Fourth Annual Blue Mind Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thomas Lachocki, Ph.D., and the National Swimming Pool Foundation® (NSPF®) Receive the 4^th Annual Blue Mind Award at the World Aquatic Health^TM Conference

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – October 25, 2017 Dr. Wallace J Nichols presented the 4^th Annual Blue Mind Award to Doctor Thomas Lachocki of NSPF at the 14^th Annual World Aquatic Health™ Conference held in Denver, Colorado. The Blue Mind Award recognizes an individual and/or organization for efforts that mechanize positive change in their Blue community.

Dr. Lachocki, the National Swimming Pool Foundation team, and the entire World Aquatic Health Conference network have connected the dots between physical and mental health and an active aquatic lifestyle. Their leadership is changing for good the conversation about the value of clean, healthy water.

“We share the vision of a world where all people are confident and competent in the water and enjoy access to all the benefits this brings to themselves, their families, and their communities.” Says Dr. Wallace J Nichols, founder of Blue Mind. “We're proud to award the 4th Annual Blue Mind Award to these deserving recipients.”

Last year’s recipients, Sally Wright and Kathy Renfro of Carbondale, Illinois, were on hand to pass the award on to Lachocki. “It’s a little hard to let go of this deeply personal award which is symbolic of our work over the last decade, but we are happy to see Tom and his team recognized for their contribution to the world of water.”

Members of the Carbondale community and Parks and Recreation Department were presented with the award in 2016 for their work on the Carbondale Splash Park. The park ideation team included President of the Board of Commissioners Harvey Welch, an African American gentleman whose entire life was changed by his inability to swim as a child. His work within his community engaged leaders and residents alike in their quest to give everyone the opportunity to learn to swim, resulting in the Carbondale Splash Park.

Previous recipients of the award also include University of Virginia’s Professor of Sustainable Communities, Tim Beatley, for his work with Biophilic Cities around the world and his groundbreaking book, Blue Urbanism; and Van and Amanda Curaza of Operation Surf, an organization providing surf therapy for veterans throughout the United States and United Kingdom. The award is a large hand blown glass “blue marble” sphere created by Lundberg Studio in Davenport, CA and is passed to each subsequent recipient.

About Blue Mind

Blue Mind supports and advises those on the frontline of reconnecting people to water, sponsors the Annual Blue Mind Summit, the Annual Blue Mind Award, and shares their message around the world via a wide range of media, events, and workshops. 

About Dr. Wallace J. Nichols

Dr. Wallace "J." Nichols, called “Keeper of the Sea" by GQ Magazine and “a visionary" by Outside Magazine is an innovative, silo-busting, entrepreneurial scientist, movement maker, renown marine biologist, voracious Earth and idea explorer, wild water advocate, bestselling author, sought after lecturer, and fun-loving Dad. His experiences as a field research scientist, government consultant, founder and director of numerous businesses and nonprofit organizations, teacher, mentor, parent, and advisor all support his quest to build a stronger and more diverse blue movement. 

He has authored more than 200 scientific papers, technical reports, book chapters, and popular publications; lectured in more than 30 countries; and appeared in hundreds of print, film, radio, and television media outlets including NPR, BBC, PBS, CNN, MSNBC, National Geographic, Animal Planet, Time, Newsweek, GQ, Outside Magazine, Elle, Vogue, Fast Company, Surfer Magazine, Scientific American, and New Scientist, among others.

About the National Swimming Pool Foundation

We believe everything we do helps people live happier and healthier lives. Whether it’s encouraging more aquatic activity, making pools safer, or keeping pools open, we believe we can make a difference. To further this mission, in 2016 we combined forces with GENESIS, an educational leader for designers and builders of residential pools and spas. Together with GENESIS we offer products and programs that are technically sound, convenient, and beautifully designed. In 2012, we launched the Step Into Swim™ Campaign, a 10- year initiative to create one million more swimmers. Founded in 1965 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit and located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, NSPF proceeds go to fund education, research and to help create swimmers. Visit nspf.org, genesis3.com, stepintoswim.org, or call 719-540-9119 to learn more.

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