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From NYC to Africa

Shawn Slevin's Six-Week Journey | November–December 2025 After 33 hours of travel, Swim Strong Foundation founder, Shawn Slevin, visited seven countries across one continent. The mission: build global partnerships for water safety. The focus: listen to communities, observe water ecosystems, and establish connections. WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED Presented to global water safety leaders at World Conference on Drowning Prevention Met in person with Rotary colleagues throughout the tour; previously only seen on Zoom Connected with Black Swimming Association of Britain Presented Swim Strong model to Rotary Club...

February 1, 2026Articles, BlogComments 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...

Body Awareness and Swimming

Body awareness is important for us at all ages.  It helps us improve movement and coordination, which helps us in everyday tasks like walking, reaching for objects, and doing physical activities.   It is also important so we can avoid injury. Development of body awareness begins in early infancy when babies start to move, turning and rolling over, which helps build their gross motor skills. Providing activities and space for gross motor development offers children space to practice coordinated movements, spatial awareness,...

December 24, 2025Articles, Blog, PSAsComments OffRead more...

Swim Safety Lesson Makes a Splash: Read How Swim Strong Foundation is Protecting NYC’s Children

A powerful story of transformation and lifesaving education. Register below to read the full article from The Tablet—or watch our featured video if you're short on time. Featured in The Tablet: Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn's Official News Outlet We're excited to share that Swim Strong Foundation's recent water safety presentation at St. Joan of Arc Catholic School in Jackson Heights was featured in The Tablet, the respected newspaper serving Brooklyn and Queens' Catholic communities since 1908. The Tablet has been chronicling the lives,...

December 22, 2025Articles, Blog, Swim Strong in The NewsComments OffRead more...
Twelve-year-old Xaire stands on the pool deck at Brooklyn College, looking out over the indoor swimming pool with blue lane dividers. He's wearing a gray hoodie and the facility has wooden bleacher seating along the walls. The pool appears clean and well-maintained in this institutional recreational facility.

Why Every Brooklyn Parent Needs to Read This Investigation Right Now

The Investigation We Wish We Didn't Need to See Today's Brooklyn Paper investigation into Brooklyn's water safety crisis confirms what we've known at Swim Strong Foundation: the system is broken, and children are paying the price. When we lost Elyjha Chandler and Christian Perkins at Jacob Riis Park last summer, their mothers chose to turn grief into action through our Brooklyn South partnership. Now this investigation reveals why their advocacy is so desperately needed. The Reality Check The families featured in today's article –...

June 24, 2025Articles, Blog, Swim Strong in The NewsComments OffRead more...

Making Waves: Our Life-Saving Partnership with Kiwanis of the Rockaways

As we approach Memorial Day and the official start of beach season, we're thrilled to share some incredible news that's making a real difference in our community's water safety. We've partnered with Kiwanis of the Rockaways to provide free swimming lessons to 24 local children this year – and this is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long-lasting collaboration to save lives in our waterfront community. Why This Partnership Matters Living in the Rockaways means being surrounded by 17...

May 25, 2025Articles, Blog, Swim Strong in The NewsComments OffRead more...
Swim coach lecturing students on how to do a drill in the shallow end.

Swim Strong Featured in Amsterdam News: A Life-Saving Skill in a Warming World

We're thrilled to share that Swim Strong Foundation was recently featured in Amsterdam News! Our founder Shawn Slevin discussed the critical importance of water safety and swimming education in an era of extreme weather and climate change.   From our innovative 'Know Before You Go' program to the growing need for water safety awareness in New York City, the article explores how we're working to protect our communities through education and access to swimming instruction. Want to learn more about our mission and...

May 4, 2025Articles, Blog, Swim Strong in The NewsComments OffRead more...
A swimmer demonstrating competitive breaststroke technique in a lap lane. This demonstrates the proper body position and form that would be taught by Merle Liivand, who is an Estonian Champion in both 50 meter and 200 meter breaststroke.

Elevate Your Breaststroke: Exclusive Bootcamp with World Record Holder Lady Merle Liivand

Elevate Your Breaststroke: Exclusive Bootcamp with World Record Holder Lady Merle Liivand Are you looking to take your competitive swimming to the next level? Here's your chance to learn from one of the best in the world! We're thrilled to announce an exclusive Competitive Breaststroke Bootcamp with elite international open water swimmer and Guinness World Record holder, Lady Merle Liivand. The Expert Behind the Training Lady Merle Liivand isn't just any swim instructor. As an Estonian Champion in both the 50-meter and 200-meter...

April 9, 2025Articles, Blog, Events, PSAsComments OffRead more...
A person wearing a white cap turned backward, blue shirt, and a race blanket with "NYC Half" branding smiles at the camera in a post-race selfie. They're wearing a race medal with a green lanyard. In the background are other runners with thermal blankets and portable toilets, indicating this is after completing the race.

From Start to Finish: A NYC Half Marathon Journey

NYC Half Marathon Recap! Dear [Team/Supporters/Friends], I’m excited to share that I successfully completed the United Airlines NYC Half Marathon this past weekend—my first long-distance race! It was an incredible experience—challenging, rewarding, and made even more meaningful by running in support of the Swim Strong Foundation and our mission to provide water safety education and swim lessons to communities all over the world. The energy of the city, the camaraderie of fellow runners, and the unwavering support from all of you kept me going through every mile. From...

March 19, 2025Articles, BlogComments OffRead more...
Full Race Map for United Airlines Half Marathon 2025

Swim Strong Foundations : First Half Marathon Team

Marathon Weekend Our Runners This year marks Swim Strong's first time participating in this iconic race, and we couldn't be prouder of our five incredible runners: Francisco, Ada, Ruihan, Judy, and Andrew. Each of them has a personal connection to our mission of water safety education and drowning prevention Race Course This year's half marathon is especially exciting because runners will cross the Brooklyn Bridge for the first time in NYRR race history! The 13.1-mile course takes runners from Prospect Park through Brooklyn, over the...

March 15, 2025Articles, Blog, EventsComments OffRead more...
Ada's Image: "Runner in white Nike tank top captured mid-run at a race, with other runners visible in the background against a tree-lined path at sunset" Francisco's Image: "Swim coach in grey t-shirt sitting poolside surrounded by young swimmers in purple swim caps and swimsuits, looking at a device" Judy's Image: "Runner in purple event t-shirt and black leggings standing on a city street after a race, with other participants and urban buildings visible in the background" Ruihan's Image: "Runner in black athletic wear standing with arms outstretched on a green hillside, with dramatic snow-capped Alpine mountains in the background" Andrew’s Image: “Man in a dark double-breasted suit and white shirt smiling warmly at the camera, standing against a backdrop of green-lit paneling and marble walls in a professional setting"

Runners Who Make a Splash!

Supporting life-saving swimming lessons, one mile at a time. Meet our incredible team running the 2025 United Airlines NYC Half Marathon to support Swim Strong Foundation's mission of water safety education. Our Amazing Fundraising Team Francisco Nieves: From Pool to Pavement A lifelong swimmer turned advocate, Francisco's journey from competitive swimming to coaching shows his dedication to water safety. His mission continues as he takes on the United Airlines Half Marathon to ensure more children have access to life-saving swim lessons. [Support Francisco's Campaign] Ada...

February 18, 2025Articles, Blog, EventsComments OffRead more...