CDC’s Healthy Swimming 2011 Video Contest

Winner of CDC’s Healthy Swimming 2011 Video Contest Announced!

CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program is pleased to announce the winner of its first video contest: Recreational Water Illness Police by David Matthews.

David Matthews of Vicksburg, Mississippi heard about the contest when his relative, Jane Flowers, forwarded him the contest link because she knew he worked in production. David works as a director and director of photography for an advertising and production company. David’s brother, Aaron, wanted to enter the contest, and after asking other friends and family members, the crew was assembled. A week later, David was filmed slapping handcuffs on Aaron for the final shot.

David and Aaron wanted to create a funny video that used all the CDC Healthy Swimming messages within the confines of a 60-second time limit. The production was roughly 4 hours long and yielded approximately 45 minutes of footage on two cameras. David also spent time editing and encouraging people on Facebook to vote. His hard work and creativity paid off as winner of CDC’s Healthy Swimming Video Contest. Congratulations, David!

Watch "Recreational Water Illness Police:"

To learn more about the 2011 Healthy Swimming Video Contest, see the contest announcement below (originally posted May 16, 2011).

Create a Healthy Swimming Video & Be Eligible to Win $1,000!

Millions of people swim every year and CDC’s Healthy Swimming Program wants to make sure all swimmers stay healthy while they enjoy the water.

To help prevent the spread of germs at recreational water venues (such as pools, lakes, and waterparks), CDC is asking the public to educate swimmers by making a short, creative video that promotes the simple steps everyone can take to ensure a healthy swimming experience.

The video could be a rap, sketch, dance, slide show, or anything you want it to be, as long as it is appropriate for all audiences and follows the contest guidelines posted on the Healthy Swimming 2011 Video Contest Site. The top videos will be posted on CDC’s YouTube Channel and the public will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite video.

The first-place winner will receive a one-time $1,000 prize, provided by the CDC Foundation through support from a public-private partnership. The winning video will also be featured on CDC’s Healthy Swimming Website and CDC’s YouTube Channel for thousands to see.

The deadline for submission is July 4th, 2011. Entering the contest takes just a few simple steps, so start making your video today!

To Enter

• Watch the Call to Submissions Video below and then go to our Healthy Swimming 2011 Video Contest Site
  • Read and follow all of the video guidelines and rules
  • Submit your original video

Contest Timeline

• Contest starts: May 16th, 2011
• Deadline for submissions: July 4th, 2011, 11:59pm EDT
• Top videos posted for public voting: July 18th-22nd, 2011
• Winning video announced: July 25th, 2011

Call to Submissions Video Script [PDF - 27 kb]

Healthy Swimming Video Contest Poster [PDF - 152 kb]