World News
Survey data shows significant gap in swimming ability among black Britons
Figures indicate that racial, socio-economic, and cultural factors contribute to lower swimming rates and heightened drowning risks among black communities in the UK.
The short version
- Data from Swim England indicates that 67% of black women and 44% of black men in England cannot swim 25 metres unaided, compared to 17% of white women and 12% of white men.
- Researchers and experts point to historical exclusion, socio-economic disparities, pool closures, and inadequate gear for black hairstyles as primary reasons for the disparity.
- Data from the National Child Mortality Database shows black children were over three times more likely to drown than white children between 2019 and 2025.
- Advocates and researchers are pushing for improved access and targeted programs to build water safety skills early in life.
Key facts
- Swim England survey data shows 67% of black women and 44% of black men in England cannot swim 25 metres unaided, compared to 17% of white women and 12% of white men.[BBC News]
- A 2023 study by the University of Portsmouth, the RNLI, and the Black Swimming Association disproved the claim that bone density prevents floating, showing that 89 of 101 participants floated unassisted for two minutes.[BBC News]
- According to the National Child Mortality Database, black children were more than three times as likely to drown as white children between 2019 and 2025.[BBC News]
- Swim England and ukactive report that more than 500 public swimming pools across the UK have closed since 2010.[BBC News]
- A 2023 Black Swimming Association survey found that 33% of black British respondents cited hair care issues as a barrier to swimming due to inadequate aquatic headwear for traditional Black hairstyles.[BBC News]
- Data from the Royal Life Saving Society UK indicated that 71% of children who drowned were known to social care at some point in their lives.[BBC News]
What remains uncertain
Sources
- The mystery of why so many black Britons still can't swimBBC News - Top Stories