Swim Strong Foundation’s mission is to save and change lives through water safety education and teaching swimming skills. We provide affordable swim programs to STOP the drowning. We guide students from age three through adult towards a healthy lifestyle via exercise, proper nutrition and competitive sports.

We Save Lives by Offering Affordable Swim Programs:

• We stop the drowning.
• We train beginner through competitive levels.
• We train children, teens, adults and seniors.
• We educate, challenge, and inspire.

What We’ve Done:

Since 2007 we have provided 10,000+ people with swim lessons and more than $1Million in free swim lessons to families so they can learn water safety and swimming skills!  161 children joined community based swim teams; 108 joined US Swim Clubs; 66 joined their high school teams; 28 joined their college teams; 90 are now coaching other community based swim teams; 206 became certified lifeguards; 7 obtained their WSI Certification; 10 joined a US Diving team; 6 joined US Water polo teams; 10 have enlisted in the Coast Guard; 19 in the Navy; 3 in the Marines; 1 became a commercial diver; 6 joined the NYPD; 7 became an Emergency Medical Technicians.

Since 2018 we also began teaching “Know Before You Go™”  dry-side, in person, water safety educational programming in 16 schools to 7000 students.  Our first remote program was taught June 2020 in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. We now have three programs that may be delivered flexibly (in person, remotely or blended).  See:  https://www.swimstrongfoundation.org/educational-resources/

Since 2019 we also began a community outreach program, particularly to communities of color who are not yet embracing swimming skills as a priority, yet are suffering the largest loss of life due to drowning.   We have showcased “A Film Called Blacks Can’t Swim” by British hip hop artist and activist, Ed Accura to several NAACP and church groups reaching about 650 people thus far.

Did You Know?

• All it takes is 2″ of water and 2 minutes to drown?
• Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of death for children; 5th leading cause for people of all ages in the U. S.
• African American children have the highest rates of death by drowning, three times higher than any other demographic group.
• Swimming is the best all-around exercise for a great cardio/pulmonary and total body workout which can positively impact people with obesity, coronary, type 2 diabetes and other chronic diseases.
• Competency in swimming opens the doors to other water based sports and offers opportunities for college scholarships.
• The life lessons learned from personal achievements in swimming include discipline, confidence, goal setting, commitment, perseverance, resiliency and team work. These traits are integrated throughout one’s life time; in our academics; careers and community service.

Contact Us:

Shawn.Slevin@swimstrongfoundation.org

Swim Strong Foundation
P.O. Box 701165
East Elmhurst, NY 11370
USA