by Elizabeth Spencer Rosenthal
On Sunday, August 17, from 9 a.m. – 12 noon, the Swim4Nick Foundation will host its 8th Annual FREE Swim Stroke Clinic, at the Plantation Aquatic Complex in Plantation, Florida.
But this is no ordinary swim clinic. It is an extraordinary tribute to Nicholas Dworet, a beloved son, brother, boyfriend, teammate and friend, who passed away on February 14, 2018, in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. He was just 17 years old, a month shy of his 18th birthday.
In high school, Nick was a dedicated student, athlete and swim team captain, who had been awarded a swimming scholarship to the University of Indianapolis. He had dreams of competing in the Olympics for his home country of Sweden. And he was so much more to those who had the privilege to know and love him.
“Nick was a remarkable young man—kind, loving, and always wearing a bright smile,” his father, Mitch Dworet, said. “He had a carefree spirit and a knack for spreading joy.”
To help keep Nick’s beautiful memory alive, the Nicholas Dworet Memorial Fund/Swim4Nick Foundation, was established in 2018 to help kids become better swimmers, and to give back to the community that gave Nick his passion for the sport.
“Swimming was a huge part of Nick’s life since he was seven years old, and made him who he was,” said Joseph Chiarella, treasurer of the Nicholas Dworet Memorial Fund. “Nick really was a nice kid with a great personality, and everyone liked him. If you ask the people he swam with, they would say he was a selfless teammate. He was very mature for his age and people looked up to him.”
“However, during his freshman year of high school, Nick faced some challenges,” his father explained. “He temporarily stepped away from swimming, a sport he loved, and his grades began to slip. This difficult period lasted nearly a year, but Nick’s story didn’t end there. With determination and resilience, Nick made a powerful turnaround. He returned to swimming with a renewed passion, dedicating himself to the sport and excelling as an athlete. His academic performance also transformed, as he became an outstanding student. Nick’s journey is a testament to the power of change and perseverance.”
According to Mr. Chiarella, “When Nick started dating his girlfriend, Daria, she helped him see things in himself that brought out the best in him. He accomplished a lot in his short life, and we try to use his story to inspire others.”
Guided by that inspiration, this annual stroke clinic has become immensely popular, helping local kids get ready for the upcoming swim season, while bringing the community together to remember and celebrate Nick. The totally free event is open to all competitive club and high school swimmers, and has volunteer coaching, provided by college, high school and club coaches.
“Nick loved to swim,” said Mr. Dworet. “He was at a point in his life where dedication and discipline were so important to helping him improve his technique. And the best way we can pay it forward is by offering this swim clinic to the community. If a swimmer can take away even one thing that they can use to improve their performance, then that is a great result.”
Since the first clinic was held, more than 800 kids have attended, and many have come back for multiple years. When the swimmers arrive, they receive door prizes, which, over the years, have included towels, wireless speakers, water bottles and other items. Many are in Nick’s favorite color, blue. At the end of the session, everyone enjoys raffle prizes and a pizza party full of treats.
“The event is special because it’s all about the kids. We love seeing the joy on their faces, and telling them a little about Nick at every event,” Mr. Chiarella said.
“When everyone gets in the pool, the love of swimming shines through,” Mr. Dworet added. “It’s especially gratifying watching everyone — seeing the smiles and the laughter, all while they are learning the finer aspects of swimming.” But at the same time, that is the hardest part. “Seeing everyone having such a great time also makes us miss Nick and his physical presence. He was so fun and so humble, yet a great competitor who really was inclusive of everyone around the pool deck.”
Transcending all of the emotions, the gratitude also shines through. “We are so grateful for the support we have received, and continue to receive in Nick’s memory,” Mr. Dworet said. “We try to pay this forward through the Swim4Nick Foundation, which has grown organically as folks learn about Nick and how he lived his life.”
Mr. Chiarella elaborated, “We have used the pool at Plantation Aquatic Center for the the past several years, where Nick swam countless events during his ten years as a competitive swimmer. The pizza is donated by Pasquale’s, Nick’s favorite local pizzeria, which has supported the event since day one. Also, we couldn’t do it without the help of Nick’s coaches, Andre Bailey from TS Aquatics, and Jason Hite, form coach at the University of Indianapolis.”
Under the guidance of its volunteer board of directors, the Foundation’s impact extends well beyond this annual event. In addition to free swim clinics, The Nicholas Dworet Memorial Fund has generously given away more than $50,000 in college scholarships for deserving local swimmers, along with grants and financial assistance for swimming lessons. They started out offering an annual college scholarship for swimmers at Nick’s high school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High. They have since expanded, offering a general scholarship open to Florida swimmers, and a scholarship for high school seniors from Nick’s swim club, TS Aquatics.
“The number of kids we’ve helped with clinics and scholarships is how we measure our success,” said Mr. Chiarella. “We love the sport of swimming, and how it is both a team and individual sport. We will always feel a connection to swimmers, and have tried to use our platform to help as many kids as possible, and to keep Nick’s memory alive.”
Mr. Dworet reflected, “Swimming can do so much for so many people, and in so many ways. We hope Nick’s story inspires other kids to believe they can overcome setbacks and make positive changes, even when they veer off course. For parents, Nick’s experience is a reminder to stay supportive and never give up on their children, even when they make mistakes.
“Nick really was an ordinary guy who did some extraordinary things in a very humble way. We hope people who learn about Nick through Swim4Nick will see him not as a victim of gun violence, but as a person who succeeded in life.”
EVENT DETAILS:
2025 Swim4Nick FREE Swim Stroke Clinic
August 17, 2025
9 a.m.- 12 noon
Plantation Aquatic Complex
Plantation, Florida
This is a stroke clinic, not swimming lessons, so the swimmers need to know the basics of the four strokes. All skill levels are welcome!
The event can accommodate 120 swimmers, and spaces are currently available. Registration is required, as well as parental approval for swimmers under age 18.
Register: https://www.jotform.com/form/211783661298162
ABOUT THE NICHOLAS DWORET/SWIM4NICK FOUNDATION:
Visit our website: https://swim4nick.org/
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
If you are inspired by the Swim4Nick Foundation, there are many ways to help make its mission a reality. Financial donations as well as give-away items are always welcome.
Join: Join the Foundation’s email list to stay informed about Swim4Nick events
https://nicholasdworetfund.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=58e72ba720dcc94bafb4950e8&id=ae44124ac3
“We are a certified 501c(3) non profit charity organization focused on helping make the world around us a better, happier place. We would be excited to have you join the Swim4Nick Team.”
