Live Water Foundation

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Annapolis, MD
Live Water Foundation

Paddle. Inspire. Empower - 501(c)(3) non-profit organization We are a Combined Federal Campaign member - #43377

Every action we make is with the intention of fostering a community centered around a commitment to environmental stewardship, equitable access to water activity for youth in Annapolis, and serving our military veterans who have so bravely served for us. We “paddle with a purpose” by infusing our favorite activity with our core values and empowering those we work with to do the same. About our pro

grams:
💧Wai Koa (Hawaiian for “Water Warrior” and pronounced why–ko–uh) is a supplemental adaptive sports program that seeks to enhance the quality of life for physically and mentally disabled veterans, active military, and first responders through stand up paddleboarding. Additionally, we join members of Team Red, White, and Blue (Team RWB) and Wounded Warrior Project for outdoor adventures like paddle tours, and hands-on activities such as park clean-ups and beautification efforts.

💧Our Junior Wai Koa program allows us to provide an unforgettable summer experience for children living in communities of the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis (HACA). For six weeks of summer, members of Live Water Foundation take children out once a week and teach them the basic skills of paddle boarding in a fun, community oriented environment that intrinsically motivates personal growth, physical movement, and feelings of solidarity.

💧For every veteran and youth program we run, we add an environmental initiative. Historically, this has been building oyster cages, trash cleanups both on land and water, and water quality monitoring. In 2021, we began a full-service oyster cage operation to aid in the “Marylanders Grow Oysters” (MGO) project managed by the Oyster Recovery Partnership. Throughout the oyster growing season, our team inspects and maintains cages for the participants of MGO, removing all of the work for them.

05/18/2026

On Friday, April 24, 2026, Coach Sammy led a group of 11 swimmers through another session focused on building confidence and strengthening water safety skills!

Word is spreading about the Live Water Foundation Spring Swim Program, and we were excited to welcome three returning swimmers from previous programs back to the pool! With a larger roster, Coach Patrick kept a watchful eye as lifeguard, while LWF made sure extra swimsuits and towels were available for any last-minute participants.

After class, everyone refueled with pizza and enjoyed a sweet treat from Always Ice Cream 🍕🍦

With three sessions left, we’ll continue helping these kids build the skills they need to succeed during the Summer Swim Test — and gain confidence that lasts far beyond the pool.

Every lesson creates memories, confidence, and opportunities for more best days.

Want to help make those days possible?
💙 Donate
💙 Volunteer
💙 Share our story using

Stay connected & follow our journey: Instagram & Facebook

Donate to support future sessions: livewaterfoundation.org

Volunteer: [email protected]

Together we’re turning the tide for Annapolis’ next generation of swimmers!

Volunteer LWFBestDay

05/01/2026

“Can we do this again tomorrow?” 💙

That’s the kind of energy our swimmers brought to week two and we’re here for it!

On Friday, April 17, Live Water Foundation held the second session of our 2026 Spring Swim Program at Center Lane Swim’s Edgewater location. Coach Josie led the group alongside Coach TJ, helping swimmers take on one of the biggest hurdles: putting their heads under water and trusting themselves to do it.

Eight enthusiastic returning swimmers jumped back in, continuing to build confidence, skills, and a growing love for the water with every lap.

After class, the group refueled with Chick-fil-A and, of course, ice cream from our amazing partner, Always Ice Cream. While enjoying their treats on the patio, swimmers got a special surprise when Adam Cohen, co-owner of Always Ice Cream, stopped by giving them the chance to say a heartfelt “thank you” in person.

Huge thank you to , , and the for continuing to show up for these kids and make moments like this possible.

With four sessions left, we’re just getting started and we’re going to make every moment count, in and out of the water!

Want to help create more “best days”?
Donate, volunteer, or share our story using at www.livewaterfoundation.org.

Follow along: Instagram & Facebook
Volunteer: [email protected]

Together, we’re turning the tide for Annapolis’ next generation of swimmers.

Volunteer LWFBestDay

04/17/2026

“Today is the best day I’ve had!” 💙

That’s how one of our swimmers wrapped up our very first Spring session ~ and honestly, it says it all!

Last Friday, April 10th, LWF kicked off its 2026 Spring Swim Program with an energetic, hour-long session led by Coach Josie at Center Lane Swim’s Edgewater location.

Through our partnership with the Annapolis Police Department () and Center Lane Swim (), this program serves nine children from underserved neighborhoods in Annapolis. Five swimmers are just beginning their journey, building foundational skills, while four returning participants are continuing to grow through the Junior Wai Koa Swim curriculum.

After a full hour in the water, the group refueled with pizza and celebrated with ice cream from Always Ice Cream (),our generous new partner, who will be treating swimmers after each Spring session! How cool is that?!

We have five more sessions ahead, and we can’t wait to watch each swimmer grow in confidence, skill, and love for the water.

Huge thank you to Center Lane Swim and Always Ice Cream for making this possible!

Want to help create more “best days”? Donate, volunteer, or share our story using at www.livewaterfoundation.org.

Stay Connected

Follow our journey: Instagram & Facebook @ LiveWaterFoundation

Donate to support future sessions: livewaterfoundation.org

Volunteer: [email protected]

Together we’re turning the tide for Annapolis’ next generation of swimmers.

Volunteer LWFBestDay

02/12/2026

It’s hard to believe tomorrow is our final swim session!

After icy roads and unplowed streets kept everyone safely at home on January 30th, the Live Water Foundation (LWF) crew and Coach Josie were excited to reunite for the fifth session of the 2026 Junior Wai Koa Winter Swim Program last Friday at Center Lane Swim School.

Seven enthusiastic swimmers skipped the pre-swim snacks and headed straight into the pool, eager to get started. Coach Josie measured each child’s back-float progress during the lessons, celebrating just how far they’ve come. After class, she surprised everyone with Chick-fil-A ~ and let’s just say, there were no leftovers!

The 2026 Junior Wai Koa Winter Swim Program finale takes place tomorrow, February 13, 2026. With Coach Josie back in action, the dedication of the LWF crew, and a generous grant from City of Annapolis, these swimmers have made incredible strides since the January 9 kickoff ~ mastering back-floats, strengthening stroke technique, and building confidence both in and out of the water.

We are so proud of their growth and can’t wait to celebrate them tomorrow!

Stay Connected and follow our journey on Instagram & Facebook:

Donate to support future sessions: livewaterfoundation.org

Volunteer: [email protected]

Together, we’re turning the tide for Annapolis’ next generation of swimmers!

01/27/2026

Our nine enthusiastic swimmers from local underserved neighborhoods returned to Center Lane Swim in Edgewater, MD, for the third session of the 2026 Junior Wai Koa Winter Swim Program this past Friday!

With Coach Josie out sick, Coach Meg stepped in and delivered the same high-energy instruction and encouragement the kids have come to love. Three dedicated volunteers from Live Water were in the pool reinforcing each skill, keeping the environment supportive, fun, and full of confidence-building moments.

As always, the swimmers enjoyed a light snack before class and celebrated their hard work with pizza afterward.

We’re officially halfway through our six-session winter program with just three more Fridays to go: January 30, February 6, and February 13.

We can’t wait to see how much more these kids grow in and out of the water!

01/23/2026

Nine children from local underserved neighborhoods arrived for the second session of the Junior Wai Koa winter swim program last Friday! The kids were visibly thrilled, spending more time in the water, laughing, and eagerly practicing new strokes. Their happiness was amplified by the familiar routine of a light snack before class and pizza afterwards.

Coach Josie, owner of Center Lane Swim School, provided instruction, while volunteers reinforced the skills she taught, ensuring a supportive and fun learning environment. The increased attendance and extended water time boosted the participants’ growing enthusiasm and confidence, promising an exciting continuation of the program.

We’re so grateful to the City of Annapolis for grant support that helps make our youth swim program possible!

Looking forward to hosting week 3 this afternoon 🏊

01/13/2026

We’re back for our 2026 Winter Swim Program!

Live Water Foundation (LWF), in partnership with Center Lane Swim School in Edgewater, MD, kicked off the Junior Wai Koa (JWK) 2026 Winter Swim Program on Friday, January 9, 2026.

The Annapolis Police Department brought eight children from local underserved communities to receive free six‑lesson swim instruction. Coach Josie, owner of Center Lane Swim School, has once again generously donated both the indoor pool and instruction to these amazing kids.

In addition to the swim lessons, participants enjoyed snacks before and pizza after pool instruction. Volunteers assisted Coach Josie by reinforcing the skills she taught, and LWF together with Center Lane Swim School provided all food and drinks.

Our JWK swimmers will return to the pool for five additional Fridays, concluding on February 13, 2026.

Follow our progress and help us keep the momentum going!

Volunteer

09/20/2025

Our last paddle of the season with Team RWB might just have been the most rewarding yet! Before hitting the water, we continued down the path clearing invasive bittersweet along the trail to Capital SUP — saving so many native trees from being choked out. 💪🌳We wrapped up with a paddle with the best weather we have had all season. What a perfect morning!

07/25/2025

Wow, what an extra special paddle today! We had our final paddle of the season with (😢), and as always, it was full of smiles, laughter, friendly competitions, and fun in the sun. We even got a surprise delivery BY BOAT ~ watch until the end to see who it was from!

07/24/2025

The rain has kept this crew away for most of the summer, but you’d never know it! Today’s group of adaptive paddlers showed incredible determination and spirit ~ and our first-timer paddled like he’d been doing it for years!

We can’t wait to share more moments like this in August 🌞

Address

Annapolis, MD

Website

https://linktr.ee/livewaterfoundation

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