Pool industry professional launches “She Swims So They Can” campaign ahead of three endurance races this fall

Pool and aquatics industry professional and lifelong swimmer Natalie Hood of the The Grit Game is taking her passion for the water beyond the pool this fall, tackling three open-water endurance races in support of Every Child A Swimmer (ECAS), an organization dedicated to providing children with access to lifesaving swim education.

Through her campaign, She Swims So They Can, Hood will take on the Tennessee Triple Crown of open-water swimming, completing more than 21 miles of open-water racing in just three weeks:

● September 13 – Bridges to Bluffs, 6.2 miles in Knoxville, Tennessee
● September 20 – Hobbs Island, 5 miles in Huntsville, Alabama
● October 3 – Swim the Suck, 10 miles in Chattanooga, Tennessee

For Hood, the challenge brings together a lifelong connection to swimming with a cause deeply rooted in the aquatics industry: making sure more children have the opportunity to learn how to swim.

“Swimming has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and it has given me so much,” Hood said. “I wanted these swims to mean something beyond crossing a finish line. If the miles I swim can help give more children access to swim lessons and the skills that could one day save their lives, then every mile is worth it.”

Hood has spent more than two decades in the pool and aquatics industry and competed in swimming through college. After years away from endurance swimming, she is returning to the sport with a focus extending beyond her own performance.

“What Natalie is doing through She Swims So They Can is such a beautiful example of how one person can create a ripple effect of change and hope. We are incredibly thankful for Natalie’s commitment, dedication, and belief in our mission. The entire Every Child a Swimmer team is cheering her on, and we are honored to be part of this journey with her.” – Casey McGovern, Executive Director, Every Child a Swimmer

Supporters can contribute directly to the campaign, purchase campaign apparel, or join the growing group of industry partners supporting Hood’s three-race challenge. 100% of all proceeds goes to Every Child a Swimmer, where every dollar will continue to be tracked.

Industry Support

RevdUp Apparel has joined the campaign, with 100% of the profits from the limited-edition She Swims So They Can fundraising apparel donated directly to Every Child A Swimmer.

“When we learned more about the She Swims So They Can campaign and the mission of Every Child A Swimmer, supporting it was an easy decision for us,” said Don Douglas, Founder of RevdUp Apparel. “Teaching children how to swim isn’t just about recreation— it’s a life-saving skill. As a company that works closely with the pool and aquatic industry, this mission really hits home for us. We wanted to do more than simply create the apparel; we wanted every purchase to make a meaningful impact.” Don Douglas, Founder of RevdUp Apparel.

The campaign is also supported by The Talking Pools Podcast, H2Flow Controls, Tenjam, OnlyPools, Aqua Water Comfort Group, and The Grit Game.

“This isn’t about seeing how fast I can swim,” Hood said. “It’s about using something I know how to do to help more kids learn something every child should have the opportunity to learn. I can swim, so I’m swimming so they can.”

Support the Campaign

Supporters can get involved with the She Swims So They Can campaign in several ways.

● Purchase limited-edition campaign apparel through RevedUp Apparel’s She Swims So They Can store, with 100% of the profits donated directly to Every Child A Swimmer.
● To donate, learn more about Hood’s journey, and follow her progress toward more than 21 miles of open-water racing, visit the She Swims So They Can campaign page.
● Businesses and organizations interested in becoming a She Swims So They Can sponsor can contact Hood directly at [email protected].

About Every Child A Swimmer

Every Child A Swimmer is dedicated to expanding access to lifesaving swim education and helping more children learn the skills needed to be safer and more confident in and around the water.

Media & Sponsorship Contact
Natalie Hood
[email protected]

Southern Nevada pool builder repeats as Home Services – Pool Builder champion in FOX5’s community-voted awards program

(August 2026) Las Vegas, NV— Paragon Pools has been named the GOLD winner in the Home Services – Pool Builder category of the 2026 Vegas Viewer’s Choice Awards, presented by FOX5 Las Vegas, the company’s second consecutive year taking the top honor.

This marks the second consecutive GOLD award for Paragon Pools in the Viewer’s Choice Awards, which launched in 2025 to recognize and celebrate businesses that make Southern Nevada unique. Hosted on the FOX5 website, the competition unfolds over several online phases: a nomination phase, in which community members submit businesses across 15 main categories, followed by a 31-day voting phase in which verified voters may cast one vote per category, per email address, per day. The business earning the most votes in each category receives the GOLD award.

“Earning the top award two years in a row confirms that Southern Nevada households appreciate our commitment to designing and building high-quality pools and spas for their families,” said Paragon Pools President Joseph M. Vassallo, CBP, PHTA Fellow. “We’re proud to receive this recognition and grateful to everyone who took the time to vote for us.”

Founded in 2001, Paragon Pools is a licensed residential and commercial pool construction company specializing in new builds and renovations throughout Southern Nevada. The custom builder is known for luxury-style projects designed within the Las Vegas Valley Water District’s residential pool size limit of 600 square feet of surface area. Over the years, Paragon Pools has earned numerous design, business and philanthropic honors. A longtime member of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), Vassallo and his son, Joseph Anthony, have each been named PHTA “Pool Builder of the Year” — Joe Sr. in 2012 and Joe Jr. in 2021.

ABOUT PARAGON POOLS

Paragon Pools is an award-winning, custom in-ground swimming pool and spa design/build company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. The contractor specializes in new construction and major renovations for residential and commercial clients. Paragon Pools has received numerous accolades worldwide for its distinctive designs, trend-setting techniques and renovation work. Its client roster includes major hotels, casino executives, professional athletes and celebrities, and the company has been featured in numerous TV, cable and news profiles, including HGTV.com’s Designers Showcase.

Learn more about the 2026 Vegas Viewer’s Choice Awards at fox5vegas.com/page/viewers-choice.

Pentair Pool announced that its Sanford, North Carolina manufacturing site has been recognized with two workplace safety honors from the North Carolina Department of Labor: the Million Hour Safety Award and the Gold Award. This marks the second consecutive year the Sanford site has received both awards.

The Million Hour Safety Award recognizes organizations that have achieved more than one million consecutive work hours without a significant injury or illness resulting in lost time. The Gold Award, the highest safety honor awarded by the North Carolina Department of Labor, is presented to organizations with outstanding safety records and an incident rate below 50% of their industry average. 

“Safety excellence is a continuous journey,” says Michael Stephens, Pentair Pool Sanford, Environment, Health, Safety Manager. “Through a growth mindset and daily improvement, our Sanford team is committed to protecting each other and driving world-class safety performance.” 

These recognitions reinforce Pentair Pool’s commitment to creating a workplace environment where safety is embedded in every action and decision.

About Pentair Pool
At Pentair, we help the world safely and sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource. From our residential and business solutions to industrial water management and everything in between, Pentair is focused on smart, sustainable water solutions that help our planet and people thrive.

As an industry leader in the pool and spa space, Pentair Pool is driven to help people safely and sustainably enjoy water. Our solutions include industry-leading pumps, automation, lighting, heating, and filtration technology that help our customers enjoy a smarter and more sustainable pool. Customer success is at the heart of our vision for bringing family and friends together in the pool and on the deck to build social connections, create lifelong memories, and help promote fitness and enjoyment. For more information, visit www.pentairpool.com.