fame honored two leaders in water safety during its 2025 Aquatic & Specialty Awards and 2024 Masters Induction Ceremony on Sept. 13 in Fort Lauderdale.
Barry Goldwater Jr. received the Judge G. Harold Martin Every Child a Swimmer Award for his role in advancing Every Child a Swimmer legislation in Arizona, which aims to ensure all children have access to swim lessons. Lisa Zarda, executive director of the United States Swim School Association, was presented with ISHOF’s 2025 Aquatic Award for Water Safety in recognition of her work expanding swim education nationwide.
“If these honorees had never learned to swim, they would not have excelled in their specific area,” says Casey McGovern, executive director of ECAS. “That is why the work we’re doing with Every Child a Swimmer is so important.”
The ceremony, which celebrated athletes and aquatic leaders, also highlighted the growing reach of ECAS. New York and California recently adopted the legislation, with final approval pending the governors’ signatures.
