IRONMAN Foundation and YMCA Partner to Make Waves in Youth Water Safety
October 24, 2025
The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina proudly celebrated its partnership with the IRONMAN Foundation on Thursday, October 23, at the Nir Family YMCA through the Swim Ready program. Through Swim Ready, grant funding is awarded to select community organizations to provide essential resources, support, and education to promote safer aquatic activities. Staff and volunteers affiliated with the IRONMAN Foundation joined YMCA aquatics staff to lead water safety activities, ensuring more community members could enjoy the water safely.
Reflecting the YMCA’s ongoing commitment to serving the community and expanding access to swim lessons for all, this program addresses a critical community need by teaching essential water safety and swimming skills to prevent drowning and injury.
“At the Y, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe and strong in the water,” said Austin Moore, Swim Specialist at the Nir Family YMCA. “Through our partnership with the IRONMAN Foundation, we were able to reach even more families with lifesaving swim education and resources that strengthen our entire community.”
The IRONMAN Foundation’s Swim Ready Grant Program supports organizations nationwide that are committed to reducing drowning risks and promoting swim safety for youth and families. This partnership reinforces the shared commitment of the YMCA and the IRONMAN Foundation to strengthen communities through education, empowerment, and wellness — both in and out of the water.
“Swim safety and instruction, especially for children, is an important part of our giveback efforts,” shared Audra Tassone-Indeck, Executive Director of the IRONMAN Foundation. “When we decided to launch the Swim Ready program this year, teaming up with the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina to provide lessons to children wasn’t even a question. We’re honored and excited to continue our support of the YMCA and the amazing work they do.”
The YMCA extends its gratitude to the volunteers, families, and community partners who made the day a success and looks forward to continuing this vital work in the years to come.
For more information about the IRONMAN Foundation, visit ironmanfoundation.org.
To learn more about the YMCA’s swim programs and community initiatives, visit ymcasenc.org.
About the YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina
The Y is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina, comprised of three membership facilities, a Youth Services branch, and one overnight camp, serves more than 30,000 men, women, and children to help nurture the potential of children and teens, improve our community’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Deeply rooted in the community for 137 years, the YMCA of Southeastern NC has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change.
About the IRONMAN Foundation
The IRONMAN Foundation, Inc. creates positive, tangible change in IRONMAN® race communities by engaging athletes and volunteers to participate in programs that demonstrate service through sport and commitment to community. Since 2003, over $55,000,000 has been provided through IRONMAN charitable giveback programs, including the IRONMAN Foundation, to more than 10,000 local, regional, national, and global nonprofit initiatives. Through these partnerships, IRONMAN® Series, Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, and UTMB® Series participants are powerfully linked to the community and together help leave a positive legacy behind in race communities long after event day. For more information on The IRONMAN Foundation programs, including Team IMF, Community Fund, Race For Change™, Rock This Town®, and Your Journey Your Cause®, visit www.ironmanfoundation.org
