Swimways and USA Swimming Foundation Dive into New Partnership to Help Children Learn to Swim on National Learn to Swim Day
Swimming Celebration Hosted By Olympic Gold Medalist and USA Swimming
Foundation Ambassador Rowdy Gaines
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–In celebration of National Water Safety Month and Virginia Beach,
VA-based Swimways’
fifth annual National Learn to Swim Day, the leading manufacturer of
pool and outdoor recreational products and the USA
Swimming Foundation, an organization whose mission is to strengthen
the sport by saving lives and building champions in the pool and in
life, announced yesterday a new partnership to raise awareness about
water safety and the importance of teaching children to swim, an
essential life skill.
Approximately 10 people drown every day in the U.S., according to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with nearly 25 percent
of children younger than 14 years old. According to a study by the USA
Swimming Foundation and the University of Memphis, 70 percent of
African-American children, 60 percent of Latino children, and 40 percent
of Caucasian children have low or no swimming ability. The partnership
between Swimways and the USA Swimming Foundation was created to combat
some of the alarming statistics surrounding child drowning.
“We are excited to team up with the USA Swimming Foundation to help
elevate a very important conversation about water safety, especially as
we approach Memorial Day weekend and the summer season,” said Anthony
Vittone, Senior Vice President, Swimways. “Our goal is to provide the
information, tools and resources necessary to enable kids nationwide to
learn this essential life skill.”
Olympic Gold Medalist and USA Swimming Foundation Ambassador, Rowdy
Gaines, joined the celebration by giving a private swim lesson to local
children at the Princess Anne Family YMCA in Virginia Beach, VA. As a
result of the new partnership, the YMCA will receive a grant to provide
the resources and swim lessons necessary to teach children in the local
area how to swim, regardless of their race, gender or financial
circumstances.
“As someone who practically lives in the pool, I truly understand the
importance of ensuring kids know this critical skill at an early age,”
added Gaines. “Swimming can not only save lives, but it can build
confidence and teach kids about determination.”
As an official sponsor of the USA Swimming Foundation, Swimways will
continue working with the USA Swimming Foundation, whose mission is to
provide free or low cost swim lessons so that every child in America has
the opportunity to learn to swim.
“The great thing about water safety is that there’s a simple solution –
swim lessons,” said USA Swimming Foundation Executive Director, Debbie
Hesse. “Drowning is preventable, and we are looking forward to working
with Swimways in making both of our goals of helping all children learn
to swim become a reality.”
Families can learn more about National Learn to Swim Day, find water
safety tips, learn to swim videos, resources and swimming aid products
by visiting TeachMeToSwim.com
or www.usaswimmingfoundation.org.
About Swimways Corp.
Based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, Swimways is a privately owned leisure
and recreational water products manufacturer whose mission is making
free time more fun through innovation. It is a company rich in
traditional values and respected for the quality and integrity of its
products and services. With distribution in over 20,000 storefronts, it
markets three unique brands: SwimWays®, Kelsyus®
and COOP®. With offices in Hong Kong and the United States,
the company’s diverse staff is passionate about developing fun and
engaging products for kids. They are equally passionate about making
sure kids are safe in and around the water and believe learning to swim
is an important life skill. Swimways has been helping kids learn to swim
for over 40 years — longer than anyone else (except parents, of
course!). For more information about Swimways, visit www.Swimways.com.
About the USA Swimming Foundation
The USA Swimming Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of USA
Swimming. Established in 2004, the Foundation works to strengthen the
sport by saving lives and building champions — in the pool and in life.
Whether we’re equipping our children with the life-saving skill of
learn-to-swim through our Make a Splash initiative, or providing
financial support to our heroes on the U.S. National Team, the USA
Swimming Foundation aims to provide the wonderful experience of swimming
to kids at all levels across the country. To learn more, visit www.usaswimmingfoundation.org.
Contacts
Litzky Public Relations
Leah Schwint, 201-222-9118 x 20
lschwint@litzkypr.com
