FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – AUGUST 23, 2018

400 YOUNG ATHLETES “TRI”  TO PREVENT DROWNING SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 IN THE 10TH ANNUAL COLIN’S HOPE KIDS TRIATHLON

At least 73 fatal drownings of Texas children, and 5 adults in Lake Travis alone, this year highlight the need for all Texans to be safer around water. Sadly, we also saw the drowning of Olympic skier Bode Miller’s daughter, Emmy in June and have lost Central Texas children and adults to drownings in all kinds of water from bathtubs to pools to open water.  It is estimated that 5x as many children survive a non-fatal drowning. We must END drowning.

Colin’s Hope is an Austin-based nonprofit with global reach formed a decade ago by Colin Holst’s family after Colin’s tragic drowning in a South Austin public life guarded swimming pool in 2008, and aims to END drowning in Central Texas.   They have enlisted young athletes and their families to help.

This Sunday, August 26, 400 young athletes ages 5-15 will swim, bike and run to honor Colin’s memory and the many other children lost to fatal drownings. The children will raise awareness and funds for Colin’s Hope. Many of the kids choose to “tri” for a particular child lost to a fatal drowning or for one who has survived a non-fatal drowning. The first wave of athletes (the Rookies age 5-6) will start the race, with the elite racers next, followed by the Juniors (ages 7-10) and Seniors (ages 11-15). They will swim then bike then run. All athletes receive a medal as they cross the finish line. There will be multiple families at the triathlon who have lost their children to drowning, as well as kids racing who have lost their sibling to a drowning. THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A RACE.

Race details here: http://www.colinshope.org/event/2018-colins-hope-kids-triathlon/

Colin’s parents, Jeff and Jana Holst, describe their motivation: “After Colin’s death, we learned our tragedy is the tragedy of many other families. Drowning is the number one cause of unintentional injury-related death for children under five and a leading cause of death for ages 1-14, BUT IT IS PREVENTABLE. Many people do not know that drowning is fast, silent and preventable or that nobody is drown proof. We are on a mission to get people talking about water safety and are asking them to BECOME A WATER GUARDIAN.”  Colin’s Hope has an online water safety quiz www.colinshope.org/quiz , a proven water safety educational program and resources to help keep children and families safer around water.

Alissa Magrum, Executive Director of Colin’s Hope added, “As we begin a new school year, imagine 2 empty school busses pull up to a school. The seats on those busses should have been filled with the Texas children who lost their lives to a drowning this year. 10 more full school busses pull up. These are all the children who survived a non-fatal drowning this year. It is unbearable to think about, as drowning is preventable. We will continue working 365 days a year to end drowning.  Our amazing group of young triathletes have been training all summer and are ready to cross the finish line having helped to save lives.”

This year’s triathlon is sponsored by the following generous organizations: Nitro Swimming, Bicycle Sport Shop, State Farm – Ben Archer, Mosquito Authority, The YMCA of Austin, Hamlin Home Team, Baylor, Scott and White, Hill Country Indoor, Learning Express, Greater Goods Roasting, Nada Moo, Clif Bar, Vistago Print, Lake Travis ISD, Lake Pointe Community Center

NEWS MEDIA CONTACT: Alissa Magrum, Executive Director, Colin’s Hope Cell: 512-294-3910 Email: [email protected]