Presented for long and exceptional leadership, insight and dedication to the water safety of children and the cause of making Every Child A Swimmer.

James S. O'Connor

2022

Jim O’Connor s committed to the prevention of aquatic accidents and teaching children to swim.

David S. Duda (USA)

2019

David Duda has been an aquatic professional for 60+ years

Lana Whitehead (USA)

2018

Lana Whitehead has owned and operated SWIMkids USA for 43 years.

Dr. Klaus Wilkens (GER)

2017

Dr. Wilken’s voluntary lifesaving activities are numerous at the national level in Germany.

Dr. Jane Katz

2016

Dr. Jane Katz has taught thousands of students about the benefits of water fitness at the City University of New York since 1964.

Johnny & Cindy Johnson - Blue Buoy Swim School

2015

Johnny and Cindy Johnson are owners of Blue Buoy Swim School in Tustin, California.

Barry Shaw

2014

Barry Shaw began his career with Every Child a Swimmer as a Director, but soon became Vice President.

Kim Burgess

2013

Since 2011, Kim Burgess has been the founder and Executive Director of the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, a field in which she has been involved for over twenty years.

Ken Roland

2012

Ken Roland is renowned as one of the preeminent instructors in the nation.

Robert E. Ogoreuc

2011

Robert E. Ogoreuc served as the Head Men’s and Women’s Swimming Coach from 1991 to 2003.

Russell "Rusty" Owens

2010

For the past fifty years, "Rusty" Owens has taught and coached swimming to generations of families, including thousands of children and adults in the Central Pennsylvania, Harrisburg area.

Joy McGinty

2008

Joy McGinty has dedicated her life to keeping infants safe by teaching them to swim. She has taught over 15,000 children through 500,000 lessons!

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

2007

Debbie Wasserman Schultz was the youngest woman ever elected to the Florida State Legislature at the age of 26

Dennis Carey

2006

George Olsen

2005

Yoshiko Sugahara

2004

James R. Martin

2003

Edd Kreiling

2002

2001

Jim Stump, Seagull Productions

2000

Lynn Rickert

Edd Kreiling

1999

John Fletemeyer

1998

George Hartman

1997

T. Denis Jotcham

1996