I was taught to swim in a lake, no cost, by my uncle at age 5. One of my happiest memories.
Yes, our high school had a pool. My teacher told me only fat people can float. Really hated that class. I am lucky I knew how to swim already. We had rivers and falls and lakes; everybody swam.
I have had so many friends who are black just flat out tell me that black people do not swim, period. lol I have been told much of the time it is cuz of their hair. Seems silly, but whatever.
I have not gone swimming in probably almost 25 years, but I bet I could if I needed to. My son learned at a pool when he was about 4.
The boy kept his head in class IV whitewater on the Youghioghenny river.