For many people, swimming is second nature. Whether it’s enjoying the pool on holiday, swimming lengths at their local leisure centre or taking part in a New Year’s Day dip, being in the water is often something they take for granted. For others, however, stepping into the water can feel intimidating, overwhelming and, at times, impossible.
For Adriel Ogunjebe, founder of Aqua Jetz in South Ockendon, helping people overcome those barriers has become a personal mission. Through his swim school, which he regularly documents on TikTok and Instagram, Adriel is creating opportunities for adults and young people to build confidence in the water, learn vital life-saving skills and experience swimming in an environment where everyone feels welcome.
His philosophy is simple:
“Learning to swim is a right, not a privilege.”
Swimming has always been a significant part of Adriel’s life. Growing up, he swam with Thurrock Swimming Club, progressing through the sport while also taking part in water polo. Alongside swimming, he represented his school in athletics and football, balancing all three sports throughout his secondary school years.
Like many young people, however, his interests changed as he got older and he eventually stepped away from swimming. Years later, while finishing university and considering his next career move, he began thinking about starting a sports-based business. Initially, football seemed the obvious route.
“I loved football, but the idea of football coaching wasn’t ideal for me. Freezing cold weather, loads of kids running around, not for me. At the same time, I was speaking to friends who couldn’t swim, and what had once been a joke became a serious topic.”
Those conversations became the driving force behind Aqua Jetz and strengthened Adriel’s belief that nobody should be excluded from learning a skill that can improve confidence, wellbeing and safety.
Since launching the swim school, he has discovered that the barriers preventing people from learning to swim often extend far beyond the water itself. Some learners have had negative experiences with previous instructors, while others have encountered stereotypes or simply never felt comfortable in traditional swimming environments.
Through speaking to participants, Adriel has learned that confidence, representation and belonging can have a significant impact on whether somebody takes those first steps into the pool. Creating welcoming and supportive spaces has therefore become a key part of Aqua Jetz’s approach.
“People just want to learn in a comfortable environment. Once people feel seen, they’re more likely to stay in that environment.”
At the heart of Adriel’s work is a desire to challenge misconceptions that discourage people from getting involved. Rather than focusing on limitations, he wants people to recognise that swimming is a skill that can be learned and developed over time with the right support and encouragement.
For Adriel, learning to swim is about far more than mastering different strokes. Water safety underpins everything he teaches.
Stories from friends who lacked confidence around water, alongside reports of drownings during the summer months, reinforced his belief that swimming education should be about helping people feel safe and capable in and around water, rather than focusing solely on performance and competition.
From treading water to understanding the risks associated with open water environments, Adriel wants participants to leave his sessions with practical knowledge and confidence that could one day save their lives or someone else’s.
Although Aqua Jetz is still in its early stages, Adriel has already seen the impact swimming can have on people’s confidence and wellbeing. Participants who arrive feeling nervous often leave feeling more relaxed, more capable and excited about continuing their journey.
One success story that stands out is his friend Django.
“Before joining Aqua Jetz, Django felt his progress had stalled. We worked on his body position and confidence in the water, and now he’s doing front crawl arms and side breathing without sinking. His perseverance has been wonderful to see.”
For Adriel, stories like this demonstrate the difference that patience, encouragement and the right environment can make. They also highlight the importance of meeting people where they are and helping them progress at a pace that works for them.
Beyond water safety, Adriel believes swimming offers long-term benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing. As a low-impact activity that can be enjoyed throughout life, it provides opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to stay active, improve their health and continue challenging themselves.
Whether somebody wants a gentle swim, a structured workout or simply the confidence to enjoy family holidays and days out, swimming can open doors to a healthier and more active lifestyle. Adriel is particularly passionate about the sense of achievement that comes from learning a new skill and seeing progress over time.
Looking ahead, he has ambitious plans for Aqua Jetz. His vision is to create opportunities for more people across Essex to access inclusive swimming lessons and develop confidence in the water.
“I want people of all communities to be able to come together and swim. A lot of swimming organisations are worried about competition but do not provide a fully inclusive place to learn. I want to provide this by bringing in a mix of young/experienced talented teachers of all cultures, so everyone has the option to have a teacher that suits them.”
He is also passionate about increasing diversity within swim teaching and ensuring learners can access instructors who understand their experiences and help them feel comfortable from their very first lesson. Active Essex’s work with the Black Swimming Association has highlighted how misconceptions around swimming, alongside a lack of representation within aquatic environments, can create barriers to participation for some Black communities. By providing visible role models and breaking down barriers to participation, Adriel hopes to help more people develop confidence in the water and see swimming as an activity that is truly for everyone.
Beyond teaching swimming, he hopes to reconnect people with aquatic sport more broadly, including encouraging former swimmers to rediscover the enjoyment they once found in the water and introducing others to activities such as water polo.
Throughout Aqua Jetz’s growth, community support has played a vital role. Adriel credits collaborations with organisations such as BlackThingsUK, as well as support from friends, family and local networks, for helping him reach new audiences and inspire more people to take up swimming. He believes these partnerships go beyond sport, helping to build confidence, celebrate representation and connect people with wider support around health and wellbeing.
“It’s great to see organisations like Aqua Jetz making such a positive difference in their community. Their passion for helping more people access swimming and water safety fits closely with the work we’re doing alongside local partners across Thurrock. We’re excited to support new connections and opportunities that can help them reach even more people and build on the fantastic work they’re already doing.”
Bash Mahmood, Active Essex Relationship Manager
For him, swimming is not just about individual achievements. It’s about creating spaces where people support one another, build confidence together and feel part of something bigger.
Aqua Jetz continues to grow, Adriel hopes to create a future where more people across Essex can access swimming lessons, develop life-saving water safety skills and discover a lifelong love of being active in the water.
After all, as he says:
“Learning to swim is a right, not a privilege.”
