+ POOL
Bluefish Swim Program
Summer Bluefish is a program that offers free swim lessons to youth ages 5-18 who would otherwise not have the opportunity to learn to swim. The program works to get kids excited about swimming in the river as + POOL works to provide clean and safe access to it.
Friends of + POOL provides each student with everything they need to be successful in the swim program. This includes swim gear consisting of a swimsuit, swim cap, goggles, and towel; as well as a t-shirt, bag, and booklet that outlines the lessons learned each day of class.
We commission an artist each year to design a unique pattern for the swim gear to celebrate the new class of students, then work with a clothing label to produce each item and distribute to students free of charge. At the end of the program, each student receives a medal to commemorate their completion of the program and a mock-up of a + POOL tile, engraved with their name, that will be installed in + POOL once built.
Sponsor a child for this year’s swim camp! *For every donation of $333, one child learns to swim!
See the 2016 Bluefish Team in action here.
See the 2017 Bluefish Team in action here.
See the 2018 Bluefish Team in action here.
See the 2019 Bluefish Team in action here.
See the 2021 Bluefish Team in action here
See the 2022 Bluefish Team in action here
See the 2023 Bluefish Team in action here
See the 2024 Bluefish Team in action here
See the 2025 Bluefish Team in action here
Our Partners
USA Swimming Foundation – Make a Splash
The USA Swimming Foundation’s Make a Splash initiative is a national, child-focused water safety campaign that aims to ensure every child in America has the opportunity to learn to swim. Through partnerships with swim lesson providers and water safety advocates, the Foundation has invested millions of dollars in grants, national awareness campaigns, and strategic collaborations to help end drowning. To date, over 4 million children have received the lifesaving gift of swim lessons through the Make a Splash Local Partner network — over 750 qualified providers across the country. To learn more, visit here.
New York City Housing Authority
NYCHA provides affordable housing to nearly 600,000 New Yorkers — 1 in 17 city residents — through public housing, PACT, and Section 8 programs. Since the launch of Bluefish in 2016, NYCHA has helped connect public housing families to free swim lessons with + POOL, promoting water safety and equity in neighborhoods across the five boroughs.
Step Into Swim
Step Into Swim is a national initiative powered by the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance, committed to creating more swimmers through access to safe, inclusive swim education. + POOL is proud to partner with Step Into Swim to expand swim equity across New York City.
Trinity Church Wall Street – Downtown Fund
The Downtown Fund supports initiatives that promote equity and opportunity for all New Yorkers. Through this support, Bluefish is able to provide free swim lessons and water safety education to youth in underserved communities near the East River.
Summer Bluefish is made possible by a generous community of individuals and institutions who believe every child should have access to free swim lessons. Special thanks to: Brett Honneus, Deodat Singh, Ellen Sexton, George Fontas, Greenpoint Landing Developers, Helen Julius, Jeffrey & Mina Barany, John McGinn & Cary Davis, Joseph Lewis, Kristina Saxena, Louise Story, Rashid Johnson, Saneel Radia, Standard Architects, Steve Ells & Tariq Dixon, Steven Harper, Victor & Gia Alvarez, Wanda Knight, Yusuf Elashmaswy.
