Diversity in Aquatics
Diversity in Aquatics is a 501-style nonprofit founded in 2006 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, that delivers water safety education, drowning prevention, learn-to-swim, and aquatic certification programs for historically underrepresented and underserved communities, organized through eight specialized Aquatic Councils.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersAlexandru Vlahuta, Romania
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Diversity in Aquatics does
Diversity in Aquatics (DIA) is a 501(c)(3)-style nonprofit organization headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, founded in 2006, dedicated to promoting water safety, drowning prevention, and equitable access to aquatic activities for historically underrepresented and underserved communities. The organization addresses the documented disparity that drowning rates for Black youth ages 5-19 are 5.5 times higher than for white peers (CDC). Its program portfolio spans Learn to Swim lessons, Water Safety Festivals, Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor certification (delivered through the American Red Cross), Adapted Aquatics Certification (with the Starfish Aquatics Institute), Scuba certification (through PADI, NAUI, and SSI), Diversity and Inclusion Training, and HBCU aquatic program development. The organization operates through eight specialized Aquatic Councils — Swimming, Scuba, Triathlon, Rowing, Adapted Swimming, HBCU/HSI/Tribal, Education and Research, and Thomas Spann Wellness — each with named chairs and corresponding programming.
DIA's distinctive intellectual property is the BlueMindfulness program under the Thomas Spann Wellness Council: a trauma-informed, anxiety-sensitive, and restorative justice approach to swimming and healing developed by Thaddeus Gamory, blending culturally responsive aquatic programming with emotional recovery and self-confidence building. The organization maintains a national Find a Swim Location directory backed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and championed by Olympian Cullen Jones, listing 146+ swim locations across the United States. Supporting infrastructure includes the Raklet membership platform, a SwimOutlet/CustomInk partnership for branded swim gear, and the Colors of Aquatics children's activity book on Amazon.
Revenue is generated from a mix of tax-deductible individual donations, corporate and organizational sponsorships, annual Raklet membership fees, training and certification tuition (with scholarships and group discounts), in-kind swimsuit donations, and modest affiliate income from merchandise. Distribution is achieved through direct community programs, a network of national partners (American Red Cross, USA Swimming, USA Water Polo, Safe Kids Worldwide, RWJF, International Water Safety Foundation), the council network, and event-driven engagement such as International Water Safety Day and the HBCU Celebration Weekend. As of 2024-2025, DIA reports participation exceeding 10,500 individuals per year and over 27,500 community members reached since 2022, with international expansion now extending into the Caribbean (Grenada).
Diversity in Aquatics firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Diversity in Aquatics
- Legal name
- Diversity in Aquatics
- Website
- https://diversityinaquatics.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Diversity in Aquatics is a 501-style nonprofit founded in 2006 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, that delivers water safety education, drowning prevention, learn-to-swim, and aquatic certification programs for historically underrepresented and underserved communities, organized through eight specialized Aquatic Councils.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Diversity in Aquatics industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Water Safety Education and Drowning Prevention Services
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water Safety, Lifeguarding & Training Services (Staffing, Certification) (THAAABAL)
Keywords
Where Diversity in Aquatics is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Alexandru Vlahuta
- HQ country
- Romania
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Diversity in Aquatics business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting water safety education and drowning prevention programs. Donations fund water safety festivals, swim and caregiver certifications, HBCU programming, and instructor training.
- Membership Fees: Annual membership through Raklet platform providing networking opportunities, workshops, best practices access, and hands-on activities.
- Training and Certification Programs: Revenue from lifeguard training, water safety instructor certification, adapted aquatics certification, scuba certification, and diversity and inclusion training programs. Scholarships and financial aid available.
- Sponsorships: Corporate and organizational sponsorships for water safety festivals, clinics, HBCU engagements, youth initiatives, and signature events.
- Swim Suit Donation Program: Community-driven swimsuit donations ensuring everyone has proper gear to learn to swim and participate in aquatic activities.
- Swim Gear Sales: Partnership with SwimOutlet and CustomInk for swim gear and apparel sales, with affiliate revenue from the Colors of Aquatics activity book on Amazon.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | One time | Adapted Aquatics Certification |
| Other | One time | Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor Training |
| Other | One time | Scuba Certification Program |
| Other | One time | Diversity and Inclusion Training |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels13 records
Diversity in Aquatics product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Diversity in Aquatics (DIA) is a nonprofit organization that delivers water safety education, drowning prevention, and learn-to-swim programming for historically underrepresented and underserved communities. It offers certified lifeguard, water safety instructor, adapted aquatics, and scuba training (via American Red Cross, Starfish Aquatics Institute, PADI, NAUI, and SSI), runs Water Safety Festivals, supports HBCU/HSI/Tribal aquatic programs, and provides advocacy, DEI training, and the proprietary BlueMindfulness trauma-informed wellness curriculum.
Product overview
Diversity in Aquatics is a nonprofit organization offering a portfolio of water safety education and aquatic access programs rather than a unified technology product. The core offerings include Learn to Swim lessons, Water Safety Festivals, and competitive swimming/rowing/triathlon programs organized through specialized Aquatic Councils (Adapted Swimming, HBCU/HSI/Tribal Institutions, Research, SCUBA, Swimming, Triathlon, Rowing, and Thomas Spann Wellness). Supporting services include certification programs for Lifeguards, Water Safety Instructors, Adapted Aquatics, and Scuba (through PADI/NAUI/SSI partnerships), Diversity and Inclusion Training, HBCU support, and advocacy campaigns. The organization maintains a Find a Swim Location directory for discovering aquatic facilities nationwide. Additional offerings include merchandise (Colors of Aquatics activity book, swim gear via SwimOutlet partnership), volunteer programs, and membership services through the Raklet platform. The Thomas Spann Wellness Council offers the BlueMindfulness Program, a trauma-informed aquatic wellness initiative. No AI capabilities or API products are offered.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Learn to Swim Program
Quantifiable outcome
- Drowning rates for Black youth ages 5-19 are 5.5x higher than white peers (CDC)
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Diversity in Aquatics
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Diversity in Aquatics technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Diversity in Aquatics partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- American Red CrosscoreNational partnership for championing water safety and drowning prevention. The American Red Cross provides training and certification programs for lifeguarding, water safety instruction, and CPR/AED. Parents receive Red Cross training at DIA events.
- USA SwimmingcoreMulti-year partnership with the national governing body for swimming to promote diversity and inclusion in the sport. Includes joint events, community outreach, and support for competitive swimming programs.
- USA Water PolocorePartnership to launch co-ed water polo teams, including at Howard University. Supports expansion of water polo in diverse communities.
- Safe Kids WorldwidecoreNational partner for water safety initiatives. Collaborates on water safety events and programming to prevent childhood drowning.
- Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)coreBacks the Find a Swim Location national network directory. Foundation support enables expansion of accessible swimming opportunities.
- One America Financial FoundationminorCommunity partner for International Water Safety Day events. Provides support for water safety education and parent training.
- Zac FoundationminorNational partner supporting water safety initiatives and drowning prevention programs.
- International Water Safety FoundationcorePartnership for International Water Safety Day, a global initiative raising awareness about drowning prevention and educating youth on water safety.
- Starfish Aquatics InstitutecorePartnership for Adapted Aquatics Certification program. Meets highest standards in adaptive swim instruction with expert guidance and hands-on experience.
- PADIcorePartnership with Professional Association of Diving Instructors for scuba certification programs ensuring highest standards in scuba education.
- NAUIcorePartnership with National Association of Underwater Instructors for scuba certification programs.
- SSIcorePartnership with Scuba Schools International for scuba certification programs.
- National Association of Black Scuba DiversminorConnects participants with established diving communities, mentorship, advanced certifications, and a broader network committed to inclusion and marine conservation.
- United Swim School AssociationcorePartnership for learn-to-swim initiatives and competitive swimming development programs.
- Jack and Jill of AmericaminorNational partnership for community outreach and swim programming targeting African American families.
- USA RowingcorePartnership for rowing program development, scholarships, and expanding access to the sport.
- Black Triathlete AssociationminorCommunity partnership for triathlon events and initiatives in diverse communities.
- SHAPE AmericaminorPartnership for training Health and PE teachers in water safety education with Baltimore City Schools.
- National Water Safety Action PlancorePartnership for water safety research, best practices, and advocacy initiatives.
- U.S. Masters SwimmingminorPartnership for HBCU aquatic programs providing curriculum support, coaching clinics, and scholarship pathways.
- USA TriathlonminorPartnership for triathlon programming and athletic development at HBCUs.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Diversity in Aquatics competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Live Like Jake Foundation: Nonprofit offering swim lessons and water safety education in memory of a child lost to drowning. Comparable mission and operating model: small nonprofit focused on free/subsidized survival swim lessons and drowning prevention.
- The ZAC Foundation: National drowning-prevention foundation focused on water-safety education for children. Directly comparable mission and listed as a national partner of DIA — a peer at similar scale and funding profile.
- Starfish Aquatics Institute: Aquatic-safety and certification organization providing swim-instructor curricula including the adapted aquatics program DIA uses. Closely comparable as an aquatics-education nonprofit with which DIA co-delivers the Adapted Aquatics Certification.
- National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA): US coalition of water-safety organizations and individuals working on drowning prevention. Directly comparable mission, and NDPA has previously recognized DIA with its DE&I Award — a strong peer with overlapping advocacy and education remit.
- Swim Strong Foundation: Urban learn-to-swim nonprofit serving under-resourced communities in the NYC area. Highly comparable as a community-based aquatic-equity nonprofit operating free/subsidized swim instruction in underrepresented neighborhoods.
- USA Swimming Foundation: The philanthropic arm of USA Swimming, focused on learn-to-swim and diversity-in-aquatics initiatives including the Make a Splash program. Directly comparable as a national-scale swim-equity nonprofit operating in the same drowning-prevention and youth-inclusion space as DIA.
- International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF): Honor and education organization dedicated to preserving aquatic history and promoting swimming worldwide. Comparable as a nonprofit operating in the swim-education and aquatic-heritage space that intersects with DIA's traveling exhibit and educational mission.
Broad incumbents
- YMCA of the USA (Aquatics Programs): National nonprofit federation that runs learn-to-swim and aquatics programs across thousands of branches. A broad incumbent offering overlapping swim-instruction services that DIA partners with and competes against for community engagement.
- Safe Kids Worldwide: Global nonprofit dedicated to preventing childhood injury, including drowning. A larger incumbent and active DIA national partner with overlapping water-safety and youth-protection mandate.
- American Red Cross (Aquatics): National humanitarian organization that runs the dominant lifeguard, WSI, and CPR/AED certification programs. A broad incumbent whose training infrastructure DIA leverages and competes with for water-safety mindshare.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Diversity in Aquatics social profiles
Digital presenceDiversity in Aquatics financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Diversity in Aquatics leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles13 records
Diversity in Aquatics funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Diversity in Aquatics M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Diversity in Aquatics
What does Diversity in Aquatics do?
Diversity in Aquatics (DIA) is a nonprofit organization that delivers water safety education, drowning prevention, and learn-to-swim programming for historically underrepresented and underserved communities. It offers certified lifeguard, water safety instructor, adapted aquatics, and scuba training (via American Red Cross, Starfish Aquatics Institute, PADI, NAUI, and SSI), runs Water Safety Festivals, supports HBCU/HSI/Tribal aquatic programs, and provides advocacy, DEI training, and the proprietary BlueMindfulness trauma-informed wellness curriculum.
Is Diversity in Aquatics a public or private company?
Diversity in Aquatics is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Diversity in Aquatics founded?
Diversity in Aquatics was founded in 2006. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Diversity in Aquatics based?
Diversity in Aquatics is headquartered in Alexandru Vlahuta, Romania, in the Europe region.
How does Diversity in Aquatics make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Donations and Contributions are the primary driver. The others are membership Fees, training and Certification Programs, sponsorships, swim Suit Donation Program and swim Gear Sales.
Who are Diversity in Aquatics's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Live Like Jake Foundation, The ZAC Foundation, Starfish Aquatics Institute, National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), Swim Strong Foundation, USA Swimming Foundation and International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF). Broad incumbents are YMCA of the USA (Aquatics Programs), Safe Kids Worldwide and American Red Cross (Aquatics).
Does Diversity in Aquatics have an API?
No public API is recorded for Diversity in Aquatics.
What industry is Diversity in Aquatics in?
Diversity in Aquatics's product category is Water Safety Education and Drowning Prevention Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAABAL, Water Safety, Lifeguarding & Training Services (Staffing, Certification). Its NAICS code is 611620 and its SIC code is 7997.