Dr. Lydia Kostopoulos (PhD)’s Post

For our second cultural digest, ON ROAD senior researcher Jamie Oyebode explores the important topics and the complicated relationship Black people have with swimming. 95% of Black adults do not swim, and 80% of Black children do not swim. The relationship people of colour have historically had with swimming (and water) runs deep, and should be considered when trying to understand why resistance to getting into water has been so high. It is worth exploring what more can be done by brands, bodies and organisations to further build a swimming culture for people of colour that both inspires and educates. There are many parallels we can look to for inspiration and success stories. And those who get it right in swimming will be the first to tap into an audience of 10.5 million people of colour in the UK - whilst having a leading role in teaching these people a skill that could save their life, or someone else’s. Download the full report here: https://we.tl/t-KdCqFb18OT

🏊♂️ Sharing my latest read: "The Watermen" by Michael Loynd. This captivating tale goes beyond athletics, diving into the depths of resilience and determination required when choosing a less-traveled path. In an era when swimming was merely seen as a leisure activity, Charles Daniels emerged as a trailblazer, reshaping the landscape of American sports. His journey epitomizes passion and perseverance. "The Watermen" isn't just about Olympic glory; it's a narrative of triumph over personal and societal barriers. Charles's turbulent past fuels his unwavering dedication to swimming, illustrating resilience in its purest form. We witness the genesis of American swimming, challenging the established order of aquatic sports. Charles's story mirrors the evolving dynamics of competitive athletics in early twentieth-century America. More than a sports biography, "The Watermen" is a testament to grit and transformation. It chronicles the evolution of swimming and celebrates the unyielding spirit of those who strive for greatness. Join me in exploring "The Watermen" and rediscover the power of dedication and determination. 🥇 #TheWatermen #Swimming #SportsHistory #Resilience #Determination

My 4-year-old had his first swimming lesson yesterday. I was worried when we got there: Will he like it? What if he doesn't? What if he gets scared? What if the water is too cold? Him? Got in the water and started swimming. - How was it? - It was great. Will we go every day now? - Not every day, but quite often. - When's the next time? - The day after tomorrow. Are you coming? - For sure. Dina and I are also doing something for the first time: Sending a newsletter on Tuesday. At first, we were like: Will our subscribers like it? What if they unsubscribe? Can we keep up the pace? But today, we're jumping in the water and starting swimming. We won't do it every day, but quite often. Same place, same time. Still a free ride. In 2 hours. See ya.

From Non-Swimmers to a Competitive Swimmer in the Family! 🏅🌊 Neither my husband nor I knew how to swim, which is why we prioritized swimming lessons for our son early on. Starting with 'Mommy and Me First' classes at just 3 months old, he was diving into individual lessons by the age of one. Today, he competes in swimming with absolute confidence and no fear of water. This transformation is not just about sports; it’s about safety. Dive into our journey and more in my book, "Safety First." Let's empower our kids with the skills they need! https://lnkd.in/eeeZDMd9

𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 *𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧*, 𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝, 𝐰𝐚𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭, 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮? For heaven's sake, this was supposed to be *your time*. Time to finally book those impromptu trips, have some fun without worrying whether it is during the term time, or who will take the kids to their swimming classes. So why does it feel as though something is missing? Where are those impromptu trips? Why are they not happening? If you are frustrated, confused and just a little lost, let's have a conversation about how I can help you through this. #emptynest #travelmarketing #LiveLifeNow

Check out this post by one of our founders Moses Millman!

KhoiScouts team Robben Island crossings Three and counting ✅✅✅ Breaking barriers, stigmas, and false beliefs around swimming is essential to make water sports and confidence in the water more inclusive and accessible. Many communities still believe swimming is for certain people based on socio-economic background, race, or culture. To change this narrative, it's vital to: 1. Promote Water Confidence as a Life Skill: Swimming is a basic survival skill, not just a sport. Everyone deserves access to learn it, regardless of background. 2. Representation Matters: Ensure that instructors and role models from diverse backgrounds are visible in water sports. This helps dispel the myth that swimming is only for certain groups. 3. Create Accessible Programs: Developing low-cost swimming and water confidence workshops for underrepresented groups, to ensure cost isn't a barrier. 4. Cultural Awareness: Acknowledge and address the historical and cultural factors that may have contributed to certain groups being underrepresented in water activities, providing context and understanding to the challenges they face. 5. Positive Media and Education: We share our success stories and educational content that breaks down the false beliefs around who can swim, highlighting individuals from all walks of life succeeding in water sports. We are building an all inclusive environment, bringing ocean experiences to all communities. #khoiscouts_and_seadogs

🇺🇸🏊♀️Congratulations to Kate Douglass @UVA on winning the 200m Breast to become an Olympic #GOLD medalist #Paris2024 ! 🎉🎉🎉 Not only is she an olympic swimmer, but also a statistics student. She is the first author of "Swimming in Data” https://lnkd.in/g2TVJKb3 in the latest issue of #TheMathematicalIntelligencer ! #KenOno

Can eagles swim? Eagles are not known for their swimming abilities. While they can land in water and may paddle a short distance to reach shore if necessary, swimming is not a natural behavior for them. Eagles primarily hunt fish and other prey by swooping down from above and grabbing them with their talons. They don’t have too, and you don’t have to be a chef to eat! Isn’t life great? The ups and the downs keeps my blood warm. I don’t like the downs, but they make me stronger, wiser, and better. God is funny 😆. God gives you light at points in your life where you said “that’s enough, I’m tired now.” I especially like when God gives you a glimpse of your future by bumping your head with it 😂. Have you noticed how right at your breaking point God shows you what you’ve built and how far you’ve come? Don’t give up. This is God giving you a reminder. Take a moment and reflect on where you are…. Don’t Give Up. #BounceBack #Eagles #LashondraGraves #Leadershipdevelopment #levelup #housing #eviction Mark Smith Photography this is a great video!

Swimming How many black adults and children that can swim ? I probably gues not that many.. Let me tell you why ….. So prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, 95% of Black adults and 80% of Black children did not participate in swimming activities regularly, compared to 89% of White British adults and 71% of White British children. The truth is stark: a prevailing stigma suggests that swimming is a skill beyond the reach of the Black community. But this is more than a mere oversight; it’s a dangerous neglect of a life-saving skill. Let’s break the cycle of this disparity. So how can we improve this …? Let’s shatter the stigma. Join me in promoting swimming lessons in our communities. It’s not just about fun – it’s about empowering us all and it is also important for community to access to vital water safety and drowning prevention education. This includes understanding what to do in an emergency, as well as the potentially lifesaving benefits of being able to swim. #SwimmingEquality #WaterSafety #CommunityEngagement 🏊♂️🌊