Omie Dale is a London-based swimming instructor with award-winning expertise, and a trailblazer in promoting diversity and inclusion in swimming. She is also one of the instructors at our site in Parliament Hill Lido, based in North London. We are proud to have her as a swim coach on the OUTSIDE2 team, and I (Diana) had the pleasure of sharing some wonderful conversations with her during a swim at Parliament Hill Lido. Omie has expressed that several groups encounter barriers to swimming, such as people of colour, minority groups, refugees, women of colour, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, the intersectionality of these identities compounds these challenges, creating a sense of separation and discomfort that deters individuals from participating in group lessons, which are often more affordable and accessible than one-on-one sessions.
Listen to Omie here on the Tough Girl Podcast, run by Sarah Williams who aims to inspire women to undertake athletic challenges and increase the presence of female role models in sport media. When asked the question “Did you have any role models while growing up?”, Omie answered, “Most of my role models that I had as children… well, I don’t think I have the same role models now. I was quite political as a child, especially a teenager, and I really looked at certain members of Parliament, and I really liked strong business women. One role model that I actually had, and has long since passed was Virginia Woolf… the thing that I loved about Virginia Woolf was that she was a part of something called the Bloomsbury group, who were all poets and authors, and they used to hang out in a tearoom in Cambridge, which I thought was so romantic, and they were all very liberal and the women had affairs with each other, and the men cross-dressed, and they all swam together in the River Cam. And growing up, I thought, wow, there are all these intelligent women out there who also don’t necessarily conform to what society conforms to, and I just thought their life was amazing.” Omie says that as she has grown older, the role models that she has had has shifted towards those at the front of grassroots organisations, and she has “seen the power of community, and that’s where I look now.”
Communities such as Black/Asian and minority ethnic groups have historically faced more barriers in access to swimming in the UK. The Black community, in particular, has faced prolonged stigma that their bone density is higher so they are more likely to sink than swim. This stigma is rooted in a combination of historical misconceptions, racial stereotypes, and a lack of accurate scientific understanding. This belief has no basis in credible scientific research, but it has persisted due to racial stereotypes and the historical lack of access and exposure that Black communities have faced due to segregation and economic disparity. The lack of access to swimming spaces has led to fewer opportunities for swimming, which in turn has contributed to lower swimming proficiency rates in these communities. The stereotype that Black people “can’t swim” then became a self-perpetuating cycle, as the lower rates of swimming were incorrectly attributed to biological factors rather than social and economic ones.
In a piece published by Finnistere, Omie states “The notion that black people can’t swim is something that I have heard throughout my whole life. My mum heard it, my aunties and uncles heard it, my friends heard it, and I do think it has a lot to answer for in terms of this lack of participation. Not only do people themselves, if they struggle in the water, just think, ‘black people can’t swim anyway, we can’t float’. Or sometimes it creates this situation where people go to other sports where they feel more comfortable. Also, perhaps even worse, is that I have heard it amongst swimming teachers, and aquatic professionals, that they genuinely believe in this myth. I think we are failing such a huge number of people by believing this myth, and feeding into this stereotype, both people of colour and white people who perhaps are teaching these children. This sort of thinking creates an environment where people think that this is not a space for them. That other sports, where their friends are, or that their family have taken part in more, are for them, and that swimming is more of a middle-class sport, or a white person’s sport. The more we address this head on, and show that it is a myth, that you can get in the water, and that you will be able to float by the end of this lesson, and be able to swim, is really powerful. And also, being that representation so that people can see that they can do that as well.”
Furthermore, in an article with Swim England, Omie says, “As a child swimming, I also didn’t feel reflected or represented in the aquatics world and so wanted to explore this concept.” This inspired her to undertake a project in 2018 titled ‘If 71% of the world is water, how can we feel at home if we don’t know how to swim?’, which aimed to ‘explore who could access leisure centres and swimming pools as a community space, and who were unable to’. The project primarily focused on conducting surveys and interviews, while also offering free swimming lessons to adult non-swimmers, allowing Omie to gather their personal stories regarding their connection with water. Omie says “The findings confirmed some of what I already assumed but also brought up some new factors into why people may not necessarily have a positive relationship with the water, such as due to bad past experiences as a child (often during school swimming lessons), not being able to find swim gear – particularly caps – that fit them, and also due to the idea of changing rooms and the very fact of having to be very vulnerable and open in a swimming costume or trunks around lots of strangers.”
Asian women and women of Islamic, Hindu and Sikh faith often face additional barriers in this context due to cultural norms and religious beliefs that emphasise modesty. Many may feel uncomfortable or anxious about undressing in public spaces, which can hinder their participation in swimming activities. This sense of vulnerability can be intensified by societal pressures from others in the swim course and the fear of judgment, leading to a reluctance to engage in outdoor swimming or utilise changing facilities. It is our responsibility to serve these communities, by creating inclusive environments that respect cultural sensitivities and promote accessibility.
When asked by Sarah Williams whether Omie believes that changes are occurring in the swimming space to support diversity, whether they’re occurring at a quick enough pace and what’s been going on, Omie said “This year, particularly, I’m really looking to see organisations put resources, or money where their mouth is, and not just support what we’re saying…which is very easy to do especially in a closed Zoom meeting or a private room [then] okay to support organisations – but are you actually doing anything? And I think some sport, some brands, are doing quite well, but what I really look to is national government bodies and what they are doing to take an inward look at the make-up of their organisation, as the way that they do stuff hasn’t changed since they’ve been founded, you know, they’re not young organisations. I’m really interested to see this year what happens, following conversations and conversations.”
OUTSIDE2 are currently focusing on developing tailored groups specifically for minority ethnic communities, led by community leaders. By engaging these leaders and consulting with our Lived Experience Advisory Panel, we aim to ensure that our programmes are culturally relevant and that they effectively address the unique needs and preferences of minority groups. We believe that input from the public is invaluable, so we invite any suggestions that may enhance our efforts to promote inclusivity. Whether it’s ideas for specific groups, our recruitment process, feedback on our programme structure, or requests for additional information, we are committed to creating a welcoming environment for everyone. Our goal is to foster a sense of belonging and empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to participate in outdoor swimming.
Omie Dale runs her own organization called Swim Unity, which focuses on community engagement and inclusion in swimming. She volunteers in her free time at Pride in Water, and also serves as a volunteer swim host for Mental Health Swims in the London area. I would like to conclude this post by sharing a few tailored swimming groups for minorities, so please do not hesitate to get involved and reach out if you feel that they are relevant for you:
Swim Unity – Free swimming lessons for children and adults, beach days, nature outings, training and job opportunities for underserved communities
Mamma Swim – Focus on Mums
Soul Swimmers – Black and Asian Women Swimming
Mental Health Swims – Mental Health Focused Peer Support Community Swims
Pride in Water – LGBTQ+ Groups in Water
Black Swimming Association – Black Community
Words by Diana Phillips and Omie Dale