Life Saving While
Life Building

Diversity on Deck is a youth-founded and youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that teaches water competence and swimming skills, cultivates experiences of belonging and inclusion, and broadens community awareness about the many possibilities in aquatic sports and careers.

Promoting Safety. Connecting People. Modeling Possibilities. Propelling Aspirations.

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STARTLING STATISTICS

#1

Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1–4.

1.5x

Black people under 30 have a 1.5x higher drowning rate than their White counterparts.

7.6x

Black children aged 10-14 years drown in swimming pools at a rate 7.6 times higher than White children.

2x

American Indian and Alaskan Native people under age 30 are 2x more likely to drown than White people.

72%

55% of U.S. adults have never taken a swimming lesson. Among Black adults, 63% have never taken a swim lesson. The number rises to 72% among Hispanic adults.

2.1%

In 2023, USA Swimming (the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming in the U.S.) reported that out of their 334,995 athletes, only 2.1% were Black.

:20

Drowning is a swift and quiet killer. Drownings can occur in as little as 20 seconds.

*Recent statistics compiled from the Center for Disease Control, the National Drowning Prevention Alliance, and USA Swimming

IT'S TIME TO BREAK THE CYCLE.

THE SOLUTION

The acronym S.E.A.² (coined by our founder, Kendall Carpenter) captures the driving principles of Diversity on Deck. By prioritizing Safety and Security, Equity and Equality, and Access and Acceptance in the world of aquatics, we aim to be part of the solution.

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Events

Discover Diversity on Deck’s past events and be sure to follow our upcoming plans as we work to promote water safety and encourage inclusive aquatic communities.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Your support can help us save lives and create opportunities for all communities to enjoy water activities safely. Act now to make a difference.

TAKE ACTION

Meet the Team

Our dedicated team is committed to advancing our mission and making a positive impact on the communities around us, great and small. Get to know the individuals who invest their time to propel us forward.

OUR TEAM