Why a group of high schoolers started a swim school
CNY Splash began with a group of Fayetteville-Manlius student-athletes — competitive swimmers, lifeguards, and Water Safety Instructors — who noticed something they didn't want to take for granted: growing up with access to lakes, pools, and swim programs had shaped who they were. It gave them confidence, discipline, and in some cases, a sport they loved for life.
They also knew that not every child in Central New York has that same access. Some families face cost barriers to swim lessons; others simply don't know where to start. Our founders — multi-sport athletes balancing swim team, scuba diving, tennis, music, and academic competition alongside this nonprofit — decided to close that gap themselves.
What started as a shared conversation about giving back became CNY Splash: a nonprofit run entirely by students, offering the same high-quality, safety-first swim instruction that shaped their own lives — free, and open to any child in our community.
"Every child deserves the chance to feel safe and confident in the water — regardless of their family's circumstances."
