On Thursday, May 2nd, 2024, the ICSN and the City of Durham held the Breaking Barriers in Swimming Launch Event at the Audley Recreation Center Pool in Ajax, ON.
Breaking Barriers in Swimming invites 20 Indigenous, Black and racialized swimmers to learn more about water safety with Jamaican Olympic Swimmer and world record holder, Alia Atkinson. The swimmers had access to training and exercises that enhanced comfort levels in the water as well as the opportunity to enroll in a six-week swim program in the summer.
All participants received a gift bag with items from Soul Cap, Swim Canada, Whatabound, and various other organizations. We had the privilege to hand out soul caps to swimmers and continue to break barriers and create opportunities for BIPOC youth to feel more confident in the pool.
Thank you to Deputy Mayor of Ajax, Sterling Lee and Minister of Health, Mark Holland for your attendance and support in creating a space for BIPOC youth swimmers in Canada.
Our goal is to empower diverse children aged between 7 to 12 to start, and continue, their journey to learn how to swim. Through this program, we aim to promote life-saving skills and future opportunities that swimming can lead to like water-based exercise, recreation, competitive sports, and jobs in the aquatics field.
To learn more about the Breaking Barriers in Swimming Program click here.
