Step Into Swim Expands Partnerships with AquaStar Pool Products, Periodic Products, and Pool Shark H2O to Increase Access to Swim Lessons

Pool industry leaders commit $50,000 to Step Into Swim to fund learn-to-swim programs across the country

Alexandria, VA (February 24, 2026) – Step Into Swim, an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA) dedicated to creating more swimmers through safe swim education, is pleased to announce renewed partnerships with AquaStar Pool Products, Periodic Products, and Pool Shark H2O. These three partners are donating a total of $50,000, which will help Step Into Swim gift grants to learn-to-swim providers across the country and fund swim lessons while lowering the drowning rate.

These generous donations helped to build Step Into Swim’s most successful one-month period of fundraising ever, with total donations exceeding $500,000 in January 2026. This support will allow Step Into Swim to provide funding to more learn-to-swim programs as they prepare for the peak summer swim season.

“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,” says three-time Olympic Gold Medalist Rowdy Gaines, Vice President of Partnerships & Development at PHTA, who leads the Step Into Swim initiative. “Raising awareness of drowning prevention and understanding the lifesaving impact of swim lessons is the first step in eradicating the accidental drowning epidemic. Step Into Swim is so grateful to these companies for their donations year after year and the positive impact these funds have in communities across the country.”

Drowning is the leading cause of death among children ages 1 to 4, though learning to swim from a qualified instructor reduces the risk of drowning by 88% among this age group. Step Into Swim is taking an active role to reduce drowning by reaching as many families as possible through safe swimming education.

Partnership with AquaStar Pool Products

AquaStar Pool Products is a global leader in safety, dependability, and innovation in swimming pool technology. The company is committed to designing, manufacturing, the assembling their products to the highest level of quality and safety compliance. They have supported Step Into Swim for the past several years, but this new donation cements their place as a Gold Level sponsor.

“At AquaStar Pool Products, safety isn’t just what we manufacture—it’s what we believe in,” says Steve Barnes, Director of Science and Compliance at AquaStar Pool Products. “Step Into Swim’s mission to break down the barriers to swimming aligns perfectly with our core values. Teaching children and families to swim saves lives, and we are proud to deepen our commitment as a Gold Level sponsor.”

Partnership with Periodic Products, Inc.

Periodic Products is committed to advancing responsible science and breakthrough chemical technologies for the pool and hot tub industries. For the fifth consecutive year, Periodic Products is continuing its commitment to Step Into Swim and contributing to the Rowdy Gaines Water Safety Champion Endowment Fund for the second year in a row. This fund establishes the long-term, sustainable support of Step Into Swim for many years to come.

“This sponsorship at the Gold Level for five consecutive years demonstrates Periodic Products’ commitment to the mission of the Step Into Swim initiative of eliminating childhood drownings,” says Joseph Laurino, Ph.D., President and CEO of Periodic Products, and a past chairman and current member of the PHTA Board of Directors. “This year, our second contribution to the Endowment Fund—established to support the Step Into Swim mission in perpetuity—represents the company’s and its employees’ dedication to making the backyard swimming pool a healthy and safe family environment.”

Partnership with Pool Shark H2O

Pool Shark H2O simplifies commercial swimming pool maintenance and record keeping with a simple, easy-to-implement and manage cloud-based solution that brings pool operators confidence that their pools are being managed safely. Through its Silver Level sponsorship, Pool Shark H2O will help Step Into Swim provide lifesaving learn-to-swim programming for children in need.

“Working with Rowdy Gaines and the Step Into Swim team has exceeded our expectations and provided a way for us to give back to the community,” says Scott Trafton, President & Co-founder of Pool Shark H2O. “Our continued partnership is a win for everyone involved, especially the kids who otherwise may not get access to these lifesaving swim lessons. Thank you Rowdy and the Step Into Swim team for providing us this opportunity.”

Step Into Swim and its supporters provide the lifesaving skill of learning to swim and raise awareness of the pool and hot tub industry’s role in improving public health and safety. In 2025, Step Into Swim raised over $1.5 million, which provided grants across 43 states, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Grand Cayman, and Canada and funded swim lessons for nearly 20,000 children. The initiative has gifted more than 500,000 swim lessons since 2012. Step Into Swim is funded through partner contributions, which are integral for advancing the mission. Every dollar donated goes directly to learn-to-swim programming. To learn more, visit www.stepintoswim.org.

 

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About the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and Step Into Swim

The Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), a non-profit organization with 4,000 members from around the world, was established in 1956 to support, promote, and protect the common interests of the $62B pool, hot tub, and spa industry. PHTA provides education, advocacy, standards development, research, and market growth initiatives to increase our members' professionalism, knowledge, and profitability. Additionally, PHTA promotes the use of pools by expanding swimming, water safety, and related research and outreach activities aimed at introducing more people to swimming, making swimming environments safer, and keeping pools open to serve communities. For more information, visit www.phta.org.

Step Into Swim™ is an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance and its foundation committed to safe swim education and drowning prevention. By investing in the next generation of swimmers through learn-to-swim programming, the Step Into Swim initiative instills confidence, empowers long-term participation in water activities, touts the positive benefits of water play, and advocates for safe practices. Since its inception in 2012, Step Into Swim has played a role in reducing drowning fatalities and has gifted swim lessons to more than 500,000 children with support from community organizations, partners, industry advocates, members, and more. For more information, visit www.stepintoswim.org.

Contact for PHTA/Step Into Swim:
Amy Willer
Senior Director, Content & Communications
awiller@phta.org
703-838-0083, ext. 121