MIAMI - On Thursday, April 11th the Miami HEAT teamed up with Florida Blue, Sun Sports and the American Red Cross to host the 12th Annual HEAT April Pool’s Day at the Coral Gables’ Venetian Pool. The event served as the launch of the HEAT’s summer long “Learn to Swim” community swim safety campaign and officially kicked off the swim season in South Florida. HEAT players Joel Anthony and Mario Chalmers, along with the HEAT Dancers, got into the pool with children from the HEAT Academy’s Riverside Elementary School for a special swimming lesson under supervision of American Red Cross’ certified lifeguards. In addition, members of the Venetian Aquatic Club donated their services and provided water safety instructors to administer the swimming drills in the pool.
The event was kicked off by a press conference hosted by HEAT Television Host and Courtside Reporter Jason Jackson. Guest speakers included HEAT Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Michael McCullough, Senior Manager, Market Development for Florida Blue Fred Ariola, Media Relations Manager for FOX’s Sun Sports Eric Esteban, Aquatic Programs Coordinator for the American Red Cross Patrick Beason, City of Coral Gables Commissioner Frank Quesada and the Fox Sports Florida Girls.
With an abundance of bodies of water and residential swimming pools, the state of Florida has one of the highest rates of drowning deaths for children ages four and under. Broward County leads the state in toddler drowning deaths with Miami-Dade ranking second. Florida’s overall drowning death rate is ranked third in the entire United States. The effort launched a community-wide water safety awareness campaign that will continue through the summer months with surprise visits from HEAT players and talent to various pool locations throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
HEAT fans can also take advantage of a special $10 off swimming lesson coupon, provided in both English and Spanish, which will be available in select issues of the official game day program, TIPOFF, through the remainder of the season. The coupon can be redeemed at select authorized providers of the American Red Cross. The coupon is also available on HEAT.com.
For additional information and a detailed list of authorized American Red Cross swimming lessons providers, or to learn more about the HEAT Learn to Swim campaign, visit HEAT.com.