Dirty Rivers

Undercover

Despite the apparent ease with which many moralise over the prospect of river bathing, a deaf ear is often turned to the fact that the water quality at well-run and maintained swimming pools is still far from clean. Many are indeed oblivious to the fact that in Britain, swimming pool water is often over-chlorinated because we British still view the swimming pool as a giant bath. We are not at all comfortable with nakedness and so we do not wash thoroughly before entering the pool, rather we enter with dirty bodies and pollute the water. Chlorine is then added to the mix of pollutants as a body-wash disinfectant. Research by Dr Alfred Barnard into the effects of chlorination on young swimmers (primary school children who swim once every one or two weeks), has led to some disturbing findings. Despite the fact that many authorities hail the indoor pool as the only safe place to swim, it is found that when chlorine reacts with organic matter several by-products are produced including nitrogen trichloride, a powerful irritant linked to the destruction of the cell barriers that protect the deep lungs. The damage may be comparable to the effects of tobacco on the lungs of regular smokers. Could it be that this accounts at least in part for the upsurge in the incidence of childhood asthma?

Even with the water heavily chlorinated, health hazards still present themselves. For example, Cryptosporidium causes a severe form of diarrhoea, which infected persons can pass on through the swimming pool. During the year 1999, one hundred and forty cases were reported, which were contracted at swimming baths, not to mention the countless numbers that went unreported. An article in The Mirror of November 16th 2000 highlighted the sorry state of our pools. When it is realised that such venues continue to treat users to verrucas, sore eyes, skin rashes, tooth erosion and ear infections, the un-chlorinated water of our rivers proves an appealing alternative. Chlorine may also have a temporary effect on male fertility. The skin absorbs water and it is found that prolonged and repeated exposure in chlorinated swimming baths may lower one's sperm count, a fact worth remembering if fertility becomes an issue!

Regarding the nation's outdoor pools, not all of our lidos have suffered the same fate as those mentioned here. In Penzance, the Jubilee Pool, which was closed for a time, has now re-opened, thanks to an injection of Lottery money, offering swimmers a unique experience. The large slide and the diving platform have now gone of course, but the sizeable triangular pool points out to sea with all the grandeur of an ocean liner. The white-painted help to intensify your suntan and there are many floats to entertain the children. In fine style, a fully functioning café provides that touch of refinement that so many lidos now lack. This pool has been fully refurbished and is a real credit to Cornwall. For any one interested in visiting the pool, chapter seven will reveal further delights for those looking for a little excitement nearby.

As we have seen, the popularity and perceived benefits of sunbathing led to the mass construction of lidos throughout the country. Swimming popularity rose to new heights as all began to enjoy cold-water bathing. As more and more people came to bathe, lifeguards became a feature of these establishments and the public's perception of safety in the swimming environment began to change. The Industrial Revolution transformed the sanitary arrangement of our cities, and as a result, polio came to blight the lives of many youngsters until artificial immunity could be achieved. Meanwhile the rumoured link between water and polio interrupted the enjoyment of swimming for months on end and cast doubt on the cleanliness of natural waters. Ultimately, the British came to see river bathing as dangerous and un-healthful. Natural swimming activities were restricted inland, and unlike the rest of Europe these restrictions are increasing year by year.

Having considered the many factors that have affected the swimmer:

·        the influence of the Romans 

·        the role of religion 

·        fears regarding witchcraft 

·        the advice of doctors

·        concerns over morals

·        the seaside fashion

·        the influence of Captain Webb 

·        the effect of the silver screen

·        the rise and fall of sunbathing popularity

·        the opening and closing of the Lido 

·        the development of British prudery

- let us now look at how all of these influences have impacted on the sport, by turning our attention to the inland city of Leicester. What has happened here has been reflected throughout the country and helps us to better understand the plight of swimmers today. In Leicester as elsewhere, swimmers are barred from open water. Yet, as if the official reason for this has been forgotten (pollution) and despite the fact that water quality in much of its open water is higher than in many swimming pools, the river remains out of bounds to swimmers. In the next chapter you will discover just why this paradox exists and why the swimmer has been 'hung out to dry.' More...

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Reviews

"It is now as rare to see children swimming in canals and rivers and lakes as it is to find salmon in the Thames - yet once the country's open waters teemed with young people splashing about, especially during the school holidays. The passing of those carefree days is much mourned by Chris Ayriss in Hung Out to Dry: Swimming and British Culture. He puts most of the blame on prudery, but the swamping health and safety culture and the obsession of authority to dictate and control also have a lot to do with it"   This England Winter 2010 p73

Contents

From Pride to Prejudice

Cleanliness Versus Godliness

Sex, Sea and Swimming Trunks

Sunny Days, Dark Shadows

Lidos Open, Rivers Close

Leicester, Swim City

The Last Stand