Safety: Why Every Life Skill Begins in the Water
Long before the Cady Way Pool existed, the land where it sits today was the home of the Showalter Airpark.
After World War II, Howard Showalter and his brother and cousin (all war veterans) opened a small airfield on this very property. The trio offered flying lessons for many Winter Park residents and later serviced Elvis, Howard Hughes and Walt Disney.
Image courtesy of the Winter Park History Museum.
But aviation was not the only part of Howard Showalter’s story.
As a young man back in Virginia, Howard worked as a lifeguard, and later, at 52 years of age, his training kicked in during a trip to New Smyrna Beach.
A young boy, Anthony J. Woodruff, began to struggle in the water. Seeing the distress, Showalter did what lifeguards are trained to do—he charged in after the swimmer, reaching him before any beach lifeguards could.
Howard successfully rescued Anthony, pushing him to safety, but in the process, Howard drowned.
His sacrifice saved a life, and his actions were honored with a Carnegie Hero Award.
Today, few people realize that the land where families now gather to swim, learn, and train carries the legacy of someone who gave his life protecting another person in the water.
It is a sobering reminder that in a state surrounded by water water safety is not optional—it is essential.
🛟 Safety Is Our First Pillar
Here at the Winter Park Blue Dolfins Foundation, safety is the first and most fundamental pillar of our mission.
Drowning remains the leading cause of accidental death for children under age 4, and far too many adults lack the basic swim skills needed to stay safe in pools, lakes, and oceans. In Florida—where water is part of everyday life—this challenge is especially urgent.
Our goal is simple but powerful:
Every child and adult in our community should know how to swim and feel confident in the water.
👉 How We Are Advancing Water Safety
Through partnerships and programs, the Blue Dolfins Foundation works to expand access to lifesaving swim education throughout our community.
✅ Monthly Free Swim Lessons
During the warm months, we host free swim lessons and water safety programs for children and adults, ensuring that financial barriers never prevent someone from learning these critical skills. Click here for more info.
✅ Learn-to-Swim Programs
Working in partnership with the City of Winter Park, we support structured learn-to-swim programs that help swimmers of all ages build confidence and competence in the water.
✅ Community Water Safety Awareness
Water safety is a shared responsibility. We collaborate with organizations including:
City of Winter Park
Local Orange County Schools
Down Syndrome Swimming
Together, we help spread awareness about drowning prevention and the importance of early swim education.
💕 And we’re thankful for Winter Park residents like Melissa Mishoe, whose grandfather was an Olympic swimmer, for her dedication and passion for young children learning to swim.
💪 Carrying the Legacy Forward
Howard Showalter’s story reminds us that knowing how to swim—and knowing how to help others safely—can mean the difference between life and death.
→ Every child who learns to float.
→ Every adult who gains confidence in the water.
→ Every family that understands water safety.
Each of these moments creates a ripple effect that spreads through our entire community: Stronger communities start in the water!
At the future Cady Way aquatic complex, we envision a place where safety comes first—where swimmers of every age and ability can learn the skills that protect lives.
Because the strongest communities begin with people who know how to care for one another.
And sometimes, that care begins in the water!