A New York program is helping Black people of all ages enjoy swimming: ‘It’s very empowering’ | New York
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Valerie Spears wasn’t planning on taking swimming lessons when she met her high school date in new York city.
But when Spears, a 72-year-old retiree who lives in Akron, Ohio, learned about a free class in Queens, she decided to pack her bathing suit.
“I see it on TV. Many children drown because they do not know how and when to swim [my daughter told me about the class], I said, ‘Maybe I should go,'” Spears said. “I could drown like an old man.”
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Above: Young swimmers and an instructor at a swimming lesson organized by BPWS on Thursday 20 June 2024.
Above: Donna Hall, 58, and her son, Samuel De La Cruz, 11, share a tender moment. They have been taking lessons with BPWS for two years.
On June 20, Spears participated in a lesson organized by Black People Will Swim (BPWS). The gathering was part of a greater effortsinvented the world’s largest swimming lesson to promote water safety.
Dozens of first-time swimmers of all ages joined the event in Jamaica, Queens, with lessons rotated by age group.
At the beginning of the evening, the instructors assessed the comfort of a group of excited younger children in the water. Later, older adults entered the pool, practicing basic skills such as swimming, while the participants cheered each other on. Volunteers handed out free glasses and hats and shared information about future classes. At the end, everyone received a diploma.
“It just really empowers people and lets them know that you have options [with learning] how to swim,” said Paulana Lamonier, founder of BPWS.
Lamonnier, a former competitive swimmer, started BPWS in 2019 as a “side job” after posting on social media that he wanted to teach 30 people how to swim. Since then, BPWS has provided free and low-cost swimming lessons to more than 2,500 black and brown people at the Queens’ York College pool. Lamonier said he plans to expand the business.
Like most of their clients, BPWS’ 15 swim instructors are black. “To see someone who looks like me, who makes me feel comfortable, who gives me the right affirmations to support me, it’s very empowering,” said Jeanette Bennons, who takes classes with her two sons. “I think it’s a great step and very important for our young children.”
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Above: Polana Lamonier, founder of BPWS.
Center: Valerie Spears, 72, left; Janelle Benons and son Thaddeus, 9, right.
Above: Randy Smith, 69, is a swim lesson instructor.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages one to four in the United States. Black people under 30 are 1.5 times more likely to drown than white people, and these disparities are even more pronounced during early adolescence: black children ages 10 to 14 drown 7.6 times more often than white children.
These figures have historical roots. Black Americans were historically excluded of quality public pools, and even when segregation was outlawed in the 1960s, pools across the country were closed rather than integrated. The pools that remained open were often openly hostile places for black swimmers.
Today, there are only about 300,000 public pools in the U.S., compared to 10.7 million private pools, according to grades by the Association of Pool and Spa Professionals. Many cities have shortened their public pool seasons and limited hours — even during record-breaking heat — amid a nationwide lifeguard shortage.
“Black people for generations have not had access to pools because of racism,” said Donna Hall, 58, whose 11-year-old son Samuel is a student. “With no access to pools, how are you going to learn to swim?”
Samuel has been taking lessons with BPWS for two years.
“Personally, I would recommend this place,” Samuel said, “because it’s important to black people and it’s a place where black people can swim.”
Longtime instructor Randy Smith said many of his black students fear the water.
“Some because they had experience when they were younger, others [fear] is inherent because in the days of slavery one of the ways we were punished was [to] put us in the water, throw our heads in the water,” he said, referring to the trauma of enslavement that can be passed down through generations.
With record high temperatures expected this summer, being able to enjoy the water safely was a priority for many participants, young and old.
Thaddeus Benones, 9, described Thursday’s lesson as “awesome.” The lesson at another swim school “didn’t feel very good,” Thaddeus said, but with BPWS, he felt “protected.”
For those who might be nervous, Thaddeus offered some advice: “Try something because this could be your future.”
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