Nominations are open for the Annual National Drowning Prevention Alliance Awards, an opportunity to recognize the incredible water safety and drowning prevention advocates in your community.

The National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) would like to recognize and honor some of these special individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations who work year-round to prevent drownings and other water-related tragedies.

At least one award will be given in each of the following six cate gories:

The Community Lifesaver Award — For individuals or organizations that have advanced the efforts of drowning prevention at the community level through education, research, public awareness, legislative changes, or engineering in the United States during the year prior to the Annual International Aquatics and Water Safety Conference.

The Ripple Award —

The NDPA Ripple Award is awarded to an individual or group whose involvement or cause has created a ripple that has influenced others to become more aware of water safety or become more involved in drowning prevention.

The Lifetime Achievement Award —

The NDPA Lifetime Achievement Award goes to a candidate (individual, group, or organization) that is deserving of recognition for their long-term efforts in drowning prevention and water safety.

The Lighthouse Award —

The NDPA Lighthouse Award is presented each year to a selected individual or organization that the NDPA leadership feels represents a beacon of water safety.

Emerging Water Safety Leader Award —

The purpose of this award is to identify a person who has been working in the water safety and drowning prevention field for five years or less and shows strong leadership and a commitment to learning and furthering the field.

The NDPA Champion Award —

The purpose of this award is to acknowledge and recognize an individual or group who has gone above and beyond to champion the NDPA as an organization.

Nominate someone you know — the simple online nomination form will take five minutes to fill out. Just state why your nominee deserves the award.

The nomination deadline is Friday, January 9, 2026.

All awards will be given at the NDPA Awards Ceremony during the International Aquatics and Water Safety Conference in Colorado Springs (The Broadmoor Hotel) on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at 5 p.m.

Click here to nominate the drowning prevention advocates in your community.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvlaLrLoTbn1tQqW1RgvnVZy3_2aJ75bl7v-vhuF7eWfGcKw/viewform