Half of the U.S. population does not know how to swim. Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death among children under 14 and is a leading cause of death of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. 70% of African- Americans and 66% of youth qualifying for free or reduced lunch do not know how to swim. The startling statistics go on and on. But they don’t have to. With SwimRVA’s water safety and learn-to-swim programs, we’re changing the Richmond region’s relationship with water.

We help seniors maximize their movement, while minimizing the risk. We help runners increase their stamina while decreasing the impact on their joints. We help people bounce back from injury. And we build cardio capacity, muscle tone, flexibility and the self-confidence that comes from pushing one’s ability in our supportive atmosphere.

The more access people have to aquatic facilities and programs, the more confident they become in the water. And the more confident they become, the more advanced they get. And the more advanced and ambitious they are, the more we can build real economic momentum through attracting regional competitions and events to Richmond. Our $7 million annual economic impact goal is just another example of how aquatics improve the community and power our region beyond just the pool.