With thousands of swimmers served, three public pools reopened, and a decade of community-driven success behind them, the Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation is diving into its 10th-anniversary celebration. To celebrate, they’re bringing Olympic gold medalist Cody Miller along for the event.
The Emerald Coast Fitness Foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary on May 17. The nonprofit, which operates three public pools across Fort Walton Beach and Destin, has served more than 5,000 swimmers annually since opening its first facility in 2014.
To mark the milestone, the foundation is hosting a day of swim-focused festivities at the Taj Renee Community Aquatic Center in Destin.
Miller, best known for winning gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics and building a massive following on YouTube, will lead youth swim clinics, greet families at a public pool party, and headline a cocktail social that evening.
“I’m looking forward to watching him bring his expertise to local swimmers,” said ECFF’s board president, Kevin Leibold.
ECFF co-founder Kathi Heapy, a fellow Indiana University swimmer, reached out to Miller earlier this year after following his videos. She said his quick response and willingness to support the mission “felt like a natural fit.”
The foundation teaches over 1,000 people to swim annually, including adaptive swim programs launched in 2024. It also provides practice space for over a dozen youth teams. It runs on community support, including long-time sponsor Tim Smith Acura, which returns this year as the presenting sponsor.
An online auction will also support ECFF’s work, with bidding open from May 10 through May 17.
Learn more or donate at ecfitnessfoundation.org.
We love to bring you, and all of your neighbors, the news for free – it’s a part of who we are. But just because something is free doesn’t mean it’s cheap.
Your sustaining donation of just $10 per month helps us keep the powerful accountable and make the mortgage on time. If you notice you keep coming back for more stories from us – please consider supporting our work so we can do it for the long haul (and not be homeless).
Register or login with Mid Bay News and never get another pop up on our site!
