Aquatics for All: Suzanne's Fundraiser for RVA's Youth

"Together we can hand down a future of hope, safety and opportunity through aquatics!"

This fundraiser is the passion project of Suzanne McWilliams.

At 75 years of age, Suzanne qualified to compete in the 2025 World Triathlon Championships in Australia, representing team USA.

To celebrate her achievement, Suzanne is launching this fundraiser to support SwimRVA's work to uplift the Richmond region through aquatic access. Suzanne credits SwimRVA with introducing her to triathlon and bringing joy to her life. She aims to raise $10,000 to fund swim instruction for Richmond's youth, so that they may also have the opportunity to find joy in swimming and multisport fitness.

All proceeds from this fundraiser will directly fund SwimRVA's Learn-to-Swim programming for underserved youth in Richmond, Virginia's East End elementary schools: Henry Marsh Elementary, Chimborazo Elementary, Fairfield Court Elementary, Woodville Elementary, and Bellevue Elementary.

About SwimRVA

SwimRVA is the non-profit community hub for aquatics in the Richmond region. More than just a pool, SwimRVA serves as a catalyst for water safety, health and fitness, sports tourism, competitive aquatics, and possibility, for all Richmonders.

It’s critical for the aquatic future of the Richmond region to be inclusive, as half of the U.S. population to not know how to swim.

SwimRVA's Drownproof Richmond initiative, makes swim lessons available to under-served youth, with the goal of giving every second grader in the region an opportunity to learn how to swim (in collaboration with YMCA of Greater Richmond and Nova Swimming). SwimRVA provides the entire second grade of each school a 45-minute lesson once per week for seven weeks.

Now in their thirteenth year, Drownproof Richmond's Learn-to-Swim lessons have built critical skills and confidence in over 15,000 area children, and counting.

Learn more about the Learn-to-Swim Program at swimrichmond.org.

Suzanne's Background

Suzanne's story is one of life-long perseverance, and dedication to her community.

Born in Richmond in 1949, Suzanne grew up in a troubled household in Richmond's Southside, in the midst of Virginia's Jim Crow era. Her family did not have the funds to purchase a membership at a neighborhood pool, but her father worked in hospital administration at the VA hospital. Access to the VA hospital pool allowed Suzanne to learn to swim. Years later, she completed lifeguard training and worked as a swim instructor at the VA pool.

In school, Suzanne struggled to find her calling and often struggled with her grades as well. After graduating from George Wythe high school, she attended VCU (then called Richmond Professional Institute). There she enjoyed playing many sports and studying fitness, and graduated with a degree in Physical Education.

Following graduation, Suzanne felt called to become a teacher and taught in Richmond Public Schools, starting with Nathaniel Bacon Middle school during integration in the 1970s. Suzanne taught for 30 years at several of Richmond's public schools, including all five of the East End elementary schools served by SwimRVA's Learn-to-Swim Program.

She served on the Elementary Program of Arts and Humanities for 20 years, later teaching at her alma mater George Wythe for 10 years. Throughout her teaching career she worked to create opportunities for her inner-city students to explore extra-curricular interests. After retirement, Suzanne placed her energy in teaching community fitness classes at the YMCA.

When SwimRVA opened in 2012, Suzanne was encouraged by friends to lifeguard and teach at their new aquatic center. When the non-profit hosted a triathlon, Suzanne was inspired to enter her first multisport event at 65 years of age. She also met her current husband Julius at SwimRVA, where they both trained for triathlon.

Over the next 10 years, swimming and multisport brought joy to her life. She credits this joy to SwimRVA.

Suzanne's Journey to the 2025 World Triathlon Championship Finals in Wollongong, Australia is a story of inspirational life-long fitness. But it is also a story of hope, in that she strives for a positive future for Richmond's youth:

"Fitness is for Everybody, you don't have to be a star athlete to enjoy moving your body. Physical activity can inspire happiness and longevity in all people. I envision a future in which all of Richmond's residents have the opportunity to learn how to swim, so that water fitness can be an opportunity for their own life-long wellness. Learning how to swim and becoming comfortable in the water is the first step towards this possibility."

Proceeds from this fundraiser will directly support SwimRVA's Learn-to-Swim programming at Richmond's five East End elementary schools: