Afro Aquatics - More Than Just Swimming

Afro Aquatics empower more of the Black (Asian, African & Caribbean) community to swim regularly, maintaining physical and mental well being, providing role models, along with support and advice for more members to compete, participate and work within aquatic careers. Afro Aquatics is a not-for-profit business based in Leicester.

''9 out of 10 ethnically diverse communities want to ensure their children learn how to swim – even though almost half are unable to swim themselves.

While 14% of adults in white communities cannot swim 25m unaided, this rises to 49% of ethnically diverse communities. Females of all ethnicities are less likely to be able to swim.

Ethnically diverse communities are under-represented across aquatics, with only 3.4% of diverse communities swimming regularly compared to 5.5% of white communities.''

(Swim England 2022)

Afro Aquatics Weekly Women's Swim Tuition at Winstanley School Pool, in Braunstone, Leicester, was launched in July 2022, is going from strength to strength, empowering more ladies to build confidence, stay fit and be safe in water.

They will be expanding this group to employ an additional teacher next term, and have an extra group swimming, offering more spaces.

Due to their success, demand has increased leading them to launch a weekly class for Adult Swim Tuition, starting at the end of March 2023, which is to be held every Friday at Leicester Grammar School pool.

Along with being a competitive swimmer for 10 years, Afro Aquatics founder Katrice Rodrigues is an experienced School Teacher, Swimming Teacher and Swim England Tutor, teaching the next generation of swim teachers.

Katrice recently featured in an ITV News article about the inequalities and barriers that Black and Asian women face around Swimming, which can be seen in the following link.

Katrice is due to feature in a Swim England campaign that will launch on the 6th March 2023, to encourage more swim teachers from ethnic backgrounds.

Afro Aquatics also educates members about hair care, what to wear, and have created a strong support network amongst members. They have a link with SwimScalf to be able to offer their members an exclusive discount to purchase swim hats that are suitable for people with long and big hair.

To find out more and read Katrice's and Afro Aquatics story at www.afroaquatics.com

(Source: Afro Aquatics)