Bill Brenner – Keeping People in the Water: Swimming Beyond High School and College 

Bill Brenner, Director of Club and Coach Services for United States Master Swimming, emphasized the importance of transitioning young athletes into master swimmers. He highlighted the need to address the low retention rate of 37% among 18-24-year-olds, noting that only 3,270 out of 331,000 USA Swimming athletes participate in master swimming. Brenner suggested proactive recruitment strategies, such as engaging in social media and hosting events like stroke clinics. He also stressed the significance of adult aquatic fitness, citing a 13% chance of children learning to swim if their parents can't, and the need to reduce drownings by teaching adults to swim.