Pursuing Racial Diversity, Equity and Equality in Aquatics, in Support of the Ongoing Black Lives Matter (BLM) Movement

The ability to swim is a luxury that can only be taught with access to a pool and careful instruction. Consequently, swimming in the United States, especially as a sport, has disproportionately excluded black people as well as lower socio-economic classes. The statistics are alarming: nearly 60 percent of African-American children do not know how to swim. Furthermore, minorities drown at a rate three times higher than their peers. Making Waves aims to bridge the swim gap by supporting the push for more pool access and swim clinics in low income areas. Participants from across the country are encouraged to donate to local organizations that offer swim and water safety lessons in communities that need it the most. As a team and as individuals, we have benefited from access to pools at an early age. Our goal is to create opportunities for all youth to do the same.