Who We Are
Recent figures released by Sport England shows that 95% of black adults and 80% of black children in England do not
swim. Additional research also suggests that the risk of drowning is higher among ethnic minority communities and 1 in 4 children in the UK leave primary school (where swimming is a compulsory part of the national curriculum) still unable to swim. As you read this now, there's a high possibility you may know at least five people who CANNOT SWIM. 1 of these 5 people you know, could even be YOU!
The Black Swimming Association (BSA) is a non-profit organisation set up to:
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Highlight the importance of learning to swim as an essential and invaluable life-saving skill
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Educate the black community on water safety, life-saving and drowning prevention measures
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Collaborate with other swimming charities and national governing bodies to ensure everyone - parents, children, YOU and your loved ones get the opportunity to learn to swim. Swimming can save lives.
We know that our strength lies in working together to understand, overcome and break significant age-long barriers to swimming within the BME community. Only in collaborative partnership can we drive participation, engagement and inclusion for BMEs in aquatics. That is ultimately why we decided to launch the Black Swimming Association.
It's Time To Change The Narrative
Our Mission
A Voice. A Trusted Partner. An Advocate.
“Everything that is done in the world is done by hope”
Martin Luther
Education
Partnering with national swimming bodies and charities, the BSA plans to run campaigns and swim clinics in local communities with the aim to help save as many lives as possible by equipping the BME community with the relevant knowledge, skills and information on water safety. These campaigns will be introduced especially in primary schools in areas of the country with high Afro-Caribbean populations. The incentive would be to raise awareness of water safety awareness and drowning prevention, educate on life-saving in an emergency, and highlighting the importance of learning how to swim.
Advocacy
At the Black Swimming Association, we are dedicated to stepping up our efforts in understanding and addressing various stereotypes and significant issues around BMEs and swimming, as well as the community's low level of water safety awareness and drowning prevention measures. Advocacy is by no means an easy feat, but through cooperation and community empowerment, we believe we can facilitate progress in this area. We are always striving to make a difference, and we'd love to have you on board.
Support
One of the key objectives of the BSA is to promote opportunities to make swimming more accessible. We are aware that many BME adults need just as much support in learning how to swim as their children do. One of the main things we want to do at the BSA is to tackle aquaphobia and get adults to take that first step into the water as part of our swim clinics. With access to the right resources, we believe BMEs can become empowered by their own abilities and gain the confidence to take on swimming as an essential life skill. Learn more about our work by getting in touch and getting involved today.
