“Reclaiming Confidence One Stroke at a Time: The Power of Swim Sessions”

Numerous individuals in Nottingham have participated in a program aimed at assisting black women in overcoming obstacles that prevent them from engaging in water-related activities.

Swim Sista Swim is a ten-week initiative organized by the Canal and River Trust, supported by funding from Sport England.

Since April, around 50 women have joined the program, which is designed to enhance their self-assurance in the water and improve their swimming abilities.

Carol Burrell, the trust’s community outreach officer, conceived the idea after observing the low participation of black women in free activities offered along its waterways.

Fola told the BBC that upon investigating the reasons behind the low participation of African and Caribbean women, she discovered it was due to “their inability to swim and a lack of confidence around water.”

The initiative aims to dispel stereotypes that might deter black women from swimming, including the notion that their bones are denser, making floating more challenging, which Ms Burrell refers to as “nonsense.”

Participants receive instruction on water safety as well as guidance on how to care for Afro hair when exposed to chlorine.

A psychotherapist also addresses the mental hurdles some women may encounter regarding water.

Among the participants is 59-year-old Jaunita Mayers, who cares for her mother and thought it would be a beneficial chance to relearn swimming as an alternative to gym exercise.

“I used to be able to swim, but after a holiday where I nearly drowned in the sea – I had forgotten how to swim,” she remarked.

“The ladies here are quite supportive. They gently encourage you, assist you in gaining confidence, and the instructors are fantastic; they possess a lot of patience.”

Fola Oluwaremi shared with the BBC that the women-only swimming sessions at the Portland Centre in The Meadows have made her feel more at ease as she enhances her swimming skills.

She stated: “It’s all women, and we are the only ones in the pool compared to public swimming, where I feel ‘oh, people are watching’.”

Another participant revealed to the BBC that she hoped learning to swim would boost her health and noted it has aided her in overcoming confidence issues.