Danielle Obe Launches Waterproof Headscarves To Encourage People Of Colour To Learn To Swim
According to Sport England statistics, 97% of Black adults and 82% of Black children in the UK do not swim. That does not mean they can’t swim, rather they just aren’t in the water.
Black Swimming Association (BSA) research cites the cost of equipment, swimming lessons, transport, locations, and accessibility, as major contributing factors.
Furthermore, the largest barrier to participation for people of African, Caribbean and Asian heritage was concern over their hair, as haircare can be very expensive, whether it’s maintaining, styling or protecting.
Textured hair is more susceptible to long-term damage from the chemicals used in swimming pools. Prolonged contact can cause the hair to become dry and brittle, leading to breakage. The time, effort and cost it takes to treat and style hair after swimming can be a particular deterrent.
There is also a lack of representation, inherited fears of drowning, negative early experiences, and a lack of water safety awareness and aquatic skills.
Danielle Obe, chair of the Black Swimming Association, spent months researching swim caps and realised they’d never been designed with textured hair mind nor to keep hair dry.
She founded Obé in early 2019 and despite early barriers, the company has now produced a headscarf that is waterproof and hypoallergenic with no traces of latex.
Obe said: “There are many barriers to people with textured hair participating in aquatics. Organisations such as the BSA are working hard to make swimming more accessible for all. But there is one specific obstacle that Obé aims to tackle. A big barrier that impacts me, my daughter, and many others I have found on this journey… our hair.
“Being able to swim having water safety knowledge are more than just life skills, they are basic human rights. At Obé, we believe in empowering communities and creating opportunities to embrace being in, on, or around water. Without fear, without upset, without worry, just rejuvenated peace. Through Obé, we want to give others the courage to find their place in the water.”
- Link to Obé website