I read this interesting discussion on Diversity in Aquatics. Errol Duplessis, former swim coach at Hampton University, asked the question, ‘Can the culture of non-swimming be reversed?’

I think it can, but I wonder, will it? I read in Darrick Linton’s response that he had a chance to go to Hampton University on a swim scholarship in the 70s and chose not to accept it. I did not understand his reason for this. It sounds like he was counseled against it.

My oldest child is graduating from High School this year, and she has a job as a swim instructor and recently passed her lifeguard certification exam. When I suggested to her that she swim in college, she wasn’t interested. When, in the past I’d mentioned that she could get a swim scholarship to college, she wasn’t interested.

Here is a swimmer who’s not interested in being part of the swim culture in college. Why? She doesn’t want to deal with the hair issue in college. Not even after I told her about the Hampton swim coach who advocates saran wrap.

It is disheartening. My son is another anti-swimming hard case. He had such a negative experience swimming hundreds of laps each practice, he can’t see himself volunteering to swim again. Could it be that the rigors of competitive swimming training are enough to turn off the very students it trains? Or is hair a deal-breaker? What do you think?