We work with leisure organisations, local authorities, swim schools, and outdoor providers to improve inclusion and participation in aquatic environments.
CIMSPA Accredited CPD
Inclusion & Cultural Competence in Aquatics and Outdoor Spaces
Why This Work Matters
Many people feel excluded from leisure, aquatic and outdoor environments not because they lack ability, but because the spaces themselves have not always felt welcoming or accessible.
Cultural expectations, historical exclusion, lack of representation, and different relationships with water all shape how individuals engage with swimming and outdoor environments.
Organisations across the leisure, education, and outdoor sectors increasingly recognise that improving access requires more than facilities and programmes. It requires understanding people’s experiences and removing the barriers that prevent participation.
Bold Waters supports organisations to build more inclusive, culturally aware aquatic and outdoor environments.
Cultural Competence CPD
Bold Waters has developed an online CIMSPA-accredited Cultural Competence in Leisure and Aquatics CPD, delivered in partnership with the Swimming Teachers’ Association (STA), designed for professionals working in swimming, leisure, and outdoor environments.
Participants will explore:
• Cultural perspectives on swimming and water
• Barriers that affect participation
• Inclusive communication and engagement
• Practical strategies for working with diverse communities
The course is suitable for:
• Swim teachers and instructors
• Lifeguards
• Leisure centre staff
• Leisure facility managers and programme managers
• Outdoor instructors
• Sports development teams
• Local authorities and community organisations
Consultancy and Advisory Work
We work with organisations seeking deeper support to develop more inclusive leisure, aquatic, and outdoor programmes.
Our consultancy can include:
• Programme design and review
• Community engagement strategies
• Staff training and professional development
• Advisory support for new initiatives
• Partnership development
How we support organisations
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Practical training for staff working in aquatics, leisure, and outdoor environments. Sessions introduce the Flow Wave Cultural Competence Framework and explore how culture, experience, and access shape people’s relationships with water and outdoor spaces. Participants gain practical tools to engage more effectively with diverse communities and create more welcoming environments.
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We carry out inclusion and equality impact assessments, reviewing programmes, facilities, policies, and engagement strategies to identify barriers to participation. Organisations receive clear, practical recommendations to help improve access and participation across leisure facilities and outdoor environments.
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Support for organisations developing inclusive programmes or seeking to strengthen engagement with underserved communities. We help design initiatives that reflect local needs, improve participation, and build stronger connections between organisations and the communities they serve.
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Advisory support for organisations developing inclusion strategies, evaluating programmes, and strengthening partnerships. We work with leadership teams to identify opportunities for improving participation and embedding inclusive practice across leisure, aquatic, and outdoor provision
Work With Us
If your organisation is interested in training, consultancy, or partnership opportunities, we would be happy to discuss how we can support your work.