About Headwater Athletics

Headwater Athletics is a Boulder-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to connecting kids with ADHD, learning differences, and anxiety to the transformative power of sports — starting with swimming this fall, with plans to expand into additional sports in the future.

Every Headwater program is built on four core pillars: cognitive growth through movement, heart-led coaching, grit and resilience, and positive community and confidence. We are intentional about creating an atmosphere that is warm, joyful, and conducive to real friendship — a place where kids who have often felt different finally feel like they belong. We keep our after-school program at a 10:1 student-to-coach ratio, ensuring each child receives focused attention and encouragement specific to their needs and abilities. Our morning session may grow beyond this ratio as the program develops.

Our model is grounded in Dr. John Ratey's research showing that aerobic movement measurably improves attention and academic performance — with an especially strong effect for kids with ADHD. We are not a competitive swim team. We are a development program designed to help kids focus better, regulate more easily, and show up more confident — in the water and in life.

Headwater Athletics — Building Focus, Strong Bodies, and Kind Hearts.