In a remarkable show of industry solidarity, major manufacturers, distributors, and associations from across the pool, spa, and outdoor living sector have stepped up with significant financial backing for Step Into Swim, the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance’s (PHTA) initiative dedicated to creating more swimmers through safe swim education and drowning prevention.
The collective contributions — totaling well over $400,000 — were announced at this year’s Pool & Spa Show in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Among the standout supporters:
• Fluidra, a global provider of pool and wellness solutions, continued its long-running support with a $100,000 donation — marking its fifth consecutive year of backing Step Into Swim’s mission.
•Hayward Holdings, Inc. donated $50,000 in cash and $50,000 in equipment for a Step Into Swim pool, advancing its partnership with PHTA and reinforcing its commitment to expanding access to life-saving swim lessons.
• Pentair Pool reaffirmed its support with a $100,000 contribution, continuing its multi-year commitment to water safety education and learnto- swim program funding.
• Heritage Pool Supply Group and its Heritage Cares Foundation donated $100,000, supported by a charity concert at the pool industry trade show that helped amplify awareness for drowning prevention and swim access.
Other Diamond-level contributors include the Northeast Spa & Pool Association (NESPA) Foundation, Foss Swim School, and the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation, reflecting how diverse stakeholders are engaging with the cause.
According to Step Into Swim leadership, every dollar contributed goes directly to local swim lesson programs, swim school partnerships, and educational outreach — with no funds diverted away from programming. Since 2012, the initiative has provided more than 500,000 swim lessons and continues to grow its reach into underserved communities across the U.S., the Caribbean, and Canada.
As Step Into Swim enters another year with strong backing from manufacturers and distributors alike, the initiative’s message is clear: Ensuring that every child has the chance to learn to swim — and learn water safety — is not just a philanthropic goal, but an industry imperative.
