About Us
WHAT WE DO
Own Your Float was founded in 2022 by Kate Casciato, then 12 years old, What started as one girl handing out water safety flyers outside of community centers and pools has grown into a student-led movement after a family member nearly drowned in a riptide. A competitive swimmer her entire life, Kate knew firsthand what water literacy could mean — and she saw clearly what happened to kids who never had access to it. What began as one student's mission has grown into a student-led movement: young people who believe water safety education shouldn't depend on your zip code. The gold standard is a swim lesson. But some children never get one. Own Your Float exists because that gap is not acceptable.
Founded
Why We Exist
Swim lessons save lives. We know that. We believe in them. We even help other organizations fundraise for them.
But here's the reality: some kids will never get one.
The reasons run deep — cost, access, and generations of families who were kept out of pools by law. Those reasons don't disappear overnight.
And while we work toward a world where every child has access to a swim lesson, children are around water right now without the knowledge to survive it.
That's why we start with education. Early. Because a child who knows the rules of water safety is safer than a child who doesn't — swim lesson or not.
What People Are Saying
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“This program made water safety approachable and engaging for our students.”
— Michael R.
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“A valuable addition to our child safety curriculum.”
— Sarah L.
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“This program made water safety approachable and engaging for our students.”
— David K.