David Duda Receives Judge G. Harold Martin Award (VIDEO)

David Duda (right) with Jim Martin; Photo Courtesy: JM STREINER

David Duda has been an aquatic professional for 60+ years and has been active in Florida aquatics for 31 of those years. He is the founder and CEO of MDM Aquatics/ Safety Training & Consulting, working closely with many community clients including five cities (Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Dania Beach and Cooper City), Memorial Health Care Systems, Seminole Tribe of Florida and Seminole Hard Rock Casino.

Prior to moving to Florida, Dave spent four years in Family YMCA’s as an Aquatic Director. In the 1970’s his two children were born. He promoted a very important new aquatics program for infant and preschool swim lessons. With an emphasis in family learning, he was actively teaching swimming and safety lessons using his own children in demonstrating skills and water play. This successful program grew very quickly.

Dave’s expertise in efficiency in the water also played a great role in his successful coaching of swimming and diving at age group, high school and collegiate levels as well. In 1987, Dave accepted the Aquatics Manager position at FIU in North Miami where he partnered with the FIU Early Education Department to initiate a swim / safety program for their pre-school participants. He also collaborated with many aquatics professionals throughout Florida to promote aquatics lessons and develop strong teachers. He hosted three successful ARC National Aquatics Schools with 300+ participants earning various Red Cross certifications. Dave received the Greater Miami ARC Chapter “Volunteer of the Year” Award.

In 1992, Dave took an assignment as an Associate in Program Development at the ARC National Headquarters in Washington D.C. working on the WSI program update. Today, he is an active member of the Broward Drowning Prevention Task Force and regularly invites new aquatic professionals for involvement. He is a former member of International Swimming Hall of Fame Executive Advisory Committee. He has been involved in spring break aquatic instructor training at Ball State University, and summer swim lessons at American Heritage and Beacon Hill private schools.

His focus continues to help teach aquatic skills to children and mentor instructors in diverse populations in aquatics. He partners with Seminole Tribe of Florida to train and certify aquatics staff as well as promote swim lesson programs in their preschool. He recently consulted with Florida Kiwanis District Chair in Naples and helped develop a brochure for Every Child A Swimmer to distribute at their state convention. The ECAS outreach program partners with communities and families to help reduce child drownings.

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Paul Atkinson Dayton, Ohio

4 years ago

Congratulations Dave, a Honor well deserved!

Jeff Strata

4 years ago

Reply to Paul Atkinson Dayton, Ohio

Congratulations to my first swim coach !