2026 California Water Safety Summit

2026 California Water Safety Summit

The California Water Safety Summit is the annual flagship gathering for California’s water safety and drowning prevention community, intentionally designed to bring people together from different professions and geographies to network, share best practices, and work together on effective solutions to reduce the burden of drowning across the state.

The 2026 Summit will take place in Sacramento on April 15th and 16th, presented by the California Water Safety Coalition in partnership with the 2026 cohosts: the California Department of Public Health and California State Parks.

Over two days, attendees will participate in keynote addresses, panel discussions, and hands on workshop sessions covering a range of critical drowning prevention topics. Beyond learning, the Summit is a collaborative space that serves as an important opportunity to connect with water safety peers and colleagues, from grassroots organizations to local government to state agencies, fostering connections that drive real world impact.

This Summit is for anyone and everyone with an interest in drowning prevention and water safety. Join us in Sacramento to contribute, learn, meet new people, and help build a safer future around water for everyone in California! See below for important details on registration, logistics, and the summit program.

2026 Summit Cohosts

REGISTRATION

Important Registration Dates

• Early Bird Registration - December 8, 2025 to January 18, 2026

  • Individual Ticket = $150

• Regular Registration - January 19, 2026 to April 10, 2026

  • Individual Ticket = $200

• Last Minute Registration - April 10, 2026 to April 15, 2026

  • Individual Ticket = $300

Agenda

Day 1 - Wednesday, April 15th

Arrival, Registration, and Networking Breakfast

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Session 1

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM

Welcome Statements

California Water Safety Coalition & California Department of Public Health

Opening Keynote Address

Juan Heredia, Angels Recovery Dive Team

Sacramento's Drowning Risk and Response Landscape

Jennifer Rubin, Safe Kids Greater Sacramento Coalition / UC Davis Health

Captain Mark Nunez, Metro Fire

Zachary Corbo, Drowning Accident Rescue Team (DART)

Roll Call: Who is here?

Morning Coffee Break
10:30 – 11:00 AM
Coffee and selection of snacks

Session 2

11:00 AM -12:45 PM

Multicultural Community Programming: Strategies and Insights

Jennifer Rubin, Safe Kids Greater Sacramento Coalition / UC Davis Health

Ryan Harder, Fulton-El Camino Recreation & Park District

Malalai Safi, International Rescue Committee

River and Lake Safety

Lynsey Nunes, Sierra Rescue Group

Sara Kennedy, California Department of Parks and Recreation

Strengthening Drowning Data with the CDC Foundation

Representatives from the CDC Foundation

Lunch Break
12::45 – 13:45 PM

Session 3

1:45 - 3:15 PM

Financial Feasibility & Creativity: Designing Your Dream Program

Rob Williams, California Water Safety Coalition / Ben Carlson Foundation

Drew Kodelja, California Water Safety Coalition / YMCA San Francisco

Lance Timmons, Councilman Hunsaker / Aquatics for Life

From Champions to Legislation: How to Enact Policy & Create Change

Julie Lopiccolo, California Water Safety Coalition / Jasper Ray Foundation

Megan Ferraro, California Water Safety Coalition / The Zac Foundation

Kris Lev-Twombly, California State Alliance of YMCAs

Legislative Updates

Steve Barrow, CA Coalition for Children’s Safety and Health (CCCSH)

Afternoon Coffee Break
3:15 – 3:45 PM
Coffee and selection of snacks

Session 4

3:45 - 5:00 PM

Northern California Spotlight: Open Water Rescue

Sara Kennedy, California Department of Parks and Recreation

David McMurdie, California Recovery Divers

Technological Innovation to Enhance Prevention

Drew Kodelja, California Water Safety Coalition / YMCA San Francisco

James Wheeler, Hayward Area Recreation & Park District

Dr. Mark Simonian, California Water Safety Coalition / Water Safety Council of Fresno County

Douglas Grubbs, WaveAlert360

First Day Wrap Up

Sam Dieterman, California Water Safety Coalition / Huntington Beach Fire Department / Project Wipe Out, Hoag Hospital

Day 2 - Thursday, April 16th

Arrival, Registration, and Networking Breakfast

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM

Session 5

9:00 AM - 12:30 PM

Stewarding California's Water: Learning from Tribal Nations

Mariko Rooks, California Water Safety Coalition / CDC Foundation

Paddle Tribal Waters

From County to Country: Drowning Data at Every Level

Kristen Lewis, Orange County Fire Authority

Johnny Rezendes, California Department of Public Health (CDPH)

Acacia Clark, NWSAP Data Working Group

Innovative Youth Programming: Increasing Access to Water Through Play & Sport

Mariko Rooks, California Water Safety Coalition / CDC Foundation

Christopher Ragland, The Sea League

Asante Sefa-Boakye, Blackstar Polo

Cristina Alvarado, Rose Bowl Aquatics

Regional Breakout Session

Lunch Break
12:30 – 1:30 PM

Session 6

Your California Government: Office Hours with State Departments

The CDC Foundation's Understanding and Preventing Drowning Initiative

Looking Ahead

Julie Lopiccolo, California Water Safety Coalition / Jasper Ray Foundation

Afternoon Coffee Break/Networking-Connecting
4:00 – 4:30 PM
Coffee and selection of snacks

Logistics

Venue

California Department of Public Health Headquarters (East End Complex)
1500 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95814
(Click here for Google Maps)

Parking

Parking is limited around the State Capitol. We strongly recommend walking, biking, or taking public transit. Here is a list of parking garages near the venue. You can also review the City of Sacramento’s parking map for other options.

• 1601 L Street

• 1801 L Street

• 16th and O St: Legado de Ravel Lot North and Legado de Ravel Lot South

• Old Soul Coffee: Arrive before 9 am, 1716 L St, Sacramento, CA 95811

Travel

• The Sacramento Airport (SMF) is approximately 20 - 30 minutes from the Summit venue.

• The Sacramento Valley Station (Amtrak) is approximately 10 minutes from the Summit venue.

• There are several Sacramento Regional Transit Stations within walking distance of the venue.

• Bike parking is available on site.

Hotels

There are a range of hotel options within walking distance of the Summit venue. Participants are encouraged to make there reservations early. Here are a few recommended options:

• Residence Inn by Marriott Sacramento Downtown at Capitol Park (0.2 miles)

• Hyatt Regency (0.3 miles)

• American Inn (0.5 miles)

• Econo Lodge Sacramento Convention Center (0.5 miles)

• Sheraton Grand (0.6 miles)

• The Citizen Hotel (0.7 miles)

• Hyatt Centric (0.8 miles)

• The Fort Sutter Sacramento, Tapestry Collection by Hilton (0.9 miles)

• Hyatt House Sacramento/Midtown (1.0 miles)

• Midtowner Hotel (1.1 miles)

• AC Hotel By Marriott Sacramento (1.1 miles)

• Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown-Arena by IHG (1.2 miles)

• Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade (1.3 miles)

Call for 2026 Summit Sponsors!

In the interest of maximizing The California Water Safety Summit, registration fees are heavily subsidized to maximize access to this important event. If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring the 2026 Summit in Sacramento, please see the sponsorship packet here.

For questions please reach out to info@cawatersafety.org

Platinum Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Bronze Sponsor

Life Saver Sponsor

James Wheeler