Programs

Swim Free organizes its own programs, as well as collaborates with existing well-respected programs.

Swim Free will create and support local programs that serve its mission. Some of the initiatives launched include:

Adopt a Swimmer

For just $250, you can give the gift of swimming to a child who doesn’t have the access or means to pay for lessons.  Swim Free supports community-based nonprofit pools that offer learn to swim programs.  At each of these pools, Swim Free will select the specific program to support, altering it from year to year based on the need and mission.  Through this initiative, you can put a child through a learn-to-swim course, and take them from grounded to swimming like a fish.

We hope you will support this very worthy program.

Learn to Swim

The Jewish Community Center Manhattan has donated entries within its adult learn-to-swim program to Swim Free.  The courses run 8-16 sessions, and Swim Free scholarship recipients are already well on their way to becoming swimmers.

JCC Aquatics Director Mike Jacoby teaching Swim Free scholarship recipient how to float

Swim Free Angel™

The Swim Free Angel™ initiative was developed to help comfort people, young and old, who are anxious in and around the water.  Whether it be at a triathlon or a day at the beach, the Angels provide support shore-side and in the water, offering encouragement and coping mechanisms to help people overcome their fears.    Swim Free Angels™ are individual volunteers, or groups and consist of swimmers, counselors and cheerleaders.

As part of the Swim Free Angel™ program, tips and discussion groups with clinicians are offered to help athletes learn techniques to overcome any anxieties associated with getting in the water, especially as it relates to any upcoming open water swim events.

Monthly webinars are offered to discuss shared experiences and stories.

Swim Free Angels™ are:

• Volunteers
• Positive
• Patient
• Encouraging
• Helpful
• Dream makers
• Comfortable in and around the water
• Passionate about swimming

Swim Free Water Angels™ are strong, experienced swimmers and enjoy being in the water. They help guide swimmers during an event and provide direction and support when need be.

Clinicians have training in the area of anxiety, and experience with athletic endurance events.

Some Swim Free Angels™ are lifeguard certified, but the Angel program is not about teaching people to swim or saving someone from drowning. We leave that to the experts!  Angels provide the comfort zone needed to keep the swimmer focused and calm in the water.

Benefits to becoming a Swim Free Angel™:

• volunteer opportunities coordinated through Swim Free
• educational webinars
• unique Swim Free Angel cap
• access to professional clinicians who are experts in dealing with anxiety
• chance to be highlighted on the web site and within newsletters
• opportunity to share your passion for swimming and help others achieve their dreams

How to become a Swim Free Angel™:

For Individuals

• Send Swim Free information about your swimming background and any certifications.  This information will be kept on file at Swim Free who will contact the individual when opportunities arise
• fill out an Angel Report, which is a one-sheet summary describing how the event went.

For Race Directors, Organizations and Teams

• Send swimmer background and any certifications to Swim Free.  This information will be kept on file at so that Swim Free can organize and mobilize the group when opportunities arise.
• Race Directors also provide information on events where Swim Free Angels™ might be needed.
• fill out an Angel Report, which is a one-sheet summary describing how the event went.

For more information, contact info@swimfree.org, or (347) 766-7186

Swim Free Angels™ encouraging the final swimmer at the finish line.

Swim Free Angel™ talking with swimmers before the event.

Swim Free Angels™ at the start as swimmers jump into the river.

If you have a favorite learn-to-swim program you’d like Swim Free to partner with, please share it.