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Lace Up and Make a Difference: Join the Elite Amenity 5K Run Benefiting Swim Strong Foundation

Lace up your running shoes and be part of something bigger than the finish line. The Elite Amenity 5K Run is a fun and inspiring community race — and this year, every step you take benefits Swim Strong Foundation's life-saving mission. Whether you run, walk, or cheer from the sidelines, your participation helps expand access to essential water safety education, affordable swim instruction, and drowning prevention programs right here in New York City. Why This Race Matters Water safety isn't just about knowing...

June 5, 202620th Anniversary, Articles, Blog, EventsComments OffRead more...
Senator Kevin S. Parker presents a New York State Legislative Resolution to members of the Eta Nu Sigma Brooklyn Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. at WaterPalooza 26, held at Bushwick Campus on May 30, 2026.

Water Safety Takes Center Stage: Swim Strong Foundation at WaterPalooza 26

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, Swim Strong Foundation joined the Eta Nu Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. for WaterPalooza 26 — a free, community-wide water safety and swim clinic event held at the Brooklyn School for Social Justice, Bushwick Campus. Presented in partnership with the Seven Roses Legacy Foundation and New York State Senator Kevin S. Parker, the event brought together families, young swimmers, community leaders, and water safety advocates for a day that was equal parts...

June 5, 2026Articles, Blog, EventsComments OffRead more...

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...