Wave Makers
Wave Makers: A Plan to Keep New York City’s Children Safe in the Water is a collaboration among the Gray Foundation, the offices of New York City Council Member Julie Menin and Council Member Shekar Krishnan, and Asphalt Green’s Safe Swim NYC initiative.
KEEPING KIDS SAFE IN THE WATER
This innovative partnership will address the structural inequities affecting access to swim instruction by providing free, comprehensive swimming lessons to second graders across New York City, regardless of their socio-economic background.
The Wave Makers pilot program will demonstrate the most effective, efficient, outcome-driven pathways to large-scale free swim instruction for children in New York City. This initiative hopes to empower the next generation of New Yorkers with the skills and knowledge they need to enjoy the water safely and build a foundation for a lifetime of healthy activity.
BY THE NUMBERS
2024
In 2024, NYC opened its beaches with fewer than half the needed lifeguards
68%
of New Yorkers lack pool access
1 in 3
Public pools (103,000 pools) in the US are affected by the lifeguard shortage
1 in 3
Black and Asian children can’t swim (35.6% and 34.3% respectively)
1 in 4
New York City children can’t swim (27.5%)
1 in 4
Latino children can’t swim (25.8%)
1 in 10
White children can’t swim (8.7%)
FOR PARENTS
Learn more about eligibility and receive further details on how Wave Makers can set your child up for success inside and out of the water.
FOR PARTNERS
Learn how you can join our cause to expand access to swim instruction and keep all New Yorkers safe in the water.