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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...

Creating a New York Aquatics Culture: Shawn Slevin to the NYC Council

Dive into Shawn Slevin's compelling testimony on the critical need for water safety advocacy in New York City. Watch the full video to learn how Swim Strong Foundation is making waves in creating a safer aquatic environment for all. In a recent gathering of city officials, council members, and advocates, Shawn Slevin, the Executive Director of Swim Strong Foundation, took center stage to address the critical issue of water safety in New York City. With over 17 years of dedicated advocacy,...

March 14, 2024Blog, PSAs, VideosComments OffRead more...

Swim Strong Foundation 2023 Holiday Raffle

The Holiday Raffle is Here  Enter Holiday Raffle 2023 ($50) Drawing made December 26th.   Proceeds to benefit the scholarship fund. Swim Strong Foundation is a 501c3 in New York City that provides affordable swim lessons and water safety education to families.   Our programs teach basic swim lessons through stroke enhancement classes for competitive swimmers of all ages. Swim Strong has taught more than 10,700 people to respect the water and develop strong swimming skills for safety, health, competition, recreation and employment opportunities.   2731 children...

December 20, 2023Blog, Events, PSAs, Videos, Comments OffRead more...

World Swim Day 2023 | All You Need to Know

YouTube Instagram Collaboration with My Swim Pro   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by MySwimPro (@myswimpro)   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by MySwimPro (@myswimpro) Instagram Posts (How to Participate)   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Swim Strong Foundation 🏊🏼 (@swimstrongfoundationinc)

October 25, 2023Blog, PSAsComments OffRead more...