"My daughter, age 8, has taken swim lessons for the past three years through various swim programs.  She always loved swimming and wanted to improve her strokes.  She swam competitively for the past two summers and really enjoyed being a part of a swim team.  It was through one of her swim teammates that we met this summer that we were introduced to Swim Strong this year and after one session, her strokes (and love of swimming) have grown tremendously. Sean and the other swim coaches are patient, caring and passionate about swimming. When my daughter tried out for the local CYO swim team, they were floored that she was 8 given her swim performance."

"We are looking forward to another session with Swim Strong and we are proud to sport the yellow cap and to always -- SWIM STRONG! There is no other swim program out there that can compete with the Swim Strong capabilities."

~Beth, mom to Abigail

“I am writing to you today to let you know that your program is wonderful and effective.  My son, Jet failed to be in his high school swimming team last year. He joined your program for two seasons. He learned how to use his body and how to swim, dive and turn better.  Thank you for all your effort and your program, he got in this year and he is winning and so is his team. You receive 100% credit for his success.  Your program is great.  Thank you and have a great holiday season.”

Sincerely,
Norico, Jet's mother

"Storm is 13 years old now and for several years, we pondered about what sort of social life he would have.  What sort of extra curricular activities he would participate in and what his inter-personal relationships would be like.  We looked for activities outside of school, signed up for workshops and aligned ourselves with other parents of special need children, but Storm wanted to swim.  "

"Once on a trip to Orlando, my brother took him to the pool at the resort we were staying at.  Storm was about 4 years old and fearless when it came to the water.  He never hesitated, never stood and pondered or gave it a moments’ thought.  Whenever he saw water, he wanted to be in it.  This was a great concern for us because who was going to teach him to swim?  Neither his father, nor I knew how.  Later we signed him up for the Cross Island YMCA’s Lisa Beth Gertsman Program.  He attends for 6 weeks each summer and his favorite thing of all is, of course, swimming.  When we vacationed, there always had to be pools nearby because no matter where we went, or what other activities were being offered, our boys wanted to swim.  We live right near the beach, just seconds from the entire Atlantic Ocean, but we never encouraged our children to visit the beach, rarely ever took them there and pretty much steered clear of it because they couldn’t swim and we didn’t want them to be in danger."

"Then we heard about the Swim Strong Foundation coming to Far Rockaway High School.  The classes were being offered to young children and we knew that we wanted Storm to participate but we weren’t sure if the program would accept a young boy with Down syndrome.   Still, we decided to take a chance and it was the best thing we ever did.  Not only did Swim Strong embrace our son by accepting him into a program that will forever enhance the quality of his life, but he has made friends and established relationships that will hopefully last him a lifetime.  It’s no longer about just jumping into the water and floundering about aimlessly.  Storm is learning to swim, to really swim and to do it in a way that is enjoyable as well as safe.  The instructors have phenomenal.  I’ve watched them work with my son and the patience and dedication they show is absolutely incredible." 

"I don’t know if anyone realizes how many children live on this peninsula and don’t know how to swim, nor do their parents or caretakers.  They are, therefore, surrounded by a body of water that presents a constant threat.  My husband and I are just thrilled with the Swim Strong Foundation and all they are doing for our son – to increase his self confidence, provide him with an outlet for perpetual enjoyment and teaching him to be a strong swimmer.  We are forever grateful to Shawn Slevin and her staff.  We look forward to the next session beginning in January and hope that Swim Strong will consider teaching adults one day soon as both my husband and I would like to be able to keep up with Storm." 

"Thanks, Swim Strong.  You’ve really made a difference in the lives of this family."

Sincerely,
Willie and Renae (Far Rockaway)