The drowning and participation gaps in aquatics mirror the disparities we find in public health and education, often ignoring the ongoing historical issues of race, socioeconomic circumstances, and cultural stereotyping. Therefore, a revamped focus is needed to address and help curve the current gaps found in aquatics.

Founded by Dr. Shaun Anderson and Jayson Jackson in 2010, Diversity In Aquatics is an organization built to develop a network to help save lives by empowering communities to have equitable access to quality aquatic opportunities. We work to address historical policies and practices that impact resource allocation and access to public spaces to understand present-day aquatic disparities. Since our organization's founding, we have grown to nearly 2000 members, consisting of the most ethnically diverse water safety advocates, researchers, educators, aquatic leaders, practitioners, and enthusiasts. We have a nine-member board that works to ensure that practices are in place to reduce the risk of harm to our organization's volunteers and partners. In addition to our Directors, we have seven aquatic councils that play an essential role in the collaborative work we do to understand the needs, motivations, interests, and challenges of historically marginalized communities in the context of aquatic participation. As an action-based organization, Diversity In Aquatics has been influential in the aquatics industry to:

Dismiss stereotypes by challenging false narratives about historically marginalized communities' abilities and participation in aquatic activities.
Share information, resources, and knowledge with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
Preserve and educate about the diverse, and often hidden, history of aquatic accomplishments and culture.
Promote the benefits of aquatics to future generations.

Diversity In Aquatics goes beyond the efforts to save lives, curve drownings, and promote aquatics as a healthy activity. We represent the diverse leadership, reflective of the communities in which we serve. As a 100% volunteer-led member organization, we work together to promote water safety and drowning prevention education, focus on creating opportunities in aquatics and addressing drowning disparities in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) communities. We approach water safety and drowning prevention through the lens of social justice, education, and public health to address the impacts of race, socioeconomic circumstances, and cultural stereotyping effect the communities in which we serve.

Together with your help, we can create a more equitable approach toward a comprehensive water safety and drowning prevention strategy for all. Thank you for all your efforts, and we look forward to what is to become.

HU Bison Swim Club

Howard University's Swim Club