Founded by Kids, For Kids, Supporting Kids.
Our MISSION is to Inspire, Support and Empower Kids to Swim by making swimming more accessible. We are collecting swim gear donations and building an inclusive and diverse community so every kid has the opportunity and access to the amazing benefits of swimming.
Waves4Change was born because brothers Maximus & Jay Cole felt a calling to share their love for swimming and its many amazing benefits with more kids. Waves4Change was founded by kids for kids to inspire, support, and empower kids to overcome limitations so they too can experience the joy and Superhero magic of swimming. Not only is swimming FUN, Swimming SAVES LIVES!
Inspire. Support. Empower. Impact.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” -Gandhi
We are on a mission to make swimming epic for EVERY Kid!
Goal 1: Collect swim gear Donations for kids who need it because swim gear can be crazy expensive.
Goal 2: Swimming is a TEAM Sport. We want to create an uplifting and diverse community of young swimmers where everyone can access knowledge and gear, and feel empowered to be the best they can be.
JOIN OUR MOVEMENT and make some WAVES of CHANGE by providing access to swimming and bridging racial divides. Donate gear, empower dreams – together, let’s ensure every kid can experience the joy and benefits of swimming firsthand!
WHO WE ARE
My SwimCloud My YouTube Channel
Swim Team: RMSC National Training Group (NTG), WCHS Swim & Dive
Favorite Events: Individual Medley(IM) and Breaststroke
Favorite Race Day Song: High Hopes by Panic! At the Disco
Favorite Chill Music: Liebestraum No. 3 by Franz Liszt
Favorite Athletes: Michael Phelps and Michael Jordan
Favorite Movies: Pele and Klaus
Favorite Artist: Monet
Favorite Book: Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
Hi, my name is Edward Maximus, my friends call me Maximus, and I am a student at Winston Churchill High School. I was first introduced to the pool at the age of two and I began competitive swimming at the age of six. Ever since, I have grown to believe there is greatness inside all of us. Sometimes we just need a little help to bring it out. I see the amazing impact swimming has had on my life both in and out of the pool.
In particular, I remember the time when my teammate and friend lent me his tech suit before a race a couple of years ago. I was not feeling and swimming my best that day and I was struggling with self-doubt and fear, as I had just returned to the pool after having been away for nearly two years during Covid. Before my race, he noticed I didn’t have a tech suit, which is a piece of expensive high-tech gear that I had never worn before. Without hesitation, he handed me his own tech suit. The act of putting on that unfamiliar suit transformed me; I felt like Superman gearing up for battle. I swam my personal best, shaving off three seconds. That race was the turning point for me, teaching me that courage is about showing up being your best even when it seems hopeless. We all need a helping hand to unlock the greatness within us.
I am still grateful to my friend for believing in me even before I believed in myself. Inspired by his act of kindness, I decided to pay it forward and start Waves4Change with my brother as a way of honoring all those who guided me over the years. Waves4Change is a mission to inspire, support, and empower as many young swimmers as possible. Let’s create a wave of positivity, helping kids become their best selves and overcome their limitations. Together, I truly believe that we can achieve amazing and great things!
Swim Team: RMSC Junior Select, Country Glen swim & Dive
Favorite Swim Events: Backstroke and Individual Medley(IM)
Favorite Race Day Song: Viva La Vida by Coldplay
Favorite Chill Music: Chopin’s Aeolian Harp
Favorite Movies: Captain America and Ford v. Ferrari
Favorite Book: Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Hi, I am Jay Cole. I am a student at Herbert Hoover Middle School. I fell in love with swimming when I was five and never looked back. To me, swimming is a way to transform and build your strength physically and mentally. I am also a big fan of all superhero movies. My favorites are Captain America and Spider Man – both were born without any special powers. Both heroes had kindness inside of them, and when they were transformed into superhero strengths, their kindness also grew. In fact, in many cases, the difference between a supervillain and a superhero is their kindness and desire to help others.
When I see kids being held back from being their best because of limited access to knowledge and swim gear, I want to find a way to help. In the past, I’ve found small ways to help by loaning and giving away tech suits and all kinds of gear but every time I helped someone, I always found someone else that needed even more support. I started Waves4Change with my brother so kids can help kids. I believe kindness lives in all of us. If we make kindness a superpower, then we can become superheroes ourselves and inspire, support and empower so many more kids to experience the wonderful and transformative benefits of swimming.
“We’re so proud to have partnered with such an amazing organization. Meet the founders of @waves4change.official Maximus and Jay. They are both really great swimmers and also passionate about swim lessons being accessible to everyone! Their organization is a movement created by kids, for kids, aimed at inspiring, supporting, and empowering kids to overcome their limitations and experience the joy and superhero magic of swimming. Can you believe they connected with us just by sending a simple DM? They started doing outreach before they left their home time of Maryland and made time to meet with us in between their swim competition for the #ncsa here in Orlando. This past weekend they decided to do a fundraiser and received donations & swim gear to support Alma Swim Foundation. We’re so thankful for our connection and happy our missions align so effortlessly. We can’t wait to use the items at April POOLS Day next weekend! We are so grateful for your support!” –Alma Swim Foundation
Why You Need to Help
Swim gear donations contribute to building confidence in those who may not have had the means to participate before. Your generosity and support opens doors to new experiences and self-discovery. They can save lives and empower dreams.
Empower
Empower kids by giving Kids swim gears to access the transformative benefits of swimming.
Inclusive
Foster inclusivity by breaking barriers, ensuring that everyone can participate in water activities.
Health
Not only is swimming super fun, it can also be good for your health and fitness.
Community
Strengthen community ties by creating a shared space where kids of all backgrounds come together to enjoy.
Opportunity
Open doors to new opportunities for personal growth and strength development (physical and mental) through the joy of swimming.
Joy
Spread joy of swimming by gifting the simple pleasure to those who may not have had the chance to experience it.
Support our mission by donating new or gently used swim gear to make a valuable contribution.
Lend your time, skills and positive energy —join us in creating a welcoming and inclusive community.
Engage in our programs, unlock swimming’s benefits, and join a vibrant community.