Meet 12-Time Olympic Medalist Ryan Lochte at White Water’s ‘Father Figure’ Pageant

OZARK MOUNTAINS, Mo. (June 12, 2026) — White Water is adding a little Olympic flair to Father's Day week with a visit from swimming superstar Ryan Lochte.

The 12-time Olympic medalist will make a special appearance at the park on Tuesday, June 16, greeting guests from 11 a.m. to noon before sticking around to serve as celebrity judge for White Water's first-ever Father Figure Pageant. The lighthearted celebration honors the dads, grandpas, uncles and father figures who make family vacations unforgettable.

During his legendary swimming career, Lochte captured 12 Olympic medals, making him the third most decorated swimmer in Olympic history behind fellow Americans Katie Ledecky and Michael Phelps. Guests will have the chance to meet the Olympic great, snap photos and say hello during the meet and greet before Lochte takes his seat at the inaugural pageant, which starts at noon. 

The family-friendly competition promises plenty of laughs as contestants show off their personality in three rounds of competition, including a wave pool runway walk, hula hoop and freestyle dance. The top three father figures will receive a pair of tickets to Silver Dollar City, along with gifts from Blue Lizard sunscreen and White Water. Guests interested in participating can sign up at the radio booth near the wave pool on the day of the event. 

The contest is included with park admission, giving guests the chance to meet one of the greatest swimmers of all time while enjoying more than two million gallons of fun, from thrilling water slides to relaxing floats down the Aloha River.

About White Water: The region's largest water park invites families to cool off across 13 acres of thrilling slides, wave pools and relaxing attractions, from the 7.5-story Kalani Towers and near-vertical KaPau Plummet to family-friendly Ohana Falls, the 800-foot Aloha River and kid favorites Coconut Cove and Splashaway Cay. New this season, guests will find hundreds of additional lounge chairs and picnic tables, a souvenir popcorn program, a $45 tasting ticket featuring two entrées and three snacks, and the Monster Float made with Monster Energy Ultra Zero Blue Hawaiian. Blue Lizard Cabanas offer shaded escapes with premium amenities, while Night Water returns on select July and August evenings with illuminated attractions and family-friendly movies at Surf's Up Wave Pool. For tickets, hours and more information, visit silverdollarcity.com.

About Ryan Lochte: Six-time Olympic champion and 12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte is joining Missouri State University as an assistant swimming and diving coach, bringing one of the sport's most accomplished resumes to the Bears program. The third-most decorated swimmer in Olympic history behind Michael Phelps and Katie Ledecky, Lochte competed in four Olympic Games, won 39 world championship titles and collected 90 international medals during his legendary career. A two-time NCAA Swimmer of the Year at the University of Florida, Lochte says he's eager to help student-athletes grow both in and out of the pool as he begins a new chapter in coaching.