In partnership with Bold Waters, STA has launched a new online CPD focused on cultural competence in leisure and aquatics. Developed by Bold Waters, the new ‘Cultural Competence in Leisure and Aquatics’ CPD forms part of the organisations’ wider partnership commitment to inclusion, safeguarding, and strengthening equitable access to aquatic environments across the UK.

Cultural competence plays a role across every part of leisure and aquatics and spans many areas, including disability, gender, age, and socioeconomic background. This CPD has a particular focus on race and religion as part of wider inclusive practice, recognising their relevance to ongoing barriers to participation and gaps in safeguarding. While all aspects of inclusion are important and should be explored through dedicated training, this CPD responds to a clear need for focused, practical learning.

Aquatic professionals are supported to understand why cultural competence matters and how it relates to day-to-day interactions and decision-making, including the impact of unconscious bias and adultification on participation and safeguarding. Reflection is embedded throughout the CPD, encouraging learners to consider their own role and organisational practice, and to identify practical actions that can be taken immediately to strengthen inclusion.

Bold Waters is a UK-based social impact organisation working to widen access to aquatics and water safety, particularly for communities historically under-represented in aquatic spaces.

Melona Headley, Founder and CEO of Bold Waters, said: “Cultural competence is about understanding, respecting, and responding to the diverse backgrounds of the people we serve. This CPD is designed to help aquatic professionals reflect on their practice and ensure that, in leisure and aquatics, it’s not just about being welcoming, but about making sure everyone feels safe, seen, and supported in our spaces.”

Designed for learners working across the sector, from front-of-house and poolside roles through to management, this new CPD introduces cultural competence as an ongoing professional capability – recognising that culture shapes people’s experiences and that inclusive practice requires adapting communication, challenging bias, and creating fair access.

Kaylë Brightwell, STA’s Director of Education, said: “This CPD supports our commitment to safeguarding, professional standards, and inclusive practice across the aquatic sector. By working with Bold Waters to develop focused, practical learning, we are supporting aquatic professionals to build the confidence and understanding needed to respond appropriately to the diverse communities they work with.”

“It supports individuals to build professional confidence, helps organisations demonstrate a clear commitment to equality and safeguarding, and creates environments where customers and communities feel they belong. At an industry level, it supports action on inequality and helps ensure aquatics remains accessible, relevant, and future-focused,” confirmed Kaylë.

The launch of this CPD builds on the existing partnership between STA and Bold Waters, which is focused on breaking down barriers, creating clear pathways into aquatics, and supporting a more inclusive and representative workforce. Together, the organisations are committed to ensuring that inclusion and safeguarding are embedded not only within qualifications and standards, but within the everyday practice of aquatic professionals across the sector.