#United States #Troy #water safety #Goldfish Swim School #AAP

Goldfish Swim School Joins Forces with AAP for Child Safety

Goldfish Swim School, recognized as North America's leading swim school franchise, is excited to announce its inaugural membership in the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) newly formed Injury Prevention Assembly. This significant collaboration aims to unite expert voices from medicine, safety, and youth education to implement science-based strategies for minimizing preventable childhood injuries, particularly drowning.

Drowning remains a critical concern, being the foremost cause of injury-related deaths for children aged 1 to 4, and the second leading cause for those aged 5 to 14. With this backdrop, Goldfish Swim School’s commitment further solidifies its dedication to water safety and education. By exchanging knowledge with pediatricians and safety professionals, the school seeks to amplify its training and outreach programs within the community.

Chris McCuiston, the Co-Founder and CEO of Goldfish Swim School, emphasizes the importance of sharing knowledge about aquatic safety, stating, "At Goldfish Swim School, we are fiercely committed to sharing water safety information and swim education to keep kids and families safer in and around water." He expresses enthusiasm at being included in the AAP's initiative, as it offers the swim school a chance to collaborate with medical experts and create effective strategies to enhance drowning prevention.

The AAP’s Injury Prevention Assembly is designed to gather pediatricians, researchers, and safety industry leaders who are dedicated to implementing evidence-based practices that will ultimately improve child safety. By focusing on emerging trends in safety, analyzing injury statistics, and promoting safety education, the assembly aims to empower families to make informed decisions regarding their children's safety.

Goldfish Swim School's involvement in this initiative highlights its ongoing relationship with the AAP. Notably, Dr. Molly O'Shea, who serves as Goldfish Swim School's official pediatric advisor and is also part of the AAP's Michigan Chapter, aims to bridge pediatric expertise with practical safety education in various communities. Dr. O'Shea asserts that formal swim lessons can reduce the risk of drowning by as much as 88%. This statistic underscores the critical nature of early swim education in cultivating lifelong water safety habits.

"By combining the AAP's medical insight with our in-water experience, we can help families understand how preventable drowning is and how vital swim education is from an early age," says Dr. O'Shea.

As an inaugural member, Goldfish Swim School commits to participating in future discussions and initiatives aimed at augmenting safety standards across the nation. Their goal is to extend their influence beyond swimming pools and contribute to broader public health dialogues concerning childhood safety.

Families interested in learning more about water safety can visit Goldfish Swim School's website for crucial resources and to locate nearby schools. Founded in 2006 in Troy, Michigan, by husband-and-wife duo Chris and Jenny McCuiston, Goldfish Swim School offers swim lessons to infants and children aged four months to twelve years, with a research-driven approach using their signature philosophy, The Science of SwimPlay®. Since franchising in 2009, Goldfish Swim School has expanded impressively, boasting over 190 locations across 35 states and parts of Canada, with an additional 130 more in development. Recently awarded the title of the No. 1 swimming lessons franchise for nine years running, Goldfish Swim School is also recognized in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list for 2025, further exemplifying its significant impact in the industry.