Omie Dale’s memories of carefree childhood swimming stand in stark contrast to the exclusion faced by Black communities in swimming. For many, swimming remains an unattainable dream due to a history of racial discrimination, depriving them of life-saving skills.
Determined to shift this narrative, 25-year-old Dale became a swimming teacher in 2019. Witnessing the stark disparities between affluent private schools and state schools in London, she co-founded Swimunity. This collective provides free swimming lessons to women and children in North Kensington, offering an escape from trauma and the chance to embrace a vital life skill.
The urgency of this endeavor is underscored by statistics. A 2021 Sport England survey reveals that while 77% of children from affluent families can swim 25 meters unaided, only 34% from less privileged backgrounds can. Dale’s efforts, along with those of other Black women advocates, aim to reshape this narrative and turn the tide towards equality in swimming.
By- Sahiba Suri