As part of its goal to bring the joy and substantial benefits of swimming to children across all communities, Fluidra committed $100,000 to the Pool & Hot Tub Foundation’s initiative Step Into Swim, a national program dedicated to providing safe swim education.
Through the Step Into Swim initiative, Fluidra is able to share its passion for aquatic recreation and make swimming lessons accessible to all children so they can participate in what the company strives to create: the perfect pool and wellness experience for all.
“Being able to swim isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity,” says Troy Franzen, president of Fluidra North America who also serves on the Step Into Swim Champions Board. “The ability to swim is essential to improving the health and safety of this and future generations, and we are fully invested in the effort to teach people how to swim and be safe around water, regardless of their socioeconomic situation.”
Rowdy Gaines, three-time Olympic Gold Medalist and vice president of partnerships and development at PHTA notes that drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages one to four. “Through Fluidra’s generous contribution we are able to make stronger strides to combat childhood drowning — with focus in under-resourced communities — so that we can keep children safer in the water,” he says.
In 2021, Step Into Swim raised over $500,000 dollars from the pool and hot tub industry, which provided grants to 22 facilities in Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas – funding 6,297 swimming lessons for children.
“I am in awe of how far Step Into Swim has come thanks to the leadership of Rowdy Gaines and our Champions Board, as well as the support from key partners like Fluidra,” says Sabeena Hickman, CAE, president and CEO of PHTA. “Everyone plays a special role in helping us mobilize an important initiative to provide educational resources and access to free swimming lessons. The future is bright as we continue to build upon this momentum in 2022.”
Donors can support Step Into Swim through tiered funding levels, including the Build A Pool, Save A Life Sponsorship where companies can pledge funds based on the number of pools built or maintenance contracts signed each year. Visit StepIntoSwim.org to see a full list of supporters and to learn more about how to get involved.
