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?

1 member likes this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by ERROL DUPLESSIS on March 8, 2010 at 10:29pm

Welcome to the discussion, Dudley. You will be surprised how much you can bring to the table with just a little effort. I recommend that you work with a master teacher of swimming to make sure that you are helping kids learn the basics correctly. We sometimes overlook the basics and want to get right into teaching the crawl stroke, and bypass essential skills like control of breathing, control of buoyancy, control of body position, basic locomotion, etc. Encouraging kids to swim is most important, and the neat thing is that you do not have to be as good as Cullen Jones just to save yourself. Let me tell you a little story about inspiration. My mother was my hero and my inspiration when I needed to become a swimmer. I wanted to hang out with my favorite uncle at his fishing camp on a marshy island on Lake Catherine in Louisiana. I was about 9 or 10, and thought I was good. I had to pass my father's swim test just to get there. Well, my dutiful mother took me and my cousin to the Dryades Street YMCA (no pool), and we learned in an over-crowded, segregated swimming pool two blocks from the "Y". You will be surprised how fast you can learn when motivated. I passed my father's swim test with flying colors and continued going to my uncle's camp through high school & college. Later, in high school, I noticed my mother never went into the water whenever we went to the public beach at Lake Ponchartrain or the Lincoln Beach swimming pool. When I was in college, and after she saw me swim competitively at Southern U, she confessed that she was terrified of water; she did not know how to swim. She never passed her fear of water on to us; instead, she took us to the pool. You are doing the right thing, and as you improve your skills and teaching technique, so will the young people you aspire to reach. Just tell every 8 year old kid that it is natural to swim, everybody learns to swim. So what do they know? They know what you teach them. Best to you.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dudley Edmondson on March 9, 2010 at 10:36am

Hello Errol

that is a very inspiring story about your mom. I agree with you, perhaps I should take some master swim classes before working with kids. I must admit though I understand the mechanics of swimming almost better than I can swim. since learning to swim I have been actually teaching my YMCA swim coach how to improve his own stroke(he leads with his shoulder on the recovery portion) he is a young white kid and has helped me a lot but now that I have studied the mechanics so thoroughly I see many flaws in his freestyle but only rarely tell him about them as he is so young. I also help my wife with her swimming she practices so much, sometimes swimming 5000 plus yards a week and is still struggling.

I have a question: is there a place on this site for us to post video's of ourselves swimming for other to view so we can get tips and help each other??

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ERROL DUPLESSIS on March 9, 2010 at 6:08pm

Great question. You might want to run your question through Jayson or Shaun. Better yet, why not take the lead and start a group for swim technique discussion and for posting video. Personally, I am not so concerned about critiquing technique as much as I am concerned about people learning the basics of swimming right on through the intermediate level. I did all that when I coached age group and high school programs. But there are many who will share your passion for technique. So, go for it. And I will be a contributor from time-to-time. And you may be able to share and lend your photography and videography skills to this forum. What you are proposing is a no-brainer. You have the talent and the motivation, so go for it. We will all benefit from your good work. And thank you for your very kind words. Peace!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James Edward Mills on March 9, 2010 at 11:21am

I grew up around pools and the ocean. My grandmother said I could swim before I could walk. I worked my way through college as a lifeguard. I just put in 2100 meters this morning and I swim three days a week for fitness. Like anything in life starting early, being encouraged by elders and regular practice are all key in making swimming a lifelong passion.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ERROL DUPLESSIS on April 1, 2010 at 1:30pm

Welcome to our discussion, James. So sorry it has taken me so long to acknowledge your participation. You are a role model of the first order. And your parents are to be highly commended for stepping up in the fulfillment of their parental duties in such a positive way. You benefitted! Where did you go to college? Just curious!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Angela Gray on April 21, 2010 at 10:41pm

I wonder if my husband and I have stumbled upon another piece of the puzzle? The black notion that if you're not immediately good at something, maybe it's not for you. I wrote a blog post on it. Let me know what you think.

http://imswimming.net/2010/04/21/are-you-supposed-to-be-born-good-a...

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ERROL DUPLESSIS on April 28, 2010 at 8:50am

Ahh! The instant gratification theory. Sorry, Angela, it really does not explain why too many of "our tribe" do not swim. The "other tribe" will love to hang their hat on that one. This argument can also be generally applied to low esteemed individuals who drop out of high school. And you know where they are going! But back to your notion. I want to take you on a memory trip to a certain period in the 1960's. There was a famous swim coach from Indiana (who shall remain nameless), who went around the country jokingly telling all who listened that black folks cannot swim because of bone and muscle density - remember that put down about "our tribe"? Do you think your notion might carry the same weight? Your notion does not explain why a 20 year old, who never learned to swim and who always believed that they (and other Black folk) cannot learn to swim, takes a swimming class in college and learns to swim. I taught college swimming for 21 years at Hampton University, and this experience was typical of the non-swimmer who took swim lessons. I believe that the Black experience and swimming is lack of access to quality swim lessons. Obviously some pockets within the Black community are more affluent in their thinking and social lifestyle than others, and therein lie the difference. I believe your notion is probably true for some people, but not limited to a race of people. Black folks drop out of the mainstream of learning life skills for other reasons, and this includes swimming, and we do not have enough time, nor is this the place, to discuss these issues.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Angela Gray on July 9, 2010 at 12:13am

You make some good points, Errol. I have mulled over the issue, and I agree with you. I wrote a post about it here and on my blog: http://imswimming.net/2010/07/08/why-dont-blacks-swim/. I will e glad when this is no longer an issue.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ahelee Sue Osborn on December 22, 2010 at 3:52pm

Coming into this thread months late... but thanks to the bump from the FB post!

Did anyone watch The View last week? Sherri Shepherd learns to swim.

Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MQ7Zr8KQio

Part 2

http://theview.abc.go.com/video/hot-topics-sherri-learns-swim-part-2

I thought this was a tremendous piece of swimming promotion/media but have not seen many publicize the feature.

Is there some reasoning or do people just not see the value?

I coach masters swimming and often take on learn to swim level adults. I have never found a link between race and the ability to learn to swim. Even in adults.

It is ALWAYS easier to teach a child than an adult. But my motto is, it's never too late.

Ahelee

California

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ERROL DUPLESSIS on January 6, 2011 at 1:32pm

Hi Ashlee,

Thanks for your contribution to this forum. I missed the segment of "The View" in your discussion, so sorry to say, and you were the first to bring it to my attention. I agree, this is excellent promotion, but it went to the wrong audience. If Sherri had tried this on BET, or discussed it with Tom Joyner, it for sure would have gotten more deserved attention. Without belaboring the point, most viewers of "The View" are more likely already knowlegable about water sports and I will bet that most already know how to swim. Sherri obviously was demonstrating her uneasiness about swimming, and her willingness to try it. Kudos to her for taking that first important step. There is always a beginning, and it is never too late to learn to swim.

If there is no link between race and learning to swim, why then is there such a disproportionate number of Black folks who do not know how to swim? This question has always fascinated me! I suppose there is reasoning for this. Read the forum in its entirety and draw your own conclusions. Take care, and thank you for participating.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Ahelee Sue Osborn on January 6, 2011 at 2:11pm

Thank you Errol.

When I wrote that I have never found a link between race and learning how to swim, I meant that I have had no less success in teaching any race over another.

The key here is opportunity and access. If desire to learn is added, there is literally a 100% success rate.

But you know that already.

My opinion is there are not enough swim coaches.

It is very difficult for a coach or swimming teacher to make a living at this occupation. And so, it isn't a highly sought after job for an adult. Especially at the learn to swim level.

Most great or good coaches/swim teachers work for the love of the sport. But they have difficulties like many low paying positions. No health care, benefits, and other problems associated with working in the elements.

That said, I am an avid recruiter of swim coaches. I look for individuals who love the water, technique and demonstrate patience.

I have also witnessed a lack of nurturing by head coaches of their assistants. And a lack of general mentoring.

We all need to look around at swimmers, parents, teachers and other potential new swim coaches and encourage them to get involved with us to teach swimming. Seriously.

I'm attending a swim coaches clinic in Napa, CA this weekend. I hope to meet some of you there.

Ahelee

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by ERROL DUPLESSIS on January 14, 2011 at 12:41pm

Your points are well taken. And I agree with you because I know that teaching and learning knows no race boundaries. We can all learn from excellent teachers, and there are never enough "excellent teachers". And you are so right about not enough swim coaches, who in my opinion also make for the better teachers. Best wishes in Napa.