Phillips 66, USA Swimming team up on Olympic life-saving tour

Phillips 66 is once again diving into the pool with an impressive squad of U.S. Olympians to teach a key life-saving skill.

The company is the lead sponsor of USA Swimming’s Make a Splash Tour, which focuses on water safety and education and is back in person for the first time since 2019. The tour kicks off in Philadelphia on May 9, followed by events in Borger, Texas, on May 18 and Rodeo, California, on May 23.

“We recognize the importance of this critical, life-saving skill and are committed to working with the USA Swimming Foundation to raise awareness around water safety and teach children to swim,” said Claudia Kreisle, Director of Social Impact for Phillips 66.

The events will feature U.S. Olympians Rowdy Gaines, Cullen Jones, Missy Franklin, Elizabeth Beisel and Nathan Adrian.

Phillips 66 and the USA Swimming Foundation have collaborated for nearly 50 years to promote water safety and education. The Make a Splash campaign was recently featured in People magazine.

“We are so appreciative of Phillips 66’s continued support to increase water safety awareness in communities across the country,” USA Swimming Foundation Executive Director Lucinda McRoberts said.

Nearly 4,000 people drown every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death for people ages 1-14.

In-person Make a Splash events have been on hiatus since 2019 because of COVID-19. Over the past two years, a virtual campaign focused on water safety in the home and how lessons could safely take place with COVID-19 precautions.

Beisel, a two-time Olympic medalist who will be on hand at the events in Borger and Rodeo, said she is thrilled to be back in person teaching children valuable lessons they can use in the water.

 “I am beyond happy to be a small part of this amazing tour where we will change lives and impact communities,” Beisel said.