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.

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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.

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Wave makers in the nyt

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%)

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A swimming instructor in the pool with a group of young children sitting on the edge of the pool, while adults stand on the pool deck.
A swim instructor assists a young child using a blue kickboard in a pool.
A group of people stand at a podium overlooking a swimming pool, with a speaker addressing the crowd during a press event.
A child wearing goggles and a “WAVE MAKER NYC” swim cap smiles while holding onto the edge of a swimming pool.
A lifeguard standing on a pool deck points toward children in swimming gear, while two instructors face the group.
A swim instructor in a blue cap supports a child practicing a back float in a swimming pool.
A swimming instructor in the pool high-fives a young boy sitting on the pool edge, with other students and instructors in the background.
A swimming instructor and three children in swim caps sit on the edge of a pool, arms raised toward the water.
A child in a light blue swim cap and goggles stands by a pool, with a swimming instructor in the water behind them.

This is amazing. Free swim lessons for second graders truly change lives. I grew up in a community where swimming was seen as a luxury, and most kids never had the opportunity to learn. Programs like this create real equity in access. It’s inspiring to see the work Asphalt Green is doing to support kids across the city. This kind of impact lasts a lifetime.

Simon Obas, Ed. D., K-12 Leader

FOR PARTNERS

Learn how you can join our cause to expand access to swim instruction and keep all New Yorkers safe in the water.

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.

Swimming instructors guide a group of children in a pool during a swim lesson.

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