Foundation has granted more than $5.7M to swim lesson providers to provide free or reduced-cost lessons

In 2018, through its Make a Splash Local Partner network, the USA Swimming Foundation helped provide more than 1.3 million children with swimming lessons. Together, the Foundation and their network of 1,000 swim lesson providers across the country are helping to spread national awareness on the importance of learning to swim and bringing together strategic partners to end drowning. Since 2007, more than 7.5 million children have now been served.

Through the Make a Splash initiative, the USA Swimming Foundation assists in providing the opportunity for every child in America to learn to swim – regardless of race, gender or financial circumstances. The USA Swimming Foundation partners with learn-to-swim providers, community-based water safety advocates, and national organizations to provide swimming lessons and educate children and their families on the importance of learning how to swim.

“It’s an incredible feeling to know that together with our Make a Splash Local Partner network, we have helped another 1.3 million children in the last year,” USA Swimming Foundation Make a Splash Program Director Tina Dessart said. “We are thrilled with the growth of the Local Partner network and the swim lesson opportunities our Local Partners have provided for children over the last several years. Their continued commitment fuels us to work even harder; expanding support services to aid in day-to-day operations, and helping to reach children who otherwise would not have the opportunity to learn the lifesaving skill of swimming”

Ten people drown each day in the United States, and drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional death for children under the age of 14. Sixty-four percent of African-American children, 45 percent of Hispanic/Latino children, and 40 percent of Caucasian children have low or no swimming ability.

Make a Splash Local Partner swim lesson providers promote water safety education in their communities, and many provide scholarships for children to participate in their swim lesson programs. In 2007, the Make a Splash initiative began with just one Make a Splash Local Partner and has since grown to 1,000 partners in all 50 states.