Back To School With Swatch, In Support Of Swim For Life

NEW YORK, Aug. 14, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Swatch, the Swiss watch brand, is going back to school and in the pool with the NYC Parks Department program Swim for Life, in an effort to inspire the "Scuba Libre attitude" of confidence in and out of the water. They have made the commitment to enrich the lives of 500 NYC elementary school children by means of a water safety educational course that imparts lifelong benefits through the mastery of swimming. Swatch's significant, charitable contribution, as well as swimwear provided to the participants, will help bring kids from various public schools around the city to the pool deck in the 2013/2014 school year.

Frank Furlan, Country Manager of Swatch Group US, said, "Swatch has always had connections to philanthropy and special causes. We chose to support Swim for Life because we have such a close affinity to what it stands for. It's impressive that even with the little contribution we can make, we are able to give 500 hundred children the opportunity and necessary tools to learn something most of us take for granted, which is how to swim."

According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), drowning ranks 5th among the leading causes of unintentional injury related accidents in the United States. More than one in five victims of drowning are children under the age of 14. Swatch and Swim for Life aim to combat these statistics by raising awareness of the program and making sure students have basic water skills from treading water to being able to recognize perilous situations near bodies of water. "With 14 miles of public beaches in New York City, the goal of Swim for Life is to ensure that children have the basic skills to be safe in and around large bodies of water while having fun. We are grateful for Swatch's contribution, which will allow the program to serve an additional 500 second graders this year," said Annika Holder, Assistant Commissioner for Public Programs.

From October through May, Swatch will join Swim for Life in bringing New York City's second graders from the classroom for swim lessons to help instill confidence and structure in their daily lives. In honor of Swatch's generous contribution, NYC Parks Department dedicated a plaque at The Chelsea Recreation Center on August 1, 2013.

About Swatch
Launched in 1983 by Nicolas G. Hayek, is a leading Swiss watchmaker and one of the world's most popular brands. The first Swatch watches surprised everyone with their revolutionary concept, creative design and provocative spirit. Today Swatch continues to innovate and surprise with new models, collections and special editions. The brand maintains a strong presence in the world of sports with its commitment to snowboarding, free skiing, surfing, FMX and ice cross downhill. Right from the start, Swatch connected with art and artists, and Swatch watches remain a prominent canvas for artists from a broad range of disciplines. 

About Swim for Life
From October through June, Swim for Life runs three 10-week sessions during which students receive formal instruction in swimming and water safety techniques. Second grade students come as a class, once a week, during the school day. Since 2011, more than 18,000 second graders from 193 public schools attended Swim for Life structured swim classes at NYC Parks, Asphalt Green and the YMCA.

Related Links
www.swatch.com

Video with caption: "Swatch makes a commitment to go back to school and in the pool with 500 public school students in the 2013-2014 school year." Video available at: http://origin-qps.onstreammedia.com/origin/multivu_archive/PRNA/ENR/FX-20130814-MM63773-01.mp4

Image with caption: "In honor of Swatch's generous contribution to the Swim for Life program, NYC Parks Department dedicated a plaque at the Chelsea Recreation Center." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130814/MM63773-a

Image with caption: "Swatch is going back to school and in the pool with Swim for Life, in an effort to inspire the "Scuba Libre attitude" of confidence in and out of the water." Image available at: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130814/MM63773-b

SOURCE Swatch