Our mission & story
What began as grief has grown into action, a collective effort to prevent future tragedies through education, advocacy, and compassion.
The Swim Safe YYC Initiative, was created to honour the lives of Yagazie Ike-Peters and Caelan Escalante, two beloved friends whose tragic drowning in Calgary inspired a mission to make water safety awareness a community priority.
Everything we do is rooted in a belief that prevention is possible and that community action is the most powerful tool we have.
Education
We deliver water safety education to schools, HOAs, and community groups across Calgary, turning knowledge into a first line of defence against drowning.
Advocacy
We push local governments and HOA boards to mandate lifeguards, install warning signs, and enforce safety regulations at every recreational water site.
Community
We build a movement of concerned families, volunteers, and community leaders who believe that no drowning is inevitable and every life is worth protecting.
Yagazie Ike-Peters was a bright, compassionate young man whose tragic drowning at Mahogany Lake in August 2025 exposed a painful truth — that many people still underestimate the dangers of open water and the importance of safety education.
Caelan Escalante, whose story is equally heart-wrenching, reminds us that these were not isolated incidents. They were preventable. And prevention is now our purpose.
Today, the Swim Safe YYC Initiative transforms that grief into action — advocacy, education, and community outreach that honours their memory by ensuring no other family faces the same loss.
From devastating loss to a growing movement — every step honouring Yagazie and Caelan.
Yagazie Ike-Peters drowns at Mahogany Lake. Days later, Caelan Escalante. Two families. One lake. No lifeguards, no warning signs.
The Ike-Peters and Escalante families go public with their grief and their demands. Local news covers the story. A community wakes up.
The initiative launches with a community meeting, a petition, and a commitment: to turn grief into lasting structural change.
The petition gains over 800 voices in just months. HOA boards and city councillors take notice. Our first council meeting is scheduled.
Seven awareness sessions held across Calgary. Nearly 4,000 people reached. Water safety education delivered to schools.
We keep showing up — at council meetings, community events, and every lake where a sign should hang and a lifeguard should stand.
We are families, volunteers, and advocates united by a shared belief that Calgary’s children deserve safe waters.
Partner with us
Founding Family
Turned unimaginable grief into relentless advocacy. Their courage to speak out about Yagazie’s passing gave this movement its heartbeat.
The Escalante Family
Founding Family
Caelan’s family joined the cause to ensure his memory fuels change. They advocate tirelessly for mandatory safety measures at Calgary’s lakes.
Community Volunteers
Core Team
Hundreds of Calgary residents, swim instructors, first responders, and parents who show up at every event, petition drive, and council meeting.
Every voice matters. Every signature counts. Every donation saves lives. Join the Swim Safe YYC movement and help us turn tragedy into lasting change for Calgary’s families.