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Shawn Slevin on NY1: What Families Need to Know as Beach Season Opens

Swim Strong Foundation founder and Executive Director Shawn Slevin joined NY1 anchor Rocco Vertuccio on News All Day this week to talk water safety as New York City beaches officially opened for the 2026 season. It's a conversation worth having every year — and this year, it's especially timely. Storm weather greeted the start of beach season, bringing rough surf, high rip current warnings, and a reminder that the water doesn't follow a calendar. Watch the full interview on NY1 → Why storm...

May 25, 2026Blog, PSAs, Swim Strong in The NewsComments 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...
Photo provided by the office of AM Jessica González-Rojas , showing Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas and other lawmakers kicked off a capital campaign for public pool at Lexington School for the Deaf.

Queens Deaf School Pool Renovation Gets $1.5M Boost – Major Victory for Water Safety

A landmark initiative is underway to restore the historic swimming pool at Lexington School for the Deaf in Queens, with Assembly Member González-Rojas securing $1 million in funding and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation contributing $500,000. The renovation will not only serve the school's deaf students but will also provide vital swimming instruction and lifeguard training to the broader Queens community. In a city where drowning rates are rising and millions lack access to public pools, this project represents a crucial...

November 27, 2024Articles, Blog, Swim Strong in The NewsComments OffRead more...
Arricle Title: "Advocates push for expanded NYC swim instruction, access" By John Dias

CBS News Article On New York’s Drowning Crisis: Why Water Safety Education is Crucial

Stay updated on the urgent need for improved water safety measures in New York City. This article examines the concerning rise in drowning deaths at city-run beaches and explores how community leaders and advocates are pushing for more: swimming lessons, increased lifeguard presence, and better access to pools. Learn why experts believe fostering an "aquatic culture" could save lives and create a safer summer for all New Yorkers. Read CBS News Report Here

September 24, 2024Articles, Swim Strong in The NewsComments OffRead more...