Swimming 17 Miles in the New York Waterways to Provide Free Swim Lessons

On August 26, I will swim 17 miles from Manhattan to Brooklyn - a challenge that was first accomplished by Rose Pitonof in 1911. She swam from East 26th Street to Steeplechase Pier and gained worldwide recognition as the World's Women's Long-Distance Swimming Champion. Her incredible feats, including life-saving performances, amazed audiences of up to 50,000 people in the early 1900s.

100+ years later, our relationship with water in this city needs to change. That's why I'm partnering with + POOL and URBANSWIM to raise awareness for free learn-to-swim programs in New York City and educate our community on the safety and cleanliness of our waterways.

As a native New Yorker from Brooklyn, I'm passionate and determined to spread awareness around this cause. It will be an incredible experience to retrace my way back to Brooklyn via our waterways.

The terrific team at + POOL has been working hard to drive awareness while creating paths for swim inclusion. I am deeply honored to be part of the team working to build – the first water-filtrating, floating pool in New York, hopefully in the East River, where this swim will start. Our efforts will make a lasting positive impact on cities globally.

+ POOL will change New York, and we must ensure its residents know how to swim! The reality is that 79% of children in households with incomes less than $50,000 have little-to-no swimming ability (USA Swimming Foundation). Black children drown at almost triple the overall national rate (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Formal swimming lessons can reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning by as much as 88% (USA Swimming Foundation), which is why we need everyone's support.

Let's make a splash together and provide kids in New York City access to free swimming!

Donation: https://givebutter.com/Bluefish2023/fleur-sohtz-1