Swim Lessons for Black Teens

Many Black teens today may not know how to swim due to a legacy of historical exclusion and systemic barriers. For much of the 20th century, Black Americans were denied access to public swimming pools through segregation laws, racist policies, and violence that kept them out of recreational spaces. Even after desegregation, many pools in Black communities were closed, underfunded, or simply never built, and families often lived far from beaches or safe bodies of water. This generational gap in access and opportunity has contributed to a lingering fear or unfamiliarity with swimming in some Black households, making it less likely for Black teens to learn this vital life skill.

The Sahan Journal reports that the drowning rate among Black teens is 5.5 times higher than that of their white peers. In 2021, The Journalist Resources reported that drowning deaths among Black individuals increased to 28% when compared to the two years before. Despite these numbers, the YMCA’s 2021 report revealed that 64% of Black children can’t swim.

When we discuss swimming lessons and water safety, we are not just talking about being in the water for summer fun—it’s about life and survival. So, why are so many Black teens not learning how to swim? Is it due to fear, lack of access, or even the historical circumstances?

Research shows that it isn’t a question of ability but rather systemic barriers, generational fears rooted in history, and legacy exclusion.

Swimming is more than just a skill—it’s a form of empowerment. It’s time to challenge the cycle and dismantle stereotypes by identifying how our community can support access, build confidence, and prioritize water safety for all Black youth.

The Need for Swimming Lessons

Swimming today is more of a recreational activity, but for Black teens, learning to swim could be the difference between life and death, because many of our youth die from drowning every year.

Learning to swim is about survival, but more than that, it’s about self-care. It’s about taking control of your confidence, freedom, and health. Swimming is a low-impact way to stay active all summer. When you swim, you:

Enhance muscle strength
Increase your endurance ability
Help your cardiovascular health
Manage your weight
Manage strength and anxiety

To reiterate, it is a documented historical fact that Black Americans were systemically denied access to many public pools due to segregation and racial discrimination. Even in the 2020s, history continues to repeat itself. NBC News reported that the police were called on the Muir family for using the Joseph C. Carter Park pool without committing any offense. Incidents like this perpetuate the fear of exclusion and are passed on to future generations. It is one of the reasons why many of our parents can’t swim.

Since most of our parents can’t swim, many teens would likely follow that path. This cycle will continue until you choose to break it this summer by taking that swim lesson.

Breaking the Cycle by Challenging the Stereotypes

There is a stereotype that people with black skin don’t make good swimmers. A report by the Guardian in 2022 noted that one of these racist stereotypes is that Black people have denser bones, making it difficult for us to float on water. Hence, many of our people have been made to believe that swimming is not meant for them.

These stereotypes are becoming believable because Black swimmers are hardly found in games like the Olympics, and even the few, such as Anthony Nesty, Cullen Jones, Simone Manuel, and Lia Neal, are scarcely available to mentor young Black teens in swimming, which has made a false stereotype a near truth.

It has reinforced exclusion, discouraged teens’ participation, and strengthened the fear that has disconnected many Black teens from the water. However, this cycle needs to be broken, and now is the time to do so.

We can change the narrative, one dive at a time. We can take up space in the waters that we were told we didn’t belong in, just like our forefathers once did before slavery.

What Our Community Can Do to Make a Difference

Here are some things we can do:

Improve living standards.

In another report by the Guardian in 2016, it was stated that access to a swimming pool and money to pay for swimming lessons are two of the major driving forces behind the racial divide we have in swimming in the United States.

According to Statista, 17.9% of Black people in the US were living below the poverty line in 2023, compared to 7.7% of White people. How can we expect many Black families to own a pool or afford swimming lessons for their teens?

Create access to swimming facilities.

Change must start with creating access. Community centers, schools, religious centers, and local organizations must prioritize swimming education for teens by investing financially in making pools available.

Motivate our teens

Encouragement from home is also essential, as it comes from parents, caregivers, mentors, and peers. Just as we encourage our teens to learn how to drive a car or bike, we should also do the same when it comes to swimming.

Swimming is more than just a set of skills; it’s a way to stay alive. In the U.S., swim lessons generally cost $15–$30 for group sessions, $40–$90 for private lessons, $25–$50 for semi-private classes, and $20–$35 for parent-and-child sessions, with monthly group rates typically ranging from $60 to $150 depending on frequency and location. To reduce the drowning rate, we must:

Have access to pools
Have swim lessons
Reduce prices for swim classes or create group classes as a cheaper alternative
Normalize swimming in our community
Have representation in swimming
Have mentors for the young teens

At Elevate Black Health, we believe that water safety is not an option, and every teen deserves the chance to explore the waters and enjoy swimming safely and confidently. This summer, let our teens reclaim the space that our forefathers were once denied.

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