2025 California Water Safety Summit

2025 California Water Safety Summit Recap Statement

On March 4th and 5th, over 200 drowning prevention and water safety advocates gathered in Huntington Beach for the 2025 California Water Safety Summit. This was the 5th edition of the Summit, California’s peak drowning prevention conference designed to bring people together from different professions and geographies to network, share best practices, and work together on effective solutions to reduce the burden of drowning across the state. The California Water Safety Summit is an initiative of the California Water Safety Coalition, this year in collaboration with local host - the Huntington Beach Fire Department, Marine Safety Division. 

The Summit agenda included a variety of presentations and panel discussions covering a wide range of topics, starting with a welcome panel focused on the leading drowning prevention work happening in the City of Huntington Beach. The Summit featured keynote addresses from world-leading drowning researcher Dr. Amy Peden from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, who shared lessons from Australia’s river-focused drowning prevention journey over the last 15 years; and US Paralympic swimming medalist Jamal Hill, athlete, advocate, founder, and aquatics consultant who highlighted the power of teamwork and connection to story in making a difference in our communities. The full summit agenda, bios of keynote speakers, and photo album from the event is available below this short summary.

The two-day gathering also included deep dive panel discussions on expanding access to swim education to ensure no kids miss out on the opportunity to become water competent, partnership with schools and school districts to reach the next generation, multisectoral collaboration and collective action in drowning prevention, and the role of data and story in advancing meaningful action and motivating communities. Breakout workshop sessions also engaged Summit participants on a several different topics including the CA Senate Bill 855 effort to strengthen drowning data and provide recommendations on pool safety, working with schools, how to navigate grants for water safety, practice and pitch a message to the media, partnering with communities to build relationships and advance action, and local topics with participants gathering by by county/region to plan and coordinate collaborative local efforts.

Summit attendees were asked to submit their major take-aways and reflections from the sessions, hallway and table-top conversations, breakout sessions, brainstorms and overall experience at the Summit. As we close the 2025 California Water Safety Summit, we highlight the following major themes for reflection and action over the next year before we convene again in Sacramento for the 2026 California Water Safety Summit. 

1. Collaboration & Connection – Continuing dedicated efforts to strengthen relationships across sectors and with a diverse array of stakeholders is essential for unified and impactful drowning prevention and water safety efforts. While not always easy, a multisectoral approach is likely to be most effective in addressing the complex drowning problems in California. 

2. Expanding the Network – Identifying and engaging missing voices is key to broadening our collective impact. It was clear from this Summit that elected officials, business and industry, schools and school districts, and those responsible for rivers and river safety are priority stakeholders to bring into the conversation. We must engage in a focused effort to bring new stakeholders into the Coalition’s network and broader conversations.

3. Data-Driven Action – Reliable data, improved reporting, and sustained surveillance systems are critical to shaping effective policies and programs, monitoring and evaluating progress, and allocating resources. Encouraging improvements in data collection, sharing, and use across agencies, local governments, and state departments will lead to better insights and outcomes. Institutionalizing the SB 855 Drowning Data Collection program at the California Department of Public Health is an essential priority for California's drowning prevention and water safety community.

4. The Power of Storytelling – Narratives help inspire action, shift mindsets, and make drowning prevention efforts more relatable and compelling. From sharing family experiences to leveraging athletes and prominent community voices, our work is enhanced by strategic messaging that connects emotionally. 

5. Policy & Legislation – Advocacy for stronger policies and legislative measures is crucial for systemic change in water safety. Summit participants indicated strong support for the California Water Safety Coalition Board of Director’s decision to carefully guide the Coalition network toward action in this space. Next steps include development of a policy framework and advocacy protocol, updates and opportunities for input will be communicated as this process continues.

6. Education Partnerships – Schools and educators play a vital role in equipping the next generation with essential water safety knowledge and skills. Summit participants discussed partnerships with schools and school districts in multiple sessions, especially related to the provision of swimming lessons. With multiple excellent programs from around the state as models, it is clear that local approaches are paramount to school partnerships as the champions, stakeholders, facilitators and barriers are different from place to place. Continued focus on working with schools to ensure every kid learns to swim is a priority for all.

The California Water Safety Summit is the coming together of many different groups: ocean lifeguards, aquatic facility staff, swim teachers, researchers, those associated with community focused and family for purpose organizations, health and public health professionals, business and industry leaders, and many others with some nexus to drowning prevention and water safety. This event, and the California Water Safety Coalition as a whole, is based on the strong belief that we are strongest together. That we approach problems and think through solutions differently is a feature not a flaw. To this end, we thank the participants for their continued dedication to water safety and drowning prevention and for engaging in meaningful, open dialogue about how we can have a positive impact, together. 

With great appreciation and gratitude, the California Water Safety Coalition would like to recognize and thank the Summit sponsors and exhibitors, whose support significantly offsets the registration fee charged to attendees. We would also like to thank 2025 California Water Safety Summit local hosts, the Huntington Beach Fire Department - Marine Safety Division. The 2025 Summit planning committee consisted of Will Koon, Rob Williams, Lydie Gutfeld, Leslie Shwene, Samantha Dieterman, and Coral Kemp - thank you for your role in organizing and coordinating a fantastic event!

About the 2025 Keynote Speakers

Amy Peden PhD
Senior Research Fellow | School of Population Health, Faculty of Medicine, UNSW Sydney

Jamal Hill
Paralympic Swimming Medalist | Founder, Swim Up Hill Foundation | Managing Director, Aquatics Today

Agenda

Day 1 - Tuesday, March 4th

Arrival, Registration, and Networking Breakfast
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast burritos provided by Love at First Bite
Sponsored by the Prevent Drowning Foundation of San Diego

Session 1
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Welcome Statements

Huntington Beach Highlight Panel Discussion
Deputy Chief Darrin Witt, Huntington Beach Fire Department - Operations & Emergency Response
Division Chief Eric Dieterman, Huntington Beach Fire Department – Marine Safety
Ashley Wysocki , Huntington Beach Community and Library Services
Jenna Landero, Ocean View School District

Opening Keynote Address
From Data to Action: Lessons from Australia’s River Drowning Prevention Journey
Dr. Amy Peden, UNSW Sydney

Morning Coffee Break
10:30 AM – 11:00 AM
Coffee and selection of snacks
Sponsored by Aqua-Tots Swim School

Session 2
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) Update on SB855 Drowning Data Project
Dr. Orion Stewart, CDPH

Ensuring No Kid Misses Out: Expanded Access to Swim Lessons Panel Discussion
Anita Scott, YMCA of San Diego County
Drew Kodelja, YMCA of Greater San Francisco
Michael Schicora, City of San Bernardino

Reaching the Next Generation: School Partnerships and Programs Panel Discussion
Christy Flores, Newport-Mesa Unified School District
Ashley Anderson, Newport-Mesa Unified School District Trustee
Sinthya Carranza, City of San Diego
Kylee Yocky, Long Beach Fire Dept. - Marine Safety Division

Lunch
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Selection of wraps and salads provided by Love at First Bite
Sponsored by The Jasper Ray Foundation

Session 3 – Breakouts
1:00 PM – 2:15 PM

Breakout 3A – Drowning Prevention School Programs Workshop
Facilitated by Julie Lopiccolo, Jasper Ray Foundation and Karen Cohn,
The ZAC Foundation

Breakout 3B – Drowning Data Workshop
Facilitated by the California Department of Public Health

Session 4 – Breakouts
2:15 – 3:30 PM

Breakout 4A – Media Training for Drowning Prevention and Water Safety
Facilitated by Dr. Amy Peden, UNSW Sydney, and Stephanie Elam, CNN/Diversity in Aquatics

Breakout 4B – Establishing Recommendations to Improve Pool Safety for the California Legislature
Facilitated by the California Department of Public Health

Breakout 4C – Demystifying the Grant Process
Facilitated by Leslie Schwene, Huntington Beach Fire Department - Marine Safety Division

Afternoon Coffee Break
3:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Coffee and selection of snacks
Sponsored by Waterman

Session 5
4:00 PM – 5:00PM

Last Seat on the Drowning Prevention Lifeboat
A fun and entertaining Day 1 closing session to explore the multisectoral nature of drowning prevention and the different stakeholders that comprise our sector.

Networking Social at the Huntington Beach Senior Center
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Sponsored by the Ben Carlson Memorial and Scholarship Foundation
The California Water Safety Summit Day One Networking Social is back! At the close of day one, all Summit attendees are invited to join us for a Networking Social on the patio of the Huntington Beach Senior Center, less than a 10 minute walk from the Summit venue. Beverages and light food will be served, and we will enjoy the legendary sounds and good vibes of famed Huntington Beach Lifeguard Band - Crew 52! Make sure you plan to join us for this fun and relaxed opportunity to connect with drowning prevention colleagues from across the state

Day 2 - Wednesday, March 5th

Arrival and Networking Breakfast
8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Breakfast burritos provided by Love at First Bite
Sponsored by Blue Buoy Swim School

Session 6
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Rapid Fire Mini Presentations
Alaska Drowning Surveillance: Ana Chavez, Alaska Department of Public Health / CDC Foundation
Arunay’s Story: Sonali Patodia, Arunay Foundation
Water Polo From San Diego to Ghana: Prince Kofi Asante Sefa-Boakye, Black Star Polo

From Data to Action Panel Discussion
Dr. Amy Peden, UNSW Sydney
Dr. Phyllis Agran MD, UC Irvine / American Academy of Pediatrics
Mariko Rooks, CA Dept. of Public Health / CDC Foundaiton

From Story to Action
Spencer Pirdy, Ben Carlson Memorial and Scholarship Foundation

Break and Transition
10:00 AM - 10:15AM

Session 7
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM

The Ripple Model: Partnering with Community to Advance Water Safety
Dr. Miriam Lynch, Diversity in Aquatics
John Abdou, California Water Safety Coalition / UC Irvine
Lydie Gutfeld, California Water Safety Coalition / City of Placentia

Break and Transition
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM
Coffee and selection of snacks

Session 8
11:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Regional Breakout Sessions
Summit attendees will gather with people from their counties / regions to network, plan joint activities including local proclamations, and explore other opportunities collaboration.
Template for Drowning Prevention Proclamation

Lunch
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM
Lemmon roasted chicken, selection of vegetables, and salads provided by Love at First Bite
Sponsored by The ZAC Foundation

Session 9
1:45 PM – 3:30 PM
Closing Keynote Address
From Paralympic Podiums to Public Pool Lifeguard Recruitment: Inspiring Action with the Power of Story
Jamal Hill, US Paralympic Medalist, CEO of Swim Up Hill Foundation

California Water Safety Coalition Updates
Interactive session to co-develop the big takeaways from the Summit and provide updates on CWSC activities 2025 organizational strategic framework

Thank You 2025 Summit Sponsors!

Platinum Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Exhibitors

Lifesaver Sponsors

Ron Bregman and Bregman Family Trust

Thank you Sponsors!

The California Water Safety Summit registration fees are heavily subsidized to maximize access to this important event. Thank you to everyone who supported the event.