National Drowning Prevention Alliance Honors Two Water Safety Advocates
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) honored two Water Safety Champions in June — Matthew Struble, a recent graduate of Edgewood Jr/Sr High School in Merritt Island, Florida, and actor, author and four-time Olympic gold medalist for diving, Greg Louganis.
NDPA’s Water Safety Champion designation is part of its ongoing campaign to recognize those helping to prevent drowning while sending the message that we all need to keep one another safe while in and around water, especially children. Struble, an 18-year-old from Brevard County, Florida, was chosen for creating a water safety program for children as part of his senior year project. The program is now being considered for roll-out to local schools throughout the county.
“NDPA strongly advocates the five layers of protection because we know one or two water safety strategies are not sufficient,” says Adam Katchmarchi, executive director of the NDPA. “Struble’s program touches on all five layers. He is an exemplary young man who is committed to helping others and will no doubt save lives through his efforts.”
Struble’s senior project was to present a research paper as well as plan and seek approval from the school district for his project. He used his Red Cross training and his mentors to craft an appropriate model for children. Struble reached out to local elementary schools and presented the program to 1st-5th graders.
The elementary schools where he presented have already asked him to return next year, and he is gathering results that will help lead to a future expansion of the program, with the hope that it be adopted county-wide.
“Matthew is an extraordinary young man who has a heart for service, says Jacqueline Ingratta, principal at Edgewood Jr/Sr High School. “This type of service is so important and can be lifesaving. I could not be prouder of him and his accomplishments.”
Struble caught the attention of Louganis, who is working with NDPA this summer as part of the organization’s Water Safety Champion campaign to help spread the word about drowning prevention. The two recently met virtually to share what it means to be a water safety advocate and talk about Struble’s work.
“You can’t be an Olympic champion without having water competency, which is why I also applaud what Struble is doing in his community,” Louganis says. “He is making a huge difference in the lives of kids, helping them have fun in the water but also know how to stay safe.”
Struble has been a competitive swimmer since age five. He received his Red Cross WSI certification two years ago and has worked as a certified swim instructor for the City of Satellite Beach for the past two summers and will continue his employment this summer.
Matthew was motivated to create the water safety program as his senior high school project after seeing both peers and children not understand the risks of being around the water. Living in Florida, where the community is surrounded by the ocean, rivers and pools, Matthew felt it was important to find a way to help people learn more about water safety.
“Being aware of the water matters,” says Struble, who will be attending NOVA Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this fall. “I grew up around water and I know first-hand how important it is to understand both the benefits and the potential dangers, whether it’s a pool, beach or even a water park.”
