The Float Like a Duck water safety initiative launched the “Learning to swim, led me to...” campaign to inform and inspire youth about exciting adventures and career opportunities enjoyed from learning how to swim.
The multi-series video campaign showcases a wide range of individuals and groups from around the Southern Nevada community who credit their path to personal growth, success and accomplishments in sports, academics, recreational activities and careers from learning to swim. The first of the series, "Our Friends," was released Memorial Day Weekend in conjunction with National Water Safety Month and the 14th annual Float Like A Duck event.
Program presenter and water safety activist Joseph Vassallo and his sidekick Duckie the Mascot introduce the video. Publicist Mary Vail, creator and producer, is assisted by KOI Visual, who provided videography, editing and sound.
“Swimming builds physical strength and endurance,” Vassallo says. “Achieving the ability to swim also builds character and bolsters one’s confidence to try other activities.”
Over two-dozen individuals and groups welcomed the opportunity to share how swimming played an integral part in their career, life and lifestyle, volunteering their time and talent to encourage others with positive messages about swimming. Participants were named official Aqua Ambassadors for their participation in the videos. These individuals include a dolphin care supervisor, robotic surgeon, competitive swimmers, military personnel, professional mermaids, water polo players, synchronized swimmers, pool personnel, swimming coaches, show performers, first responders, a scuba diver and others.
“Swimming is a fundamental skill for any aquatic recreational activity,” Vassallo says. “It is also an important and often required skill set for many jobs and careers.” For Vassallo, swimming was a mandatory skill needed to join the Marine Reserves in his early 20’s.
Additional videos will be released throughout the summer to continue promoting safety through the value of swimming. As part of the series, several foreign language segments were produced including a Spanish version for distribution on the Spanish airwaves.
A long-time community partner with the Float Like A Duck initiative, Children’s Hospital of Nevada at UMC worked closely with the production team to produce the Spanish PSA. In this version, Evelia Olivero, community relations coordinator at UMC, introduces the PSA and is accompanied by Captain Sergio Reynoso with the North Las Vegas Fire Department and Francesca Schutte, swim coach and lifeguard at the SkyView YMCA.
Vassallo and Duckie encourage swimming across the globe and want to hear other’s stories on how swimming has played a part in their life. The duo invite friends and fans on social media to share their personal message in photos or video on Facebook and Twitter.
For more information about Float Like a Duck go to paragonpoolslv.com.
