Empowering the Next Generation of Black & Minority Ethnic Swimmers

Numerous factors may contribute to why BMEs are less likely to take up competitive and even recreational swimming; but one significant factor often overlooked is that swim caps aren’t designed to protect common hairstyles and types among BMEs

For many years we have been searching for the best swim caps to protect and keep our hair dry while engaging in swimming and other water sports. For many Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) people especially, the cost of sacrificing our hair - our crowning glory for which we spend hundreds in care, maintenance and styling - this is a complete put off from swimming and other aquatic activities. On the other hand with this compromise, we sacrifice to a significant extent - better health, well-being and improved quality of life. So although BMEs have some representation in land sports, they are significantly under-represented in aquatic sports.

Numerous factors may contribute to why BMEs are less likely to take up competitive and even recreational aquatic sports. Still, one significant factor often overlooked is that swim caps aren't designed to protect common hairstyles and types among BMEs - adding yet another barrier to their participation in swimming, kayaking, water polo, diving, aqua classes and other aquatic activities.

Although swimming is taught in most primary schools as part of the national curriculum and may be compulsory at that stage, most children (girls especially) who go on to secondary schools (where this is optional) do not pursue this discipline largely because of the cost to their hair.

My personal story, as a mother of 3 avid swimmers is the same plight as millions of other BME mums. I personally have struggled with the adverse effects of swimming and chlorine damage to my hair, so I gave up swimming for nearly 2 decades and cut my hair short. I now have 2 daughters, and over the past 5 years, I have struggled yet again with the same issue. My girls swim at least 3 times a week. We've been through many swim caps to no avail. 4 years ago, I made a promise to my 1st daughter - to find a swim solution for her beautiful hair to keep dry and protected in the pool. Swimming lessons for us had been a tedious ordeal, but since the invention of my waterproof scarf, swimming is a family fun-filled delight.

Necessity is the mother of all invention they say; this plight began my revolutionary journey.

What if there was a simple hair solution? One that gives us the confidence to start engaging in recreational aquatic activities? Swimming, aqua classes, water sports, or merely using the spa with the confidence to know that our gorgeous hair will stay healthy, protected and completely dry? What if there was a better solution that would cater to all hair types -

voluminous, short, long, straight, curly, afro, wigs, weaves, extensions, braids or dreadlocks?

What if this revolutionary solution was exclusively designed to solve this age-long problem with water and wet hair? Could this greatly improve our quality of life and reduce our stress levels? Would it reduce obesity and improve our general fitness, promoting longevity? Would we certainly swim more, especially competitively? Most definitely!

So the best swim cap we've been searching for all these years is not a swim cap, it's a scarf! My WaterProof Swim Scarf - versatile, innovative and stylish.