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BIPOC Open Swim (allies welcome)
with Alanna Francis

Thanks to the generous support of Seattle Parks & Rec, this $10 offering is $5. If this is a barrier, please use the code "SPR" to waive the fee.
Pool Description: 86 degree indoor full size pool, 4ft-8ft. Pool space has 4-5 steps with railing to enter water.
We are so excited to be partnering with Seattle Parks & Rec to bring the OSS Open Swim to the Rainier Beach Pool again in 2025! This monthly offering is geared towards BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, POC) women and femme beginner swimmers to practice your skills and improve your water comfort, and for advanced swimmers to have a safer space to swim in community! Please note, allies of all genders and races are welcome to join this offering! We ask allies to read over agreements below. Come enjoy music, and the magic of playing in water with community. Former Oshun Swim School students as well as new community members are welcome so bring a friend and come practice your breath work, strokes, or just vibe and float!
Details:
-There will be several lanes avaialble for advanced swimmers, and an open area for floating and breathe practice
-You are welcome to use the sauna and pool noodles
-There are showers and gendered locker rooms, as well as private all gender changing rooms. Changing rooms and lobby are open before the start time, but the pool isn't necessarily open before the start time.
-Open Swim will be lifeguarded and we'll come together for an opening circle and closing circle (no swimskill instruction is offered)
-To keep a spacious and safe experience, there will be no more than 30 particpants
-This space is geared for adults, but if you have a (16+) young person you'd like to bring with you, they are welcome to join! Please note, minors are required to pass a swim test before going into the deep end.
*COVID-19 Precautions: There is no longer a mask requirement, but please stay home and rest if you have any of the COVID symptoms*
*The April 12th open swim time will be a special Sound & Swim Event with live music and an extended experience. Please register for Sound & Swim seperately.
Ally agreements: This space centers Black women and femmes, Black men, Indigenous people, and people of color. If you are joining a BIPOC loved one as an ally, please be mindful of your presence by leaning into listening rather than directing, teaching without invitation, or taking up a disproportionate amount of speaking space. Thank you! More info about allyship can be found here.
During the winter and spring, please send any inquiries about open swim to support@oshunswimschool.com, as our main email address will not be checked regularly.
Open Swims may be facilitied by founder Chandrika Francis, or by the talented water baby, Alanna Francis. More below : )
Alanna Francis (she/her) is a Queer Creole femme hailing from the West Coast, particularly Seattle, with a fervent dedication to investing in people and communities. Her approach to work is holistic, recognizing the importance of authentic connections aligned with core values to push beyond the status quo. With a background spanning the nonprofit and events sectors, Alanna possesses a unique ability to advocate, collaborate, and amplify the voices of diverse individuals, including activists, artists, business owners, students, and more. Her focus lies in elevating and connecting BIPOC and Queer/Trans communities, firmly believing that lasting change arises from the voices of the marginalized uniting in solidarity.
March Focus: Cascadia Merfolk (Mermaid lesson!)
May Focus: Trail Mixed (WOC outdoor organization!)
June Focus: Seattle Pride (QTPOC liberation focus!)
July Focus (outdoor all ages): TBD
August Focus (outdoor all ages): TBD
*July ALL AGES Field trip to Mounger Pool* BIPOC Open Swim (allies welcome)
with Alanna Francis

Thanks to the generous support of Seattle Parks & Rec, this $10 offering is $5. If this is a barrier, please use the code "SPR" to waive the fee.
**Please note the July Open swim is a special fieldtrip to the outdoor Mounger Pool, located in north Seattle (Magnolia), and all ages are welcome! Enjoy a deep end, shallow play area, a slide, as well as a lap swim area. Come explore a new space in community. Our group will have the entire space! Learn more about Mounger Pool Here.
Pool Description: The outdoor Mounger complex has two great pools. The Big Pool is kept at 85 degrees and has 5 lanes and a 50-foot corkscrew slide. The Little Pool, warmer at 94 degrees and shallower, is great for relaxing and teaching your little tadpoles. There is a parking lot next to the pool. The pool is on buslines 62, 75, and 79.
We are so excited to be partnering with Seattle Parks & Rec to bring the OSS Open Swim to SPR Pools! This new offering is geared towards BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, POC) beginner swimmers to practice your skills and improve your water comfort, and for advanced swimmers to have a safer space to swim in community! Please note, men and white allies are welcome to join! Come enjoy music, and the magic of playing in water with community. Former Oshun Swim School students as well as new community members are welcome so bring a friend and come practice your breath work, strokes, or just vibe and float!
Details:
-Open Swim will be lifeguarded and we'll come together for an opening circle and closing circle (no swimskill instruction is offered)
-This open swim welcomes kids! You are welcome to bring your little ones! Children younger than 6 or under 48" in height must be directly supervised in the water by an adult who is within a distance of an arm's length at all times. All youth must pass a swim test before moving to the deep end.
*COVID-19 Precautions: There is no longer a mask requirement, but please stay home and rest if you have any of the COVID symptoms*
*Please note the open swim centers BIPOC women and non-binary folks, and lovingly welcomes men and white allies.*
*August ALL AGES Field trip to Colman Pool* BIPOC Open Swim (allies welcome)
with Chandrika Francis

Thanks to the generous support of Seattle Parks & Rec, this $10 offering is $5. If this is a barrier, please use the code "SPR" to waive the fee.
**Please note the August Open swim is a special fieldtrip to the Colman Pool, located in West Seattle, and all ages are welcome! Enjoy views of the sound from the outdoor salt water pool (less chlorine, easier on the skin!). This is the only Seattle City Pool like it! Come explore a new space in community. Our group will have the *entire* pool reserved this year! Learn more about Colman Pool Here.**
Pool Description: Olympic size *salt water* outdoor pool, 4ft-12ft. Pool space has 4-5 steps with railing to enter water. We will be meeting at the South Parking Lot at 9:45am, and walking together to the pool at 10am. Please note, the lot is about 10min-15min walk (.5 miles)to the pool.
Open Swim Description: This new is geared towards BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, POC) beginner swimmers to practice your skills and improve your water comfort, and for advanced swimmers to have a safer space to swim in community! Please note, men and white allies are welcome to join! Come enjoy music, and the magic of playing in water with community. Former Oshun Swim School students as well as new community members are welcome so bring a friend and come practice your breath work, strokes, or just vibe and float!
Details:
-Bus line C
-The parking lot is a bit of a long (but beautiful!) walk. We realize this may make the trip inaccessible to some folks and apologize for the parking situation. There are a few ADA accessible spots closer, but still involve quite a walk. The trail is paved and wheelchair accessible, and there is a lift in the pool. Please reach out if you need more accessibility support or want to check in! We will be meeting at the Southern Lincoln Park Parking Lot, which is a little further, but an easier, flatter walk.
-There will be an area for lap swimmers, and the rest of the pool is an open swim area.
-Open Swim will be lifeguarded and we'll come together for an opening circle and closing circle (no swimskill instruction is offered)
-This open swim welcomes kids! You are welcome to bring your little ones! Children younger than 6 or under 48" in height must be directly supervised in the water by an adult who is within a distance of an arm's length at all times. All youth must pass a swim test before moving to the deep end. The deep end has a diving board.
*COVID-19 Precautions: There is no longer a mask requirement, but please stay home and rest if you have any of the COVID symptoms*
*Please note the open swim centers BIPOC women and non-binary folks, and lovingly welcomes men and white allies*