WHO WE ARE

Waves4Change was born because brothers Maximus & Jay Cole felt a calling to share their love for swimming and its many amazing benefits.   Waves4Change was founded by kids for kids to inspire, support, and empower kids to overcome their limitations so they too can experience the joy and Superhero magic of swimming.  Not only is swimming FUN, Swimming SAVES LIVES!

Swim Teams: RMSC National Training Group (NTG) & Winston Churchill HS Swim & Dive Team

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!

Edward Maximus Devinney
(“Maximus”)

Individual Medley (IM) and Breast Stroke

High Hopes by Panic! At the Disco

Michael Jordan and Michael Phelps

Klaus and Pele

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

IMG_9501

Swim Team: RMSC Select Junior Team

Jay Cole
Founder & CTO

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 heros 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. 

 

Jay Cole Devinney

Backstroke and Individual Medley (IM)

Viva La Vida by Coldplay

Chopin’s Aeolian Harp

Michael Phelps

Captain America, Spider Man, and Ford vs. Ferrari

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

 

Why it Matters?

Splash into Kindness:
Empower kids with swim gear donations.

JOIN US and Dive into Action: Every share, Every Donation Counts!  Together, we can build an uplifting community where every stroke breaks down barriers and empower kids to be the Best they can be.