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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...

NYC Ferry Career Fair: Opportunities for Your Community

NYC Ferry Career Fair: Opportunities for Your Community February 10, 2026 | Brooklyn Borough Hall Are you looking for a meaningful career with competitive benefits and room for growth? NYC Ferry is hosting a career fair that welcomes applicants of all experience levels—including those with no prior experience. What to Expect On February 10th from 11 AM to 2:30 PM, NYC Ferry will be at Brooklyn Borough Hall to showcase exciting opportunities across their organization. This is your chance to meet representatives from various...

January 30, 2026Blog, PSAsComments 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...

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...

Community Partnership Creates Waves: Water Safety Message Reaches Rockaways

Our collaborative water safety campaign with Episcopal Health Services and NYC Parks has made a splash in local media, with The Rockawave featuring our World Drowning Prevention Day message to Rockaway residents and visitors. When Community Voices Unite The power of partnership was evident as Episcopal Health Services (EHS), Swim Strong Foundation, and the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) reminded Rockaway residents and visitors to stay safe in and around the water ahead of World Drowning Day....

August 3, 2025Blog, PSAsComments OffRead more...

Water Safety Awareness: A Community Effort for World Drowning Prevention Day

As we observe World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25th, Swim Strong Foundation joins Episcopal Health Services and the NYC Parks Department in emphasizing a critical message: drowning is preventable through education and awareness. "World Drowning Prevention Day is an urgent reminder that drowning is fast, silent, and preventable," said Shawn Slevin, Executive Director of Swim Strong Foundation. This sobering reality underscores why our year-round commitment to water safety education is more important than ever. The Statistics That Drive Our Mission Drowning...

July 25, 2025Blog, PSAsComments 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...
In celebration of Lunar New Year, this stylized landscape reveals four manifestations of the Water Dragon. First, a light blue cloud-dragon soars near the black moon in the night sky. Second, a sinuous river-dragon winds through the woodlands, splitting into two dragon heads as it meets the ocean. Third, a partially thawing lake-dragon rests in the landscape. Fourth, a cloud-dragon forms near the mountain's sunset. The landscape harmoniously blends urban and natural elements, with city buildings integrating into forested areas, connected by a winding path. A modern building anchors the lower right, while a beach with protective jetties borders the vast ocean. The color palette flows from dark blues in the night sky through sunset pinks and oranges, complemented by rich forest greens and serene water blues. This composition represents the Water Dragon's role as guardian of all forms of water, bridging night and day as we welcome the new year.

The Water Dragon’s Silent Message: A Journey of Learning and Teaching

A New Swimmer's Journey: Discovering the Water Dragon's Wisdom A Journey Begins: Learning to Swim as a Parent As a new swimmer who has been training with Swim Strong Foundation for the past year, I've come to understand water in ways I never imagined. Finding Inspiration in My Son's Swimming Journey My son, who started his swimming journey two months before me, has been my inspiration and companion on this aquatic adventure. Together, we've discovered the magic and respect that comes with understanding water's...

January 29, 2025Articles, Blog, PSAsComments OffRead more...

Feedback from our 11,000th Swimmer : A Military Veteran

Veteran Hayden Morgan was searching for a way to be active and stay healthy after his service in the military. He had always enjoyed the water, particularly when on vacation, but he felt he was taking chances in the water because he didn’t know how to swim. After an online search, he came across the Swim Strong Foundation’s program for veterans, which provides veterans with free swim lessons. The program for veterans and the convenient location of classes led him to...

November 8, 2024Articles, Blog, PSAsComments OffRead more...