At Memphis RiverSharks, we provide the opportunity for every child in Memphis and the Mid-south to learn to swim. Our swim program and partnerships with swim lesson coaches, water safety advocates, and community partners, allow us to provide swim and water safety and competitive swimming lessons. We also educate children and their families on the importance of learning how to swim. Through our partnership with The Y of the Mid-south, we embrace and promote the core values of respect, responsibility, caring, and honesty, as well as encourage commitment, self-discipline, sportsmanship, time management, and leadership. Our after-school and weekend swim program is specifically designed to address racial and economic disparities affecting minority youth and empowering them to be a positive change in their community. While promoting youth empowerment, education, and employment, the Memphis RiverSharks are helping to reduce poverty, crime, recidivism, and unemployment.

Our afterschool and weekend swim program aims to teach underserved families and children, including low income and children with disabilities, water safety, swim lessons, and competitive swim skills. Additionally, students will learn self-advocacy, life skills, and softskills such as teamwork, communication, leadership, and problem-solving. Students will be exposed to swim competitions, postsecondary education, and employment opportunities such as life guard training.

The program will lead to academic success, job placement, scholarships, as well as individual and community growth. Youth will… Learn water safety and swim skills, Participate in swim competitions and join water polo teams, Teach swim lessons and water safety to community youth, Attend college and compete on a college level, have an opportunity to become paid lifeguard and water safety instructors.