Logo with a stylized water splash forming a circle above the words "Understanding Water" in white text on a black background.

PRESENTS

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Join us for an unforgettable evening of film, storytelling, and inspiration as we launch The Ripple Effect, a movement dedicated to building water-competent communities. Together, we’ll discover how confidence built in the water creates safer children, stronger families, and opportunities that extend far beyond the shoreline.

Launching a movement
to build water-competent communities, beginning in Watsonville.

OCTOBER 1, 2026

Watsonville, California

5:30 - 8:30 PM

MORE THAN A FUNDRAISER

Two teal-colored feather illustrations

It’s the launch of a movement.

Built on one simple belief:
every child deserves the opportunity to feel confident in the water.

When a child learns to swim, something bigger begins.

Confidence grows.
Families engage.
Young leaders emerge.
Communities become stronger.

That is The Ripple Effect.

WHY UNDERSTANDING WATER?

Far more than swim lessons.

Understanding Water removes barriers to swim access, replaces fear with confidence, and creates opportunities that extend far beyond the pool.

Teal and white water droplets in a mosaic tile style.

CONFIDENCE BEGINS


Learning to swim is where
confidence begins.

Three teal and white water droplets in a mosaic tile style.

LEADERS ARE DEVELOPED


Swimming creates pathways to growth, discipline, and leadership.

Teal and white water droplets in a mosaic tile style.

COMMUNITIES ARE BUILT


Water competency helps build safer, stronger, more connected communities.

THE RIPPLE EFFECT IN MOTION

Concentric white rings on a black background, resembling a target or radar screen.
Concentric white rings on a black background, resembling a target or radar screen.

One child learns to swim.

Confidence grows.

Families engage.

Young leaders emerge.

Communities become stronger.

One child. One family. One community. One ripple at a time.

WHY WATSONVILLE?

Where the first ripple begins.

Watsonville is more than the location of our first event. It is where we begin proving what is possible.

A black background with a white segmented spiral line resembling a mosaic scroll to the right.
A black background with a white segmented spiral line resembling a mosaic scroll to the left.
This is a poppy flower with orange and red petals and a dark center created in a mosaic tile style.

Rich in culture, resilience, and community pride, Watsonville is the perfect place to launch a model designed to strengthen communities through water competency, leadership development, and expanded opportunity.

This evening marks the beginning of a blueprint that can one day serve communities across California and beyond.

Every movement has a beginning, and ours begins here.

Experience The Ripple Effect

THE EVENING

Guests will experience:

A teal-colored film symbol.

Inspiring Stories

Two chat bubbles, one above the other. The top bubble has four circles, the bottom bubble has two lines.

Community Connections

A stylized eye with target crosshairs overlay

Vision for the Future

Simple line drawing of a food cloche or serving dome with a rounded handle on top.

Dinner & Conversation

Icon of two hands shaking, representing agreement or partnership.

Partnership Opportunities

Outline drawing of a teal baseball cap with black outlines and details.

Event Merchandise

EVENT DETAILS

Two abstract blue water drops designed in a mosaic tile style.
Two abstract blue water drops designed in a mosaic tile style.

DATE & TIME

October 1, 2026
5:30 - 8:30 PM

LOCATION

City of Watsonville Community Room
275 Main Street
Watsonville, CA 95076

PARKING

Enter the parking garage via Rodriguez Street and drive up to the 6th floor.

This evening is designed to connect people around one shared purpose: Build Stronger Communities Through the Power of Water

BECOME AN EVENT SPONSOR

Support an unforgettable evening. Help launch a lasting movement.

Event sponsors receive meaningful visibility before, during, and after The Ripple Effect while directly supporting swim access, water competency, and community impact throughout Watsonville.

Stylized digital illustration of a flower with an orange and red petal top and two blue and white leaves beneath, designed as mosaic tiles.

Swim Access

Water Safety

Youth Confidence

Community Impact

Partnership Visibility

Future Generations

Every purchase helps increase awareness while supporting Understanding Water’s work in Watsonville and future communities.

Support the mission wherever you go.

SHOP THE COLLECTION

Collection of clothing and hats with various designs and logos related to water awareness, including t-shirts, hoodies, and caps.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

Join The Ripple Effect

Three stylized blue water drops designed in a mosaic tile style.
A black background with a white segmented spiral line resembling a mosaic scroll to the left.
A black background with a white segmented spiral line resembling a mosaic scroll to the right.

Be among the founding supporters helping launch a movement to build water-competent communities, beginning in Watsonville.