Ryan Murphy Returns to Jacksonville to Promote Swim Safety

Ryan Murphy, the Olympic gold medalist, returned to his hometown of Jacksonville to promote swim safety.

Murphy joined city leaders at Blue Cypress Pool in Arlington to launch the City of Jacksonville's annual summer swim safety initiative.

The campaign aims to reduce child drownings during the peak swimming season.

As a Jacksonville native, Murphy is committed to making a difference in his community.

"Drowning is the leading cause of preventable death for children ages one through five," Murphy said.

The initiative includes free swim assessments, outreach at local community centers, and water safety education events at public pools throughout the city.

Murphy also shared news about the recent opening of his Goldfish Swim School in St. Johns County.

The school offers year-round indoor lessons for children as young as four months old.

Mayor Donna Deegan attended the kickoff and emphasized the importance of swim skills, especially in Jacksonville.

"You want to have those skills to know how to swim if you need to," Deegan said.

The urgency behind the campaign is backed by sobering statistics, including 97 child drownings in Florida in 2023.

The Autism Society of Florida reported that 35 children with autism drowned in 2024, and 15 more have already lost their lives in 2025, as of July 19.

Murphy's Goldfish Swim School has plans to expand into Duval County.

"And who knows-if they turn into an Olympian one day, then that can be a perk," Murphy said with a smile.

But for now, the focus is on making sure kids are safe in the water.

The summer swim safety initiative is a crucial step towards preventing child drownings in Jacksonville.

Murphy's involvement is a significant boost to the campaign, bringing attention to the importance of swim safety.

As the initiative moves forward, Murphy's commitment to his community will undoubtedly make a positive impact.

The City of Jacksonville's summer swim safety initiative is set to make a difference in the lives of many children.

With Murphy's support, the campaign is sure to raise awareness about the importance of swim safety.