Swim Against the Stream

The Alberta Chinese Cultural Education Society (ACCES) has offered the Swim Against the Stream program for women in 2023 and 2024 with support from InMotion Network. This project was in response to community need and their mission to eliminate barriers to accessing recreational sports for low-income families.

2024 - 3 Month Program

This community based program provided girls and women from various backgrounds with the opportunity to join in a series of supervised swimming sessions and other indoor and outdoor activities based on their interests and requests. . The program emphasized inclusivity and accessibility, offering a low-cost option for those who might not typically have access to recreational swimming due to financial constraints, geographic location, or cultural factors. The event was designed to ensure that every participant felt comfortable and supported, regardless of skill level, and provided a safe space for women to challenge themselves and connect with others in the community.

During this program, 52 girls and women ages 13 - older adult attended the sessions. As there was a diverse range of ages and abilities the program ensured that they:

• Customized the program for different abilities
• Provided age inclusive programming
• Ensured cultural sensitivity and representation (including language support)
• Provided a safe and supportive environment
• Supported building community through peer relationships and social connections

2023  - 7 Month Program 

Swimming Against the Stream is a successful program with over 150 women participants attending the drop in program that ran from February to August 2023. The majority of the participants were from immigrant families and for many this was their first experience learning to swim. The program was accessible to women in the community, had attendees ages 24-69, had coaches from different cultural backgrounds, and supported participants with a variety of abilities.

ACCES also had a great partnership with the City of Edmonton as well as coaches from diverse cultural backgrounds, these were both key to the programs success and the creation of a positive supportive environment to experience swimming.

The feedback from this program has been very positive, participants enjoyed everything about this program; the coaches, the location, the time and dates, the volunteers, the group chatting, the connection and reconnection with friends in the community. ACCES will continue to look for opportunities to get women in their community engaged and participating in positive physical activity opportunities.