Black History Month: Why do so few people from the black and Asian communities swim? | News

Aquaphobia explores why many people in the UK’s black and Asian communities do not swim; Alice Dearing presents a documentary looking at the myths, the barriers, swimming as a life-saving skill, the pioneers of elite swimming, the next generation; and whether other aquatics can inspire change

The documentary Aquaphobia explores inequalities in the water and why so few people from the black and Asian communities swim. It explores myths and stereotypes, swimming as a life-saving skill, interviews pioneers and looks at the next generation to see if there will be more diversity in elite swimming.

The four-part series is presented by Alice Dearing, who in 2021 became the first black British swimmer to compete in the Olympics. As a co-founder of Black Swimming AssociationDearing travels the country to listen to different experiences firsthand.

Sport England statistics show that 95 per cent of black adults do not swim and 80 per cent of black children do not. For Asian communities, it is 93 percent and 78 percent, respectively. Why do so few people choose to swim?

Sneaker Alice Dearing is the first black swimmer to qualify and compete for Team Great Britain at the Olympics

Dearing examines the myths and stereotypes surrounding diversity in swimming and aquatics. The documentary explores the barriers and real lives of a range of people from researchers, athletes, coaches, volunteers and activists.

The impact of people not knowing how to swim also has tragic consequences worldwide. The World Health Organization says drowning is one of the leading causes of death worldwide among young people. What is being done to save lives by organizations and communities in 2022?

The lack of diversity in participation is also reflected in elite swimming. The documentary hears the experiences of several different swimming pioneers and meets the next generation of British athletes hoping to make history. He also looks at other water sports to see what progress has been made and how the future could be very different.

Episode one

Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Alice Dearing presents the first part of the documentary Aquaphobia, which examines the myths and stereotypes, the latest ground-breaking research and the barriers stopping black and Asian communities from swimming in the UK

The first part examines the history of diversity in swimming and Professor Mike Tipton from the University of Portsmouth explains the ground-breaking work being done to investigate the factors that influence someone’s ability to swim, including bone density.

The connection to water for black communities is explored, and Dearing examines history to see if this can be a factor in explaining swimming inequalities. Explorer Dr. Tiffany Quash from Washington DC talks about how black women interact with water and how it raises awareness across the United States.

A hairdresser Suzette Pires explains why the use of chlorine in swimming pools is a barrier for many black people Daniel Aubepresident of the Black Swimming Association, explains what the organization is trying to achieve and how it can create lasting change.

And a former Jamaican-British swimmer Michael Gunning reveals his personal journey from childhood to elite swimming to see if there are familiar themes that stop people like him from swimming.

Second episode

Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Dearing presents the second part of the documentary Aquaphobia, which looks at ethnically diverse communities’ relationship with water, with visits to the RNLI, RLSS and a London swimming school aiming to break down barriers

Part two examines swimming as a life-saving skill and hears the story of Jennifer Holmes whose 13-year-old son Genesis Holmes drowned in the summer of 2014.

Dearing traveled to Newhaven in Sussex to meet the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to learn about their work saving lives in water and to get safety advice for anyone in danger in water. We also see the work being done in communities by The Royal Life Saving Society who want to save lives as volunteers Bhavik Barochiya explains how they help people in, on or around water.

Abena Gray is one of the few ethnically diverse people who owns a swimming school. Working with children and with over a decade of experience empowering children and adults, she is uniquely positioned to analyze aquaphobia. Episode 2 also hears parents explain why they brought their children to swimming lessons and how it was different for their generation.

Episode three

Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Part three of Aquaphobia talks to the pioneers of swimming in the UK and US and looks at the experiences of the next generation of elite divers training in Manchester

Kevin Burns made history at the Montreal Olympics in 1976 when he became the first black British swimmer to compete in the Olympics. In an exclusive interview, he recalls how an incident helped him start swimming and make history. He explains why every child should be taught to swim.

Cullen Jones is a two-time Olympic champion from the United States, whose first gold medal was with Michael Phelps in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. He recalls his rise to elite swimming and the role his parents played growing up.

At Manchester Aquatics Center we hear from you Jessica Calderbank and Reuben Rowbotham-Keating who aspire to be the next generation of black elite swimmers to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

And with swimming thrust into the spotlight recently, we speak to the co-founders of Soul cap who design hats specifically for afro hair. Fina, the governing body for aquatics, reversed its decision last month, meaning the restrictions are now allowed in elite-level competitions. Will this be the start of making swimming more inclusive and equal for all?

Fourth episode

The latest part of the documentary will be available on Sky Sports’ digital platforms from Tuesday and looks at other aquatics outside of swimming to see what progress has been made and whether anything could change in the near future.

It features interviews with a British Paralympic sailor Alexandra Rickham and Kieran Langridge from London Youth Rowing, who explains how his organization has brought sport to a variety of young children, despite its reputation as a small elite group. And we meet Adya Misra which set out to make water more accessible to people in South Asian communities. What is the effect of such initiatives?

Watch the first three parts of Aquaphobia presented by Alice Dearing by playing the videos in this story above.