Drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death among children in the United States. It’s a sobering reality that hits hardest in underserved communities where access to swim lessons and aquatic facilities is limited. That’s where Step Into Swim, an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, continues to step in with purpose.

Since its launch in 2012, Step Into Swim has gifted more than 500,000 swim lessons to children across the U.S. and beyond. In 2025 alone, the program raised over $1.5 million, funding learn-to-swim programs in 43 states, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Grand Cayman, and Canada — providing nearly 20,000 children with access to life-saving water safety education. Every dollar donated goes directly toward programming.

Behind those numbers is a growing coalition built from manufacturers, distributors, trade organizations, and technology providers who see water safety as a shared responsibility.

At the center of the program’s outreach efforts is three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines, who serves as Vice President of Partnerships and Development for PHTA. Gaines has become one of Step Into Swim’s most visible advocates, helping connect industry support directly to community outcomes.

Hayward: Investing in Safer Futures

This year, Hayward expanded its multi-year partnership. They made a $50,000 donation — comprised of $25,000 in cash and $25,000 in equipment — earning Platinum-level supporter status.

Hayward President and CEO Kevin Holleran emphasized that the company’s commitment goes far beyond product innovation.

“Access to swimming pools and water safety education is essential to protecting families and strengthening communities,” Holleran said. “Hayward’s continued support of Step Into Swim helps more children access life-saving learn-to-swim programs. Investing in water safety means investing in safer futures, and this donation reflects Hayward’s values and our commitment to making a meaningful impact beyond the products we design and manufacture.”

Gaines echoed that sentiment, noting that Hayward’s involvement has helped keep community pools open while expanding access to swim lessons for underserved children.

“Hayward’s continued support has not only provided access to swim lessons to underserved children across the country — it has also helped Step Into Swim revitalize community pools that were at risk of closure,” he said.

Heritage Pool Supply Group: Turning Community into Action

For Heritage Pool Supply Group, giving back is woven directly into company culture. Through its Heritage Cares Foundation, the distributor contributed $100,000 to Step Into Swim following its annual charity concert at the Pool & Spa Show in Atlantic City.

Scott Frost, President of Heritage Pool Supply Group, described the initiative as deeply personal for his organization.

“This initiative is very close to our hearts as it aims to create more swimmers and teach children in underserved communities across the country to swim,” Frost said. “By working together, we can make a significant impact and ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn this essential life skill.”

Heritage Cares has selected Step Into Swim as a beneficiary for five consecutive years, helping raise awareness throughout the pool, spa, and hot tub industry while directly funding swim access for thousands of children.

Gaines credited Heritage’s long-term commitment with tangible results.

“Since 2021, Heritage Pool Supply Group’s donations to Step Into Swim have provided nearly 20,000 children access to lifesaving learn-to-swim programs,” he said, calling Frost and the Heritage team “true champions of water safety.”

Pentair Pool: Making Safety the Starting Point

Now in its third year supporting Step Into Swim, Pentair Pool announced a $100,000 contribution as part of its broader commitment to drowning prevention and water safety education.

Greg Claffey, President of Pentair Pool, underscored the importance of introducing children to water in the right way.

“Everyone’s journey should start with a safe introduction to the water,” Claffey said. “This partnership lets us give back to our communities in a meaningful way — by supporting local families through helping future swimmers learn the skills that keep them safe in and around the water.”

Pentair’s Diamond-level support helps fund learn-to-swim programs for thousands of children nationwide. The company also sponsors National Water Safety Month each year, reinforcing its belief that education and awareness are just as critical as equipment and innovation.

Gaines praised Pentair’s consistency.

“Pentair Pool understands that enjoying aquatic environments begins with safety, and they consistently advocate for increased awareness of drowning prevention through their work with Step Into Swim, National Water Safety Month, and other water safety initiatives,” he said.

Fluidra: Five Years of Meaningful Momentum

Marking its fifth consecutive year of support, Fluidra continued its partnership with a $100,000 donation, reinforcing its commitment to underserved communities and vulnerable populations.

Gaines described Fluidra’s impact in deeply human terms.

“Their generosity has had a life-changing positive impact on literally thousands of children who now know how to be safe in and around water,” he said. “Step Into Swim is thrilled to begin our 2026 fundraising with this incredible donation from Fluidra, which will allow us to fund learn-to-swim programs across the country and fulfill our mission to save lives.”

Jon Viner, President of Fluidra North America, emphasized that water safety reaches far beyond the pool deck.

“Ensuring children have the skills to be safe and confident around water is a responsibility that extends beyond the pool,” Viner said. “Through our support of Step Into Swim, we’re helping broaden access to swim education that can truly change — and save — lives.”

Fluidra also noted that in 2025, Step Into Swim fundraising was matched by the PHTA Board of Directors, bringing total contributions to more than $3 million and supporting over 250 programs delivering roughly 180,000 swim lessons.

NESPA Foundation: Rallying the Northeast

Another major supporter helping expand Step Into Swim’s reach is the NESPA Foundation, which continued its partnership as a Diamond Level supporter with a $100,000 donation presented during the 2026 Pool & Spa Show in Atlantic City.

Jeremy Hasbrouck, President of the NESPA Foundation, said the partnership reflects what’s possible when the industry works together toward a common goal.

“Our partnership with Step Into Swim is a testament to what we can achieve when the industry unites for a common cause,” Hasbrouck said. “For the past three years, our matching program has successfully quadrupled funding, turning our members’ generosity into swim lessons. The NESPA Foundation remains steadfast in its commitment to drowning prevention, and we are thrilled to continue this journey with Step Into Swim to make water safety accessible to all.”

Beyond its financial support, the Foundation continues to create tangible community impact throughout the Northeast. Following the show, the NESPA Foundation also presented a $35,000 Step Into Swim grant to the Atlantic City Boys & Girls Club, supporting learn-to-swim programming for local youth.

Rowdy Gaines noted that NESPA’s consistent support has made the organization one of the most influential contributors to Step Into Swim’s growth in the region.

“They have shown up year after year to rally support from their members and raise awareness of the lifesaving importance of swim lessons and water safety,” Gaines said. “Step Into Swim could not reach this level of success in the Northeast without the support of NESPA, its Executive Director Dominick Mondi, and the NESPA Foundation Board.”

Industry Partners Expanding the Mission

Support for Step Into Swim also extends beyond the largest industry manufacturers. A number of companies continue to contribute through ongoing partnerships that collectively strengthen the initiative’s reach.

AquaStar Pool Products, Periodic Products, and Pool Shark H2O recently renewed their partnerships with Step Into Swim with combined donations totaling $50,000, helping fund additional learn-to-swim grants across the country.

Their support contributed to Step Into Swim’s most successful single month of fundraising ever, with donations exceeding $500,000 in January 2026 alone.

“When leaders like AquaStar Pool Products, Periodic Products, and Pool Shark H2O show their support for a cause like Step Into Swim, the rest of the pool, spa, and hot tub industry takes notice,” Gaines said. “Raising awareness of drowning prevention and understanding the lifesaving impact of swim lessons is the first step in eradicating the accidental drowning epidemic.”

For the companies involved, the mission aligns closely with their broader commitment to safety within the aquatic industry.

“At AquaStar Pool Products, safety isn’t just what we manufacture—it’s what we believe in,” said Steve Barnes, Director of Science and Compliance at AquaStar Pool Products. “Teaching children and families to swim saves lives, and we are proud to deepen our commitment.”

Periodic Products has also strengthened its long-term support by contributing to the Rowdy Gaines Water Safety Champion Endowment Fund, helping establish sustainable funding for Step Into Swim well into the future.

Meanwhile, Pool Shark H2O continues to support the initiative through its Silver Level sponsorship.

“Our continued partnership is a win for everyone involved, especially the kids who otherwise may not get access to these lifesaving swim lessons,” said Scott Trafton, President and Co-founder of Pool Shark H2O.

A Collective Mission with Measurable Impact

What makes Step Into Swim especially powerful is its collaborative model. Manufacturers, distributors, and industry partners aren’t competing for recognition — they’re pooling resources around a shared goal: reducing childhood drowning and expanding equitable access to swim education.

From revitalizing community pools to funding grassroots swim programs through YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, community centers, and local organizations, Step Into Swim converts corporate generosity into real-world outcomes.

For the pool and spa industry, this initiative represents something bigger than philanthropy. It’s a unified effort to strengthen communities, improve public health, and ensure that more children grow up with confidence — not fear — around water.

As Gaines often reminds supporters, every lesson matters. Every donation counts. And every child who learns to swim is one more life potentially saved.

And with continued leadership from companies like Hayward, Heritage Pool Supply Group, Pentair Pool, and Fluidra, Step Into Swim is proving that when an industry comes together with purpose, it can make waves far beyond the water’s edge.

Pentair celebrated a major milestone this week as company leadership rang the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange in honor of the company’s 60th anniversary.

The ceremony brought together Pentair’s executive leadership team along with Chairman of the Board Dave Jones to commemorate six decades of innovation in water technology. The event also marked another important milestone for the company: 30 years of trading on the NYSE.

“Celebrating Pentair’s 60th birthday at the NYSE was truly an inspiring and energizing experience,” said Jerome Pedretti, EVP & CEO of Pentair Pool.

In a statement shared following the ceremony, Pentair reflected on the significance of the moment.

“Today, our executive leadership team and Chairman of the Board, Dave Jones, had the honor of ringing the Opening Bell at the New York Stock Exchange,” the company said. “In 2026, Pentair celebrates our 60th anniversary, 50 consecutive years of dividend increases, and 30 years of trading on the NYSE.”

Pentair also used the occasion to thank the people who have supported the company’s growth over the years.

“Thank you to our employees, customers, and shareholders for your support as we advance our mission to help the world sustainably move, improve, and enjoy water, life’s most essential resource,” the company added.

Founded in 1966, Pentair has grown into a global leader in water technology, with solutions that support residential, commercial, and industrial water systems. Within the pool industry, Pentair is widely recognized as one of the sector’s most influential manufacturers.

Its equipment lineup includes pumps, filters, heaters, automation systems, lighting, and water treatment technologies used by pool builders, service professionals, and homeowners around the world.

For the pool industry, the NYSE ceremony served as both a celebration of Pentair’s long history and a reminder of the company’s continuing impact on modern pool technology.

As Pentair marks 60 years in business, the company remains focused on its mission to help people move, improve, and enjoy water around the world.

Photo Credit: New York Stock Exchange

When James Votraw, Southeast Business Development Manager for Latham Pools, steps onto a jobsite or into a dealer’s office today, he carries a story that has now reached millions. Once weighing over 300 pounds and battling exhaustion, stress, and creeping health issues, Votraw has since become the face of one of the most inspiring transformations the pool industry has ever seen. Featured in Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness, and across national media, he lost nearly 150 pounds—not with fad diets, not with a punishing gym routine, but by stepping into the very thing that defines his industry: a backyard pool.

Before his transformation, Votraw was the picture of a hardworking industry veteran—managing more than 100 dealer accounts, traveling across Florida nonstop, and raising three children with his wife Jamie. “I’m in business development for Latham Pools and my main job is helping our dealers grow their businesses,” he explained. “Most of my days are part coaching, part problem-solving, and part road warrior.”

And while he always appreciated the joy pools brought to families, he never imagined the kind of personal transformation one could bring into his own life. “The funny thing is, I was helping everyone else build their dream lifestyle,” he said. “I wasn’t living mine. I was literally surrounded by pools, but not stepping into one.”

The shift began after a series of health scares—including weeks-long bouts of hiccups, a hospital visit, and dangerously high blood pressure—that forced him to confront the reality of where his health was heading. “I saw photos of myself and didn’t even recognize the person I’d become,” he said. “I was great at my job but terrible at taking care of myself.” With no medical solution in sight, he decided it was time to rebuild from the ground up.

Discovering the Power of a Pool

A Lifeline Just Ten Feet Away

What came next was as unexpected as it was life-changing. Votraw didn’t join a gym or hire a trainer. Instead, he made a connection that was hiding in plain sight. “I’ve been surrounded by pools my whole career,” he said. “I always knew they brought happiness to other people. But I never looked at one as a tool for transformation. One day it just clicked: I don’t need a gym membership. I have a world-class training tool sitting in my backyard.”

From that moment, everything changed. “Once I started swimming, the pool stopped being something I sold,” he said. “It became my therapy. My gym. My sanctuary.”

At 5:00 or 6:00 a.m., before his family woke up and before the dealer calls began, he slipped into the water and let the world fall away. Swimming became the space where he reset, recalibrated, and slowly reclaimed control of his health.

The Humbling Start

Even with a lifetime of recreational swimming behind him, the physical reality of swimming for exercise hit hard. “I thought I was just gonna glide across the pool like Michael Phelps,” he joked. “But those first few sessions were rough. Ten minutes felt like an hour. My lungs were on fire.”

But he kept showing up. Every day. No excuses. “I wasn’t chasing a six-pack. I was chasing consistency,” he said.

The First Major Shift

Around the one-month mark, everything began to click into place. “My body was changing, yes,” he recalled. “But the real shift was mental. I started craving that feeling of calm after a swim. That mental reset.”

Water forced him to be present. “Swimming forces you to breathe differently. You can’t check your phone. You can’t check your emails. It’s just you and your rhythm.”

His internal clock changed, too. “When I was heavy, I was forcing myself to get up at 7:00 a.m. Suddenly my body was waking me up at 5:00 a.m.—energized, ready.”

Rebuilding Life One Lap at a Time

A Routine That Became a Lifestyle

More than 500 consecutive swims later, Votraw no longer counts days. Swimming has become as ingrained as drinking his morning coffee. “Sometimes it’s 30 minutes. Sometimes it’s an hour. Sometimes I lose myself in the water and go way over,” he said.

There’s no playlist, no noise, no distraction. “It’s my alone time. It’s my quiet time,” he said. “It’s just me in my head.”

And he’s quick to emphasize that anyone can start small. “Don’t make it a mountain,” he said. “Ten minutes. That’s how I started. Ten minutes twice a day. Just get in the pool and be consistent.”

A Diet Built to Last

Unlike many weight-loss stories, Votraw didn’t rely on strict fad diets. “I wanted something I could do forever,” he said. “Nothing was off limits. I used an 80/20 approach. If I really wanted a McDonald’s cheeseburger, I’d work it into my calories.”

His philosophy is simple: sustainability beats intensity. “Everyone can lose weight,” he said. “The real challenge is keeping it off.”

By focusing on protein, fiber, whole foods—and yes, the occasional processed treat—he created a way of eating that supported his training without feeling restrictive. Today, in maintenance mode, he’s stronger, leaner, and more confident than he’s been in decades.

The Emotional Impact

Weight loss didn’t just improve his health; it changed how he saw himself. “It made me a better father, a better husband, a better employee,” he said. “I think I was good at all those things before… but this gave me confidence.”

One admission was particularly raw. “I used to hide behind black clothes,” he said. “Everything I wore was black. You don’t know your style when you’re hiding behind your weight.”

He also noticed a painful truth about society. “People treat you differently when you’re not obese,” he said. “People open doors. They talk to you differently. It does something for your confidence.”

What His Journey Means for the Pool Industry

A New Way to Talk About Pools

The pool industry is filled with messaging about fun, family, and lifestyle — but Votraw believes we’re underplaying one of the most powerful elements: wellness. “You don’t need a huge pool to make a huge impact,” he said. “Length for laps, consistent depth, integrated steps for recovery, automation, temperature control… that’s what matters.”

His own fiberglass pool is a testament to what a wellness-first design looks like. “I’m fortunate,” he said. “I have an auto cover, a heater and chiller, a freshwater system. It’s like swimming in a natural spring every day.”

Builders and designers, he believes, should rethink how they present pools during the sales process. “The narrative needs to shift,” he said. “The pool isn’t just a place to host barbecues or float with a beer. It’s a place to build better human beings.”

A Message the Industry Needs to Hear

People invest thousands in gym equipment, trainers, recovery tools, and fitness subscriptions. Meanwhile, the pool—often seen only as a luxury—is an all-in-one wellness platform hiding in plain sight. “The pool does it all,” Votraw said. “Cardio, strength, rehab, mindfulness.”

His transformation proves it.

And his message to the rest of the pool industry is simple: “What we build literally changes people’s lives.”

Ready to take a deeper dive?

Listen to our entire conversation with James Votraw on the Pool Magazine Podcast.