Can African Americans Swim Well Enough to Save Themselves?

Culturally speaking, most African American men and women do not swim well enough to save themselves, and for those who can swim, most do not participate in organized water sport activities. Why is this? Can the culture of non-swimmers be reversed? How?

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Permalink Reply by Michele on January 29, 2009 at 11:03pm

Personally speaking, I take the responsibility to encourage the parents of African American children and themselves to learn to swim. I state the statistics and then encourage by explaining that swimming is a life skill, just like english and math. I say further, "you just don't know, it may win a scholarship, lead to a marine biologist, build character by learining to work with and be a part of a team, forge lifelong friendships through competition, other aquatic interests and opportunities; both profitable and spiritually satisfying. Last but not least Mr. President swims." I did email him about this same subject. I have offered and encourage to spend the money for swim lessons to 2 children that are not related to me.

I take the personal responsibility.

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Permalink Reply by Darrick Linton on March 12, 2009 at 7:53am

Errol,
You ask some very thought provoking questions that need to be addressed. I love the answer Michele gave, and we need more people like Michele doing what she does with passion, and taking personal responsibilty for what she does. I so desire to emulate people like both you, Michele, and countless others, who do what they do to encourage swimming, particularly to African American Children. I do believe the culture of non-swimmers are being reversed when I see people like Wanda Butts and the Josh Project, promoting swimming to those who would not be able to afford lessons throughout the Toledo area, and John Cruzat, who is a phenominal representative of USA Swimming, promoting swimming through out the country Errol, I so desire to join those who make a difference in the lives of not only African American Children, but ALL Children for reasons that Michele stated, but more importantly, to save lives.d Here in my rural town, swimming is almost unheard of African Americans. I am triying to get a pool developed here, so I can join those who believe in the motto of: "EACH ONE, REACH ONE, TEACH ONE" The number of drownings would decrease tremendously, if all who can swim, take this motto and apply it. Generational cureses would be broken as it pertains to the water. I applaud your efforts and pray that you continue doing what you do. God Bless You. Darrick aka dswimmerman

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Permalink Reply by ERROL DUPLESSIS on March 12, 2009 at 11:38am

Thank you, Darrick, for the very kind words. Swimming has been a passion with me for all of my life. I cannot remember a day in my life when I was NEVER a swimmer, but I do remember my genesis, my very humble beginnings. But that is a story for another day. I taught swimming (all levels) at Hampton University for 21 glorious years. But I especially enjoyed teaching the non-swimmers the basics of swimming. I discouraged swimmers from taking my beginner class - they were directed to the intermediate or advanced or scuba classes. I sometimes conducted forums during class about the students' experience in swimming. Many were told by a parent or loved one, in growing up, to stay away from the water because you will drown. Some students took swimming lessons at HU in absentia of their parents knowledge, afraid they would be told, "No, I pay the bill, not you, no swimming!" My classes were full, sometimes 25 or 30 students per class (the cut-off was 20), one lifeguard and one teacher, me. The beginner class was popular, and the students enjoyed it. My success ratio for non-swimmers well exceeded the 90% threshhold, and it sometimes reached 100%. I invented a basic stroke called the wing-it stroke. Actually, I named an already existing swimming movement and modified it into a storke for breathing, and named it the wing-it stroke. It worked, and the word got out after years of success, so that all the non-swimmers (who wanted to swim) wanted to wing-it! I have noted that some of my former lifeguards and scuba divers from HU are members of DAP. I am trying to get them to say some words. Maybe I will create some discretionary time and get back in the swimming pool as a volunteer swim teacher here in Hamapton. God knows that people do need to learn this skill, and I do have some fire left in this old body of mine. But I agree with you, we need to do more by teaching our youth that swimming is FUN, not dangerous, and if you are good at it, you can become a lifeguard and earn money during the summer months and weekends while in school, or perhaps earn a scholarship at a college to get a degree. Take care.

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Permalink Reply by Darrick Linton on March 16, 2009 at 2:19am

Hi Errol,
I had an opportunity to attend Hampton Univ. back in the late 70's on a full swimming scholarship, and I blew it!!!! This is one of my life's greatest regrets, in that I could have saved my parents $$$$$, but instead, I opted not to take the scholarship due to such a low SAT/ACT score, and I wanted to go into a field that I started off behind my peers. I was counseled to either choose another field and take the scholarship, or skip swimming, because I would need lots of tutorial in order to catch up with my peers, who had accounting and bookkeeping in high school. What a terrible mistake I made based upon the advice I was given. My older brother swam for Tennessee State University around the same time frame. If I could do it over again, I would probally still be residing and working in the beautiful State of Virginia. However, this has done nothing to discourage my love for the water and like yourself, teaching. Hope all is well with you and I will keep up more with DAP. Hope you can convince your former lifeguards and scuba students to join us and share their experiences. Take Care and God Bless You Errol. Darrick

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Permalink Reply by ERROL DUPLESSIS on March 25, 2009 at 8:19pm

Hi Darrick,
So sorry it has taken so long to get back to you. You were a very good competitive swimmer to receive a scholarship to swim for HU, so I congratulate you on your watermanship. Was Coach Hughley the swim coach at that time? And you must know Janine Antoine; she was one of the last scholarship swimmers at HU. Coach Sid Moore was semi-retired at that time. I had a partial for two years at Southern University, my alma mater. We swam Tennesse State twice during my swimming days, and they beat us both times. We came close the last time out, we were leading the meet by 2 or 3 points down to the last relay, which was won by TSU. So sad, it was a great meet. Thurman Robins was our star swimmer. He was a great breaststroker and IM'er, nobody could beat him in those events. Thanks for taking me down memory lane. And best to you, Darrick, talk to you soon.

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Brehob on January 16, 2011 at 10:54am

Errol: I was fascinated by your swimming history. Yes, let's go to the pool and get yourself back in the water, and when you do:

Could you please post a video of YOURSELF Winging-It? So we can see that and add to our bag of tricks teaching everyone to swim?

Another fascinating, utilitarian stroke is the so-called combat sidestroke because it's a survival stroke and it's the one the SEALS use and it's a great way to teach sculling, you can do it with your face out and you can really talk about reducing swimmers' drag in the water. Slice and glide. I try to have some different things to do when people are getting bored and need something else to focus on, and with the ones who can make it two lengths or so, this could be a good one to try.

Happy Martin Luther King Day tomorrow, everyone!

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Permalink Reply by Jennifer Brehob on January 16, 2011 at 11:00am

Before I start quoting: who gets the credit for "EACH ONE, REACH ONE, TEACH ONE" ?

I so agree. I had so much fun teaching my Adult Beginner class yesterday at the Lynn YMCA in Lynn, MA!

One brave lady told me, after she started kicking over the shallow end with a kickboard, "I nearly drowned 4 times and I am afraid," but she put all her stress into determination, relaxed her body and floated and glided and kicked up and down that pool. She is going to succeed!

To start the class, I just took her hand and we walked doing circle swim in the shallow end and talked about how scary it is, and how deep the water gets, and how to use her free hand to scull and pull herself through the water. All it takes is the time and the caring for EACH ONE REACH ONE TEACH ONE to be true.

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Permalink Reply by Angela Gray on January 24, 2010 at 12:52am

I wonder if the question is not can this culture be reversed, but rather will this culture be reversed? My personal experience with former swim kids points to the idea that sometimes swim training can be so tough on the child (or her hair) that they don't want to swim when they're older.

What can we do about that?

http://imswimming.net/2010/01/23/will-we-turn-around-a-culture-of-n...

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Permalink Reply by ERROL DUPLESSIS on January 25, 2010 at 11:47am

Hi Angela. Hair will always be an issue with most girls, women and the mothers who take care of their daughter's hair (all cultures). It is more of a problem with Black children and parents, especially if the hair is long. My advice is to cut the hair short, it is easier to care when shorter. But do not take my word for it. There are excellent role models to choose from for advice on black hair, to include Maritza Correia, and the daughter of Dr. Thurman Robins, who was a swim champion for the U of Texas (forgot her name); both were NCAA swim champions, and Maritza is a world class swimmer. I will get the word out to them for their advice. The choice is really priority: what is more important, learning to swim, or profiling to look cute? This is what it comes down to, nothing more, nothing less. You learn to deal with what is real when you choose. Black parents do need an attitude adjustment about water, and hair is just a drop in the bucket of the bigger problem. I have a story to tell you, a true story. If you read my bio, you will know that I was on the faculty at Hampton University for 21 glorious years. Well, one of my contributions to university service was to assist with the Honors Program. We did cultural activities, to include swimming. At the end of the second semester of their senior year, the honor students were required to do a project to maintain hornors status, and to present it at a forum for entertainment and discussion. Well, one young lady talked about how to maintain beauty (and she was very attractive). She stated in her remarks that her father told her a woman's beauty is in her hair, and she wanted beautiful hair, so she stayed out of the water. My head lifeguard also did a presentation, and oddly enough, it was on black hair. She challenged her peer, and said that hair should never be a reason to not learn something of value (what an answer, I was proud of her). I believe they each learned something of value from the other. My head lifeguard offered to teach her how to swim, and how to take care of her hair from a chlorinated swimming pool. I will contact Maritza (somehow) and Dr. Robins regarding their opinion on taking care of hair. It is a challenge, not an obstacle to learning to swim or participating in competitive swimming. The second part of your question implies that swim kids (girls) don't want to swim when they are older because of hair. Maybe, and maybe not. I suspect the REAL reason is that most girls discover boys sooner than boys discover girls. If this is the case, not to worry. They learned something of value, and they learned well. I have two children (they are now young adults with families and children of their own). They were told by age 8 by my wife and I that they had to swim on a swim team for two years. I coached the swim team, in Wellesley, MA. For all they knew, all children had to be on a swim team by a certain age. When our daughter turned 13, she did not want to swim anymore, and she was the top backstroker on her swim team. Our daughter kept her hair short. Our son, not so talented at an early age, stuck with it, and became an excellent compeititor in high school; he made finals in all of his freestyle district swimming events. Our daughter discovered boys. What to do? How about an attitude change, and then put your child on a swim team for two years. No "buts"!!! Hope this helps, take care.

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Permalink Reply by Angela Gray on January 25, 2010 at 9:19pm

This was very helpful, Erroll. Thank you!

I agree that swimming is a greater priority than hair. I stopped wearing a perm because of swimming, and I have never permed my children's hair, partly because of swimming. Swimming is my passion, not their's and I'm trying to let them off the hook. It's killing me, though, because I think that swimming has so much to offer.

My oldest two children swam competitively for 5 years; I guess that's pretty decent. I have four younger children that have yet to get the skills to swim competitively, but I hope to get them on that road this summer. (Winter swim meets in Michigan are a special kind of torture). I'll let you know how it turns out.

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Permalink Reply by ERROL DUPLESSIS on January 25, 2010 at 9:52pm

One day you will have to let them off the hook. Angela, you did your job (parental values) suerbly! You are light years ahead of the bell curve and 99.9% of most African-American families (are you a single parent?) when it comes to swimming. One day more Cullen Jones' and Maritza Correia's will come along and pick up the slack. Competitive swimming is important, but it is not the essence of swimming. You cannot want this for your child without their participation. You are a jewel, keep the flame burning, and your passion will be seen by others. I see it, yes I do. Stay tough, and keep it real. Best to you.

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Permalink Reply by Angela Gray on January 26, 2010 at 9:11am

Thank you so much Errol, and no, I am not a single parent. I was fine with the children bumbling along in swim lessons for years without really learning how to swim. It was my husband who knew that they would only learn to swim if they got into competitive swimming. It was after they got in there that I saw what the sport had to offer and I wanted them to continue in it.

So my husband is the visionary; I'm the cheerleader.