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Alexandria, VA (January 10, 2023) – Today, the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) announced a strong close of the 2022 program year for its water safety initiative, Step Into Swim. Led by Rowdy Gaines, Olympic Gold Medalist and Vice President and Development at PHTA, Step Into Swim continues to raise awareness for drowning prevention and the lifesaving skill of learning how to swim. The program raised $750,000 this year thanks to donors who believe in its mission to create more swimmers.
“Thanks to the support of our generous donors, Step Into Swim has made a difference for families throughout the U.S. and elevated our message about the importance of swim lessons,” said Gaines. “We have had an amazing year and I look forward to what we’ll accomplish in 2023.”
In 2022, Step Into Swim raised over $750,000 dollars from the pool and hot tub industry; provided grants to more than 60 facilities in 43 states; funded swim lessons for 23,500 children; featured a swim safety segment on The TODAY Show; and collaborated with its Champions Board, a distinguished group of athletes, industry professionals and philanthropists, to advance the difference-making initiative.
“There is no greater mission for PHTA’s Step Into Swim program than to create more swimmers. By expanding our reach and working alongside trusted industry advocates, we can continue to instill safety and confidence in even our youngest of swimmers,” said Sabeena Hickman, CAE, President and CEO of PHTA. “With Rowdy at the helm and our partners beside him, Step Into Swim is a champion for drowning prevention education.”
Step Into Swim proudly recognizes its top 2022 donors, including Fluidra (Diamond Level); American Pools, AquaCal, Claffey Pools, Florida Swimming Pool Association, and Hayward (Platinum Level); and Heritage Pool Supply Group, Master Pools Guild, and Premier Pools & Spas (Gold Level).
On average, it costs Step Into Swim $50* per child to provide swimming lessons. Donors can support Step Into Swim at tiered funding levels, and 100 percent of funds go directly to Step Into Swim programming to ensure children get the education they need to thrive in and around the water. Visit www.StepIntoSwim.org to see a full list of supporters and to learn more about how to get involved.
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*Cost per swimming lesson varies by location
About Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and Step Into Swim:
The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with nearly 3,500 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $36.5B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth to increase our members’ professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA facilitates the expansion of swimming, water safety and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.
Step Into SwimTM is an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and its foundation committed to safe swim education and drowning prevention. By investing in the next generation of swimmers through learn-to-swim programming, the Step Into Swim initiative instills confidence, empowers long-term participation in water activities, touts the positive benefits of water play, and advocates for safe practices. Since its inception in 2012, Step Into Swim has played a role in reducing drowning fatalities and has gifted swim lessons to more than 285,000 children with support from community organizations, partners, industry advocates, members and more. For more information, visit www.stepintoswim.org.
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