We Come From Mermaids II: African Diaspora and Water (Pool Workshop) (AT CAPACITY-WAITLIST AVAILABLE)

11/15 update: Registration for this workshop is at capacity. Sign up for the waitlist here.

Led by Chandrika Francis of Oshun Swim School. Bartram’s Garden is partnering with Oshun Swim School this fall to offer a series of workshops related to swimming and water, for Southwest Philadelphia residents.

This workshop takes place at the Saint Joseph’s University pool: O’Pake Recreation Center, 376 N Latches Ln, Merion Station, PA 19066. Accessible by the route 52 bus.

Join us for an embodied journey into African diasporic aquatic traditions! Gain swim skills while learning more about the ways our ancestors engaged with water for resistance and joy during slavery times and the Middle Passage, and the multitude of rich aquatic traditions in Atlantic African cultures pre-European contact. Through games, water meditation, songs, and other aquatic activities we will tap into the joy, liberation, resistance, and wisdom that connects us to our ancestors. This workshop also includes music to support us in our joy and embodiment!

This space is geared towards beginner to advanced swimmers (to fully participate, you must comfortably move around independently in 4ft deep water, and submerge your body in water at least up to your neck. If you have fear around entering water, you are still completely welcome to join, and we will find ways for you to engage in the activities.)

**COVID-19 Precautions: Class size is up to 15 students. To increase access, students and instructors are required to have a negative COVID test within 24 hours of class time.

Free COVID rapid tests and two-trip SEPTA passes are available for registrants of this workshop. You can pick up these materials at the Bartram’s Garden Administration Building on Wednesday, Nov 16, from 4-7 PM.

Directions for pickup from Bartram’s Garden: The address is 5400 Lindbergh Blvd, Philadelphia, PA, 19143. Enter the Garden via Lindbergh Blvd and Harley Ave (near 54th St) and come down the Harley Ave entrance drive to the first building on the left. Ring the doorbell and someone will be available to provide you with one test and SEPTA pass per swim class for which you are registered. Contact  or (914) 960-2834 with questions about pickup.**

Bartrams Garden & Oshun Swim School 2022

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