SWIM UP FACES PANDEMIC
The Howard University Swim and Dive Team have joined SWIM UP this year to provide mentorship and guidance for our students - and we cannot thank them enough!!
Team USA Member and 2021 Olympic qualifier Andrew Wilson speaks to SWIM UP in August 2020 - for more on Andrew’s olympic journey: https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2021/06/16/andrew-wilson/
The women of the Howard University Swim and Dive Team during one of our sessions with The Washington School for Girls after-school swim club!
During the global pandemic, SWIM UP had to get creative with our Learn to Swim program, but thankfully the values and mission of SWIM UP were always meant to reach far beyond what we taught in the water. Our mission is not only to ensure all children have an equal opportunity to learn to swim and be water-safe, but to also provide a safe space for children to build character and confidence by exceeding expectations and limitations. SWIM UP operated with an online curriculum for the 2020-2021 school year through a partnership with the Howard University Swim and Dive Team and community partners such as Diversity in Aquatics and the International Water Safety Foundation. We also provided a mother and daughter duo from The Washington School for Girls with an opportunity to learn to swim together through lessons at the wonderful SWIMBOX! We were so lucky to work with Coach Dominic at SWIMBOX and will be continuing our scholarship program so families can conquer generational fear and learn to swim together - but we need YOUR support!
Additional SWIM UP guests have included:
1996 Olympic gold medalist Jeremy Linn!
#1 US Ranked Men’s Paralympic Swimmer Jamal Hill - we are proud to support Jamal and his mission to teach one million people to swim! Jamal recently qualified for the Tokyo Paralympics and we hope to have him join us again to share his experience!
Team USA Member Andrew Wilson - Andrew is a DC-area native and now can add “Olympian” to his resume! We are so excited to watch Andrew at the 2021 Tokyo games and hope to have him share his experience with our students upon his return!
Howard University Swim and Dive Team Coach Nic Askew
The pandemic has not slowed our momentum and we are going to continue to fight for equal access to swim lessons and to make water safety a school curriculum requirement! This year has been challenging for so many, but we at SWIM UP are so greatful for the support we have felt. We look forward to getting everyone safely back in the pool - ASAP! Summer programming will resume in July 2021 at Barry Farm Recreation Center and continue for the 2021-2022 school years for both Bishop Walker and Washington School for Girls. We will continue our partnership with Howard University for in-water instruction and cannot wait to get back in the pool! Please consider supporting SWIM UP so we can continue to provide equal access to life-saving swim lessons to both children and their families through our learn to swim curriculum and family scholarship in partnership with SWIMBOX.
Please email swimupdc@gmail.com or follow us on social media! @swimupdc (IG) and www.facebook.com/swimupdc
Jamal Hill joined SWIM UP in October 2020 to share his inspiring story and provide us with a virtual learn-to-swim lesson! Please visit swimuphill.org to learn more about Jamal Hill and his journey in swimming!
“Obstacles are the cost of greatness.”
- Robin Sharma
SWIM UP Founder Mary Bergstrom was invited to speak during a webinar joined by US Olympian Katie Ledecky to discuss the importance of programs that promote equity in aquatics.
1996 Olympic Gold Medalist Jeremy Linn shows off his gold medal to the students of SWIM UP