Swim Up Hill, California Science Center Launch First Virtual Swim Experience in LA84-Funded Exhibit
The Californer/10319007

LOS ANGELES - Californer -- Swim Up Hill, the Black-led nonprofit redefining access to swim education, has partnered with the California Science Center to unveil the first virtual swim simulator featured in a major museum exhibit. Now open to the public as part of the GAME ON! Science, Sports & Play experience, the installation represents a groundbreaking leap in water safety access—especially for youth who've never had a swim lesson.

Launched May 15 and powered by the LA84 Foundation and Dodgers Foundation, the virtual swim experience is led by Paralympic medalist and Swim Up Hill Founder, Jamal Hill. Visitors are guided through foundational techniques like treading, streamlining, and sprint-style swimming—all in a fully immersive environment, with no pool required.

"For so many families, this exhibit is their very first swim lesson—and they're taking it with me. That's a dream come true," said Hill. "We're redefining access and proving that water safety starts with visibility and engagement."

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With up to two guests per session, the simulator has already introduced hundreds of children to swim education in its opening month. Over the next three years, it is projected to reach millions—many of whom come from communities where drowning risk is high and swim access is historically low.

"This is about sparking lifelong confidence," said a representative from the California Science Center. "We're proud to partner with Swim Up Hill to bring swimming into this space in such an innovative, empowering way."

By meeting families where they are—on museum floors instead of in the deep end—Swim Up Hill is reshaping the public imagination around water, equity, and opportunity. This installation is more than a tech demo—it's the next chapter of the Olympic legacy in motion. With backing from LA84 and the Dodgers Foundation, and as Los Angeles prepares to host the world for the LA28 Games, Swim Up Hill continues to expand what's possible for community-based aquatics. From schools to museums, Jamal Hill's vision of teaching one million people to swim annually by 2028 is taking real, scalable shape.

To contribute or learn more, visit www.swimuphill.org/social-impact. (https://www.swimuphill.org/social-impact)