Swimmer Austin Surhoff Partners with Frogglez Goggles to Raise Awareness for Autism

    RALEIGH, NC, June 12, 2021 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Austin Surhoff, NCAA and US National Champion, is pursuing his fourth bid for Team USA next week at the Olympic Swimming Trials. But he is tackling something new on this visit; he wants to raise awareness about the importance of swim lessons for people with autism.

Growing up with a brother on the autism spectrum gives Austin a unique point of view. "Drowning is the number one cause of death for children under 14 years old with autism. So, I got really excited when I heard that Frogglez were the only 'autism-friendly' swim goggles. I wanted to help spread the word about them."

Frogglez make swimming more accessible for children with autism by minimizing sensory challenges. The patented goggle design was designated a Certified Autism Resource by the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards.

The easy-to-use design of Frogglez Goggles allows people with motor skills difficulties to manage their goggles independently. In addition, the soft, fabric-covered neoprene strap doesn't pull hair or slip out of place. These features minimize overwhelming sensory input that causes some people on the spectrum to avoid the swimming pool.

Austin said that he learned an important lesson from his family. Whether it was working toward that next cut for a big meet or watching his brother tackle a new situation, "I learned that little things add up to big things. For my brother, Mason, removing a sensory issue from an activity makes it easier for him to manage. When you repeat the activity dozens and dozens of times, removing that small barrier becomes a big deal. I instantly saw how Frogglez could make swimming easier for so many kids with sensory sensitivities and wanted to get involved."

By incorporating Frogglez into adaptive swim lessons, instructors can devote precious lesson time to swimming skills instead of dealing with the consequences of uncomfortable goggles. Therapists and instructors can tailor the goggles to address specific swimmer needs by pairing different eyepieces with the universal strap. For example, a wide-view swim mask might help a child with proprioception issues, or tinted goggles could reduce anxiety for children with sensitivity to bright lights. The end result is a more positive swimming experience.

Dr. Christian Hahn, owner and inventor of Frogglez, said, "We are thrilled to work with Austin to raise awareness about the importance of swim lessons for kids on the spectrum." Hahn invented Frogglez after watching his daughter struggle with her swim goggles at her first swim lesson.

Today, people around the world are better swimmers thanks to the helpful design of Frogglez. Surhoff hopes that his partnership with Frogglez will raise awareness and have an impact on drowning statistics of children on the spectrum.

Frogglez are the premier swim goggles for kids. Invented by Dr. Christian Hahn in 2013, the innovative goggles are available online at www.FrogglezGoggles.com and at major retailers like Walmart and Amazon. The company is headquartered in West Linn, OR, and can be reached at [email protected], ph: 502-619-2199; FrogglezGoggles.com.

Austin Surhoff is a professional swimmer and assistant coach at Johns Hopkins University. He hosts the Pro Corner podcast where he talks to the highest achieving professionals in sports. He continues to share his expertise with up and coming swimmers through Fitter & Faster technique clinics. Contact him at [email protected].

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