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“Il Mondo” — The World Is Water: What the Olympics Closing Ceremony Reminded Us All

On February 22, 2026, the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics came to a close inside the ancient Verona Arena — an amphitheater built in 30 AD that has witnessed two thousand years of human storytelling. But the moment that stopped the world that night wasn't about ice or snow. It was about water. Watch Video Here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wjTiQFFr6Q In a segment titled "The Water Cycle," the ceremony paid a stunning tribute to Italy's relationship with water — from the glaciers of the Dolomites flowing down...

March 10, 2026Blog, VideosComments OffRead more...

Revisiting a Powerful Conversation for Black History Month | Full SJU Panel + Screening of “A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim”

Revisiting a Powerful Conversation for Black History Month | Full SJU Panel + Screening of “A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim” This Black History Month, we’re going back to a conversation that stayed with us — a panel discussion hosted at Saint John’s University that brought together our founder Shawn Slevin, board-certified psychiatrist and U.S. Navy Commander Dr. Sudhir Gadh, and Dominican Republic 2016 Rio Olympian Jhonny José Pérez Peña for a screening of A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim. We’ve revisited...

February 28, 2026Blog, VideosComments OffRead more...

What Happens When You Fall Through the Ice? A Real-Time Rescue Demonstration

Every winter, people walk onto frozen lakes, rivers, and ponds — ice fishermen, snowmobilers, hikers, kids taking shortcuts. Most never think about what happens if the ice gives way beneath them. This video does. Adam from Pike Pole Fishing did something most people would never volunteer for: he fell through the ice on purpose, in real time, without a drysuit, in ten feet of water — with the Edgerton Fire Department standing by. The result is one of the most honest...

February 26, 2026Blog, PSAs, VideosComments OffRead more...

What Fear Looks Like in the Brain — and Why It Matters for Water Safety

When Dr. Sudhir Gadh, MD, took the microphone at Swim Strong Foundation's 15th anniversary celebration, he did something most people in the water safety space don't do: he explained exactly what happens inside your skull when you're afraid of the water. Dr. Gadh is a board-certified psychiatrist and U.S. Navy Commander based in New York City, specializing in trauma, addiction, and the intersection of mental and physical health. He's also a recurring voice in Swim Strong's community conversations — because he...

February 26, 2026Blog, PSAs, VideosComments OffRead more...

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Family Swimming Legacy: Skills for Life, Passed Across Generations

MLK Day Author: Swim Strong Foundation When we remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we often focus on his speeches, his marches, and his transformative impact on civil rights. But there's another part of his story that speaks directly to families today—his deliberate commitment to swimming with his children and passing water confidence from one generation to the next. From his childhood lessons at the Butler Street YMCA in Atlanta to teaching his own children, Dr. King understood that swimming wasn't just...

January 19, 2026Articles, Blog, VideosComments OffRead more...

Essential Situational Knowledge of Water Safety Education: Watch Our Live Stream Replay

As we enter fall with warm weather still keeping families near water, and as our school programs begin their new season, we want to share a comprehensive water safety education live stream that every family needs to see. The Partnership That Makes This Possible We're grateful to Historic Neir's Tavern and owner Loycent Gordon for providing the platform for this life-saving education. Through their Ambassador Program, they demonstrate how community businesses can amplify essential safety messages beyond their usual operations. As Loycent...

January 12, 2026Articles, Blog, VideosComments OffRead more...

Swim Strong Foundation at World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2025

Watch the Full Presentation Presenter: Shawn Slevin Affiliations: Swim Strong Foundation, New York, USA Global Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Rotary Club, Brisbane, Australia Water Safety Coalition, New York City, USA Multi Agency Taskforce on Life Guards and Water Safety, New York City, USA Presentation Title: Why Swimming Lessons Are Not Enough. Education is the Missing Link Swim Strong Foundation founder Shawn Slevin presented at the 2025 World Conference on Drowning Prevention (WCDP) held in Egypt, November 21-23, 2025. Conference Resources: WCDP 2025 Abstracts Book...

January 10, 2026Blog, VideosComments OffRead more...

Beach Safety: Life-Saving Wisdom From Our Rockaway Community

Beach Safety: Life-Saving Wisdom From Our Rockaway Community Summer drownings on New York's beaches continue to claim lives—but they don't have to. Those of us who live by the ocean understand its beauty and hidden dangers. We've created a 7-part video series featuring real Rockaway residents, lifeguards, and Swim Strong families sharing the water safety knowledge that keeps our community alive. The Hard Truth A beautiful day outside doesn't guarantee a beautiful day in the water. Storms 1,500 miles away in the Caribbean...

August 29, 2025Blog, PSAs, VideosComments OffRead more...
Merle Liivand demonstrating proper hand positioning for the breaststroke pull phase. Wearing a white swim cap and blue-tinted goggles, she shows the correct hand form while explaining technique to attentive young swimmers.

World Record Holder Merle Liivand Leads Spectacular Breaststroke Bootcamp

  A Day of EliteTraining with "The Eco-Mermaid" This past Monday, swimmers gathered at the Bushwick HS Campus Pool for an extraordinary opportunity - a specialized Breaststroke Bootcamp led by Lady Merle Liivand, Estonian Champion and five-time Guinness World Record holder for monofin swimming. The event, hosted by the Swim Strong Foundation, brought together competitive swimmers eager to learn from one of the world's most accomplished breaststroke and open water swimmers. Merle, who began swimming due to medical challenges with her lungs, has...

April 19, 2025Blog, Events, VideosComments OffRead more...
Promotional poster for 'Changing the Narrative' documentary series featuring a diverse group of people and release dates for episodes.

Changing the Narrative: A Must-See Film on Breaking Swimming Barriers

 "Changing the Narrative": A Must-See Film for Every Family A Powerful Message on Swimming and Water Safety Greetings, families! Today, I want to share something truly special with you. My friend Ed Accura has created a film that you absolutely must see: "Changing the Narrative". Universal Barriers to Swimming While Ed's film focuses on the UK perspective, the message resonates globally. As I've traveled the world, I've heard the same concerns echoed by people everywhere. The barriers to learning how to swim are truly universal. Reflecting...

September 26, 2024Articles, Blog, VideosComments OffRead more...
Image of Shawn Slevin nest to Radio Rotary Logo

Protecting Lives: Discover Swim Strong Foundation’s Mission on Radio Rotary

Listen to Full Show Discover the crucial importance of water safety and drowning prevention with Swim Strong Foundation's Shawn Slevin on Radio Rotary. This eye-opening interview covers essential topics from home safety to environmental awareness, making it a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone who spends time near water. Are you concerned about water safety for yourself and your loved ones? Do you want to learn how to prevent tragic water-related accidents? Then you absolutely must tune in to the latest episode...

September 24, 2024Articles, Blog, VideosComments OffRead more...