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$100,000 Hayward Donation to Step Into Swim Builds Physical and Mental Health; Reaffirms Partnership with Pool & Hot Tub Alliance
- Jan 30, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 30, 2025
Media Contacts:
Amy Willer
Director, Content and Communications
703-838-0083, ext. 121 | awiller@phta.org
Misty Zelent
Head of Communications
512-799-0180 | mzelent@hayward.com
$100,000 HAYWARD DONATION TO STEP INTO SWIM BUILDS PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH; REAFFIRMS PARTNERSHIP WITH POOL & HOT TUB ALLIANCE
Hayward marks its 100th anniversary with $100,000 donation at the 2025 Pool & Spa Show in Atlantic City, NJ
(Charlotte, NC) — Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) President and CEO Kevin Holleran presented a $100,000 donation – in honor of the company’s 100th year anniversary – to Step Into Swim, an initiative of the Pool & Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA).
Hayward representatives present a check to Step Into Swim at the 2025 Pool & Spa Show
Three-time Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines, who leads Step Into Swim as PHTA’s Vice President of Partnerships and Development, received the donation at a brief ceremony at Hayward’s booth at the 2025 Pool and Spa Show in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
“When kids learn to swim, they unlock new opportunities and build physical and mental health – that’s the power of Step Into Swim,” Holleran said. “This $100,000 donation to commemorate Hayward’s 100th Anniversary will strengthen communities for years to come. Championing this kind of impact makes every one of us who works at Hayward proud to play a small supporting role.”
In 2024, Step Into Swim raised over $1.2 million, which funded learn-to-swim programs in 43 states, Canada, Grand Cayman, and American Samoa and provided swim lessons to over 30,000 children. The initiative has gifted more than 400,000 swim lessons since 2012. The program is funded through partner contributions, which are integral for advancing the mission. Every dollar donated goes directly to learn-to-swim programming.
“We are excited to once again partner with Hayward so more children across the country can learn how to swim, build lifelong skills and grow their confidence in the water,” said Gaines. “I want to thank every employee at Hayward whose work made this donation possible and congratulate the company as it celebrates its 100th Anniversary!”
Today’s donation continued the longstanding partnership between Hayward and the PHTA.
Hayward’s donation is comprised of $50,000 in cash and $50,000 in equipment for a Step Into Swim pool. This donation builds on previous years of support that Hayward has provided Step Into Swim. Last year, the company announced a Platinum-level partnership with Step Into Swim. This year’s donation now makes Hayward a Diamond-level partner.
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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 400,000 children with support from community organizations, partners, industry advocates, members, and more. For more information, visit www.StepIntoSwim.org.
About Hayward Holdings, Inc.
Hayward Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: HAYW) is a leading global designer and manufacturer of pool and outdoor living technology. With a mission to deliver exceptional products, outstanding service and innovative solutions to transform the experience of water, Hayward offers a full line of energy-efficient and sustainable residential and commercial pool equipment including pumps, filters, heaters, cleaners, sanitizers, LED lighting, and water features all digitally connected through Hayward’s intuitive IoT-enabled SmartPad™.
