Spotlight With David Daggett: Summer Safety Tips
As someone who’s competed in 34 IRONMAN triathlons—2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and a full marathon— and 220 triathlons, I’ve learned fast that summer heat isn’t something you can enjoy without planning for the elements first. Whether you’re exploring the trails at Salem Lake, hiking Pilot Mountain, walking the Greenway, or taking […]
As someone who’s competed in 34 IRONMAN triathlons—2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and a full marathon— and 220 triathlons, I’ve learned fast that summer heat isn’t something you can enjoy without planning for the elements first.
Whether you’re exploring the trails at Salem Lake, hiking Pilot Mountain, walking the Greenway, or taking your family to the coast, the basics matter: stay hydrated, wear light clothing, and don’t underestimate the heat. I’ve seen elite athletes sidelined by heat exhaustion simply because they didn’t listen to their bodies.
Swimming safety is a big one—but here’s the good news: we’re making progress! While drowning remains one of the leading causes of death for children, more families today are gaining access to swim lessons and water safety education than ever before. As an athlete, I’ve learned to never go swimming alone, to respect the conditions, and to treat water with both joy and caution. Seeing more kids build confidence in the water isn’t just life-saving—it’s life-changing. Every lesson learned is a step toward safer summers for all of us.
The YMCA is a great resource for wholesome, safe summer fun. This summer the Safe Sober Teen Center by Daggett Shuler will be used for the YMCA’s summer day camps indoor fun. We are thankful for the versatility the Teen Center offers. It’s giving young people something to do, somewhere safe to grow, learn, and helps them stay on a positive path. That’s community safely in action!
Another great summer activity, also known as my favorite weekend of the year, is coming up and—big surprise—it involves my favorite sport of all time, a triathlon! The Smiley Triathlon Festival 2025 will be on July 26th and 27th and features the Kids for Kids Triathlon for children ages 7-15 on Saturday and the Smiley Sprint Triathlon for adults on Sunday. The Kids Race is nationally acclaimed and is highlighted this year as one of the best kids races in the country by USA Triathlon. Visit SmileyTriathlonFestival.com and join us!
This summer, I encourage everyone to put safety at the top of your checklist. We all benefit from strong, healthy neighborhoods. While I’ve trained my body to go the distance, the truth is, long-term wellness is about consistency, not intensity.
Stay cool. Stay ready. And as always—bring someone along for the journey.
