Teacher works to combat swim fears after drownings

Annelize Butler said she was working hard to push the benefits of swimming to the black community

A swimming instructor who specialises in teaching black people to swim says she is pushing the benefits of swimming to the community especially after two youngsters drowned in Spain over the summer.

Ameiya and Ricardo Junior Parris, 13 and 11, from Birmingham, died in July and their family said they were going for a swim but got into trouble in strong currents.

Annalize Butler, who runs Black Owned Swim School, said since then, many people had told her "I'm just going to stay away from the water".

But she said that reaction was "counterproductive" and learning to swim was about drowning prevention and safety.

After the youngster's deaths, authorities in Spain said they would "review everything" and take steps to prevent any similar future incidents.

Rosalyn's daughters were among the first to learn with Ms Butler in the Midlands

Ms Butler began her schools in 2020 in Birmingham and Wolverhampton and runs classes from private pools in London and Walsall.

She said some of those who took part in her classes, which were open to adults as well as childrem, went on to become trainers and lifeguards, making a difference to black people's representation in the industry.

"We've had people who have gone on holiday and been in the water with children for the first time - parents and grandparents," she said.

One parent, Rosalyn, said her daughters, Carmen and Esme, were learning to swim with Ms Butler and were one of the first families to join in the Midlands.

The girls have since taken part in open water swimming and learnt life-saving skills.

Rosalyn said it had been "great to watch them both go from swimming with aids to being able to swim freely and enjoy it", adding: "Each time we go I can see their confidence growing."

The school provided a community and safe space for black children to attend with a "natural understanding and rapport", she added.

"It really feels like a second home."