Local organization making waves with BIPOC swim program
Posted Jul 15, 2025 03:07:17 PM.
Last Updated Jul 16, 2025 06:00:07 AM.
For many Canadians, learning to swim is a childhood rite of passage. The same can’t always be said for new Canadians, women or Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC).
After growing up with a fear of the water, Kelly De Fogain wanted to make sure her children had the opportunity to learn how to swim while staying safe, but she noticed a lack of programs for low-income and BIPOC families.
In 2023, she launched the Swim to Survive program in Kitchener as a year-long pilot project, through her organization, Afropolitan Canada.
De Fogain is the founder and executive director, and while a guest on The Mike Farwell Show, said interest in the swim program just exploded.
“Within a few hours (of opening), we had about 100 participants registered, and we only had 96 spots. So that’s how it really took off.”
She said the interest has only continued to grow. In 2024, Swim to Survive expanded to eight sessions at three pools. That led to a 62 per cent growth in participation in just one year, according to the Afropolitan website
In 2025, new programs for beginner swimmers and specialized female-only sessions were added. De Fogain says they are looking to grow the program outside of Kitchener.
“Right now, some of our participants are coming from Cambridge or coming from Brantford or Waterloo. So, the goal is really to work with other municipalities to have access to their pools as well.”
She also said they are working on ways to cut into the growing waitlist.
“We’re currently working to make the program year-round,” she said, adding, “The goal there is to really push for more fundraising.”
De Fogain said her dream is to one day see one of the young participants compete in the Olympics.
Afropolitan offers several life skills and sports programs for BIPOC communities in Waterloo Region, including mental health supports.
