Pool and aquatics industry professional and lifelong swimmer Natalie Hood of the The Grit Game is taking her passion for the water beyond the pool this fall, tackling three open-water endurance races in support of Every Child A Swimmer (ECAS), an organization dedicated to providing children with access to lifesaving swim education.
Through her campaign, She Swims So They Can, Hood will take on the Tennessee Triple Crown of open-water swimming, completing more than 21 miles of open-water racing in just three weeks:
- September 13 – Bridges to Bluffs, 6.2 miles in Knoxville, Tennessee
- September 20 – Hobbs Island, 5 miles in Huntsville, Alabama
- October 3 – Swim the Suck, 10 miles in Chattanooga, Tennessee
For Hood, the challenge brings together a lifelong connection to swimming with a cause deeply rooted in the aquatics industry: making sure more children have the opportunity to learn how to swim.
“Swimming has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, and it has given me so much,” Hood said. “I wanted these swims to mean something beyond crossing a finish line. If the miles I swim can help give more children access to swim lessons and the skills that could one day save their lives, then every mile is worth it.
“This isn’t about seeing how fast I can swim. It’s about using something I know how to do to help more kids learn something every child should have the opportunity to learn. I can swim, so I’m swimming so they can.”
Hood has spent more than two decades in the pool and aquatics industry and competed in swimming through college. After years away from endurance swimming, she is returning to the sport with a focus extending beyond her own performance.
“What Natalie is doing through She Swims So They Can is such a beautiful example of how one person can create a ripple effect of change and hope. We are incredibly thankful for Natalie’s commitment, dedication, and belief in our mission. The entire Every Child a Swimmer team is cheering her on, and we are honored to be part of this journey with her.” – Casey McGovern, Executive Director, Every Child a Swimmer
Supporters can contribute directly to the campaign, purchase campaign apparel, or join the growing group of industry partners supporting Hood’s three-race challenge. 100% of all proceeds goes to Every Child a Swimmer, where every dollar will continue to be tracked.
Industry Support
RevdUp Apparel has joined the campaign, with 100% of the profits from the limited-edition She Swims So They Can fundraising apparel donated directly to Every Child A Swimmer.
“When we learned more about the She Swims So They Can campaign and the mission of Every Child A Swimmer, supporting it was an easy decision for us,” said Don Douglas, Founder of RevdUp Apparel. “Teaching children how to swim isn’t just about recreation— it’s a life-saving skill. As a company that works closely with the pool and aquatic industry, this mission really hits home for us. We wanted to do more than simply create the apparel; we wanted every purchase to make a meaningful impact.” Don Douglas, Founder of RevdUp Apparel.
The campaign is also supported by The Talking Pools Podcast, H2Flow Controls, Tenjam, OnlyPools, Aqua Water Comfort Group, and The Grit Game.
Support the Campaign
Supporters can get involved with the She Swims So They Can campaign in several ways.
- Purchase limited-edition campaign apparel through RevedUp Apparel’s She Swims So They Can store, with 100% of the profits donated directly to Every Child A Swimmer.
- To donate, learn more about Hood’s journey, and follow her progress toward more than 21 miles of open-water racing, visit the She Swims So They Can campaign page.
- Businesses and organizations interested in becoming a She Swims So They Can sponsor can contact Hood directly at nhood@thegritgame.com.
About Every Child A Swimmer
Every Child A Swimmer is dedicated to expanding access to lifesaving swim education and helping more children learn the skills needed to be safer and more confident in and around the water.
— The above press release was posted by Swimming World in conjunction with She Swims So They Can. For press releases and advertising inquiries please contact Advertising@SwimmingWorld.com.