Modest Waves
Removing barriers to swimming for Muslim women
Set up in 2023, Modest Waves was founded as a collaborative effort to address the unique barriers Muslim women face in accessing swimming. By offering an inclusive environment, Modest Waves seeks to empower Muslim women and ensure they can enjoy the benefits of swimming without facing cultural or religious barriers.
The aim of the initiative is to create inclusive practices and provide opportunities for Muslim women to participate in swimming, promoting physical and mental health benefits while respecting cultural and religious considerations.
The Modest Waves project was launched with Find Your Active funding and was developed in partnership with Sarah, an occupational therapist from Sport for Confidence, and the Everyone Active swim team at Eversley Leisure Centre.
This initiative aimed to provide Muslim women with access to weekly women-only swim sessions, staffed by female lifeguards to ensure privacy and comfort. Additionally, the project aimed to train lifeguards and swim instructors from within the Muslim community itself to ensure culturally competent staff and embed a sustainable programme.
The sessions have been met with high attendance, drawing women from across Essex, demonstrating the significant demand for culturally sensitive swimming opportunities. By co-producing the sessions with the participants, the project has been able to address evolving needs, such as the desire for swimming lessons, with a growing demand weekly from more women wanting to learn how to swim.
Key Learnings
Identified Barriers to Swimming for Muslim Women
Gender-Segregated Spaces
Limited access to women-only swimming sessions deters participation among Muslim women.
Fear of Judgement
Cultural stigmas and fear of misunderstanding in public settings deter swimming participation.
Limited Facilities
Lack of private, women-only facilities creates barriers for Muslim women seeking safe spaces.
