The Black Swimming Association (BSA) is a UK-wide charity working across Wales to make aquatic environments more inclusive. Launched in 2020, the BSA was established to tackle the long-standing barriers that Black and Asian communities face around swimming, water safety, and aquatic participation.
For generations, these communities have been excluded from water-based activities, leading to higher risks of drowning and lower levels of confidence. The BSA addresses this by offering culturally aware education, research, and inclusive programmes that empower individuals to engage safely and confidently in aquatics.
What are the main aims of the Black Swimming Association?
The BSA aims to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, can enjoy the physical, mental and social benefits of being in and around water. Their focus is on:
- Reducing drowning rates among underrepresented communities
- Increasing participation and representation in swimming and aquatic leadership
- Creating safe, welcoming aquatic spaces through culturally sensitive engagement
They deliver this through two key approaches: a community-facing Programme and Delivery team, and a Research and Insights team that collects and shares data to influence change at a systemic level.
How does the BSA’s work help Sport Wales to achieve an Active Nation?
In Wales, the BSA contributes to the vision of an Active Nation by working with some of the most underrepresented and inactive groups. Their award-winning Together We Can programme builds water confidence and safety awareness among individuals and families, many of whom are new to swimming or returning to it after negative past experiences.
The BSA helps create safe, supportive environments that:
- Tackle fear and stigma around water
- Build long-term skills and self-belief
- Support both mental wellbeing and community connection
Their model is community-led and adaptive, allowing them to reach people in meaningful ways. In South Wales, local volunteers have been trained as swim teachers, with one now serving on the board of Swim Wales demonstrating how participation can lead to leadership and representation.
How can the BSA support the wider network of partners in our united Vision for Sport?
The BSA brings specialist expertise and lived experience to the wider sports sector. They are well positioned to support national governing bodies, leisure trusts, local authorities, and community organisations that want to make their aquatic provision more inclusive.
They support partners by:
- Advising on the design and delivery of inclusive, culturally aware programmes
- Training and mentoring people from underrepresented backgrounds into aquatic roles
- Using research and real-world data to highlight and address inequality in aquatics
- Sharing practical tools and guidance to improve outreach, language, and delivery
With a growing presence in Wales and beyond, the BSA is a trusted collaborator, open to partnerships that are community-focused and evidence-led.
Examples of the BSA’s work
Together We Can water safety programme in South Wales
Community member appointed to the Swim Wales board
National research into inequality in aquatic access
Get in touch with the Black Swimming Association.
Website: The Black Swimming Association
Email: [javascript protected email address]
Instagram: @theblackswimmingassociation
LinkedIn: The Black Swimming Association