%0 Journal Article %T African American pre %A Douglas W Ellison %A Kevin Eckert %A Takahiro Sato %J European Physical Education Review %@ 1741-2749 %D 2019 %R 10.1177/1356336X18774760 %X The purpose of this study was to describe how African American pre-service physical education teachers engage themselves in learning aquatic content. This study used a case study design in andragogy theory. Seven participants (four males and three females) had very little experience and/or swimming ability prior to enrolling in the basic aquatic course. In fact, four participants had encountered near-drowning events and consequently experienced a fear of swimming. Data were collected from the participants while they were enrolled in a basic aquatic course and again while they were enrolled in the intermediate aquatic course. The data sources included self-reflective journals, a series of semi-structured face-to-face interviews and e-mail correspondence. The data were analyzed using a constant comparative method. Four significant themes were present: (a) drowning prevention lessons; (b) self-guided learning; (c) independent versus dependent learners; and (d) overcoming racial stereotypes. Based on the pre-service teachers¡¯ interpretations of their aquatic experiences, we suggest physical education teacher education programmes should create learning experiences within aquatic courses that not only enhance future physical education teachers¡¯ pedagogical content knowledge, but that also increase their awareness of culturally relevant pedagogy and social justice issues that may be faced when entering the physical education profession %K African American %K aquatic research %K social justice and diversity %K physical education %K pre-service teachers %U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1356336X18774760