The impact of swim caps on racial disparities in aquatic activities
The Olympic Committee's unfortunate decision to ban the Soul Cap swim caps during the Tokyo Games has unjustly affected black swimmers
Illustration by Cumulux Creative
When reflecting upon the foundation of hair cosmetology and its historical segregation into race categories, one cannot ignore the profound impact of these ideologies on hairstyling practices, maintenance routines, and the ongoing segregation observed in hair salons today. This article delves into the intricate relationship between racism, hair cosmetology, and the challenges faced by individuals with curly, loc'd, and coily hair types. The article “Swim Caps Are Keeping Black Women Out of Pools”* published by The Atlantic sheds light on an often overlooked aspect: the design of swim caps. Swim caps, primarily designed to protect hair, inadvertently exclude common hairstyles among black people, creating an additional barrier to their engagement in aquatic sports. One of the main reasons for lack of participation in swimming by black people are hair issues as well as chlorine being one of the main solutions in swimming pools that extensively dry out the hair and skin of anyone deciding to take a plunge. Chlorine or salt water negatively impacts the length retention and breakage for type 4 hair especially. Hair breakage can be avoided with the following steps:
A proper exfoliation chelating shampoo to remove the pool water;
Then, follow with a hydrating shampoo to efficiently remove toxic or bacterial materials;
After rinsing apply a protein deep conditioner, a hydrating butter;
And lastly, heat dry with a diffuser to prevent the hair from swelling. In this case the hair would've needed to get wet first to have to go through a whole wash routine.
It would be less likely if there is an actual swimming cap made for type 4 hair.
Other factors that have and still do contribute to the lower participation rates of black individuals in the multitude aquatic activities are the lack of lap pools nearby, inadequate representation, and fear of drowning have been acknowledged. The next olympic session next year will not have this struggle because the olympic committee has since lifted the ban agreeing that exclusivity based on race is an ongoing issue that the world community is still overcoming. The swimmers of 2017 were not given the clear to wear these protective caps. Being overlooked is something so common in the curly community that only in 2017 were black women taken seriously about their need to protect their hair while swimming. When the ban was introduced it didn’t meet the bare minimum or engage in the community's queries. Just because things weren’t available before does not mean that it was never needed. Giving an advantage of not pulling down a cap more than 20 times compared to other professionals in competitive times because of:
Slippery conditioners
Thick hair
Hair deflating or expanding from drying hair or water absorption respectively
The main reason why the participants were barred from using this particular cap was because "It did not follow the shape of the head" according to a BBC report Olympic swim cap ban.** The lack of guidance on swim cap usage for various hair types exacerbates the problem, leading to hair breakage and frustration.
Recent developments have seen the emergence of swim caps specifically designed for dreadlocks, braids, and afros. The shift from latex to silicone materials really improved the strength of the grip around our sensitive edges. Especially as curly people we use a lot of conditioners, curl butters and gels. When wet these products can create a lot of slip which can make conventional swim caps slip off. This is particularly inconvenient for competitive swimming.*
The Soul Cap and other thick hair swim caps have been created, a swim cap designed to accommodate all kinds of product filled hair, the article highlights how even at the highest level of competition – the Olympics – racial disparities persist. It should also be noted; Thick hair does not just exist in the black community. All ethnicities can have a lot of hair on their heads. The Olympic swimming committees’ rejection of the Soul Cap exposed issues of uniformity as well as bias, reflecting a broader problem of underrepresentation at the level of Olympic committee levels and biased filled discrimination in aquatic sports.
The decision to lift the ban on swim caps like the Soul Cap signifies a step towards inclusivity and recognition of the ongoing challenges faced by black individuals. The article emphasizes the importance of continued efforts to ensure that racial exclusivity is eradicated from all aspects of society, including sports and cosmetology.
In a world where racial disparities still persist, the connection between swim caps and hairstyles serves as a powerful reminder of the need for greater inclusivity. This article aims to shed light on the complex interplay between hair cosmetology, swim caps, and racial segregation, encouraging dialogue and action towards a more inclusive and equal future for all individuals, regardless of their hair type or background.
*Marissa Evans. “Swim Caps Are Keeping Black Women Out of Pools“ The Atlantic. Accessed July 29, 2023 https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/08/swim-caps-black-women/567398/
**BBC. “Soul Cap: Afro swimming cap Olympic rejection could be reconsidered after backlash“ BBC News Newsbeat. Accessed July 31, 2023 https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-57687096