Step Into Swim Announces Partnership With Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation

Step Into Swim, a nonprofit initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance dedicated to creating more swimmers through education, announced a partnership with the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation. The foundation committed $200,000 and received a direct match from the PHTA board of directors, which will help Step Into Swim provide grants to learn-to-swim providers and fund 40,000 swim lessons for children. 

The Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation was founded in 1990 by Kim and Stew Leonard, Jr., who lost their 21-month-old son, Stew Leonard III, in a drowning accident. The foundation focuses on water safety awareness and education initiatives by funding hundreds of lifeguard training and more than 10,000 free or low-cost swim lessons for children each year. 

Drowning is the leading cause of unintentional death for children ages 1–4. Receiving swim lessons from a qualified instructor reduces the risk of drowning by 88% for that same age group. 

“We love Rowdy Gaines and Step Into Swim,” Kim and Stew Leonard, Jr. say. “Its mission aligns with ours beautifully. We are thrilled to have created a partnership and look forward to working with them to prevent drownings.”

Step Into Swim is funded through contributions, and 100% of donations go to learn-to-swim programming. To learn more, visit stepintoswim.org.