Wild Swimming - News Room

Inspiration, Location, History, Safety, River, Lake, Lido and Sea

Jun 13, 2014

Stamford Meadows Bathing Place

Up and down the country, bathing places like this proved very popular, but you may wonder: why were they built and why have they closed? British culture is full of interesting eccentricity’s and there is no simple answer. In Hung Out to Dry Swimming and British Culture I attempt to explain some of the major influences that led us to the heyday of river, lake and sea bathing and then on to the prejudice shown towards outdoor bathers today. I have included an exert below: The S

Jun 11, 2014

Rutland Water Bathing Beach

For now, Rutland Water Bathing Beach is just a building site, and at first glance it might seem that little is going on. Set on a grassy bank, surrounded by woodland, this carefully chosen location at Sykes Lane is the result of years of consideration by Anglian Water Services. Robert Aspey, Inland Access Officer for the Outdoor Swimming Society has worked tirelessly advising and encouraging access for swimmers and this will be a giant leap forward for any water authority. No

Jun 6, 2014

Dipping into the Past – Brighton

This 1895 photograph of men and boys swimming at low tide adjacent to Palace Pier Brighton, reveals a stark contrast to the attitude of swimmers today. Firstly there are a large number of swimmers. They wear no wetsuits, in fact no costumes at all. Additionally cold water was the main attraction for outdoor swimmers back then, how different to swimmers today. A major concern on the part of the Environment Agency is that “waters can be very cold no matter how warm the weather

Jun 5, 2014

7 Cities Making Their Urban Rivers Swimmable Again

Gizmodo India reports: It’s almost time for another steamy, sweaty summer in the city-and nothing looks like it might cool you off more than that sparkling waterway winding through the center of your downtown. But can you really swim in it? In more and more cities, the answer is a refreshing yes. Your grandparents might remember taking a dip in the local stream back in the day, but thanks to decades of environmental ignorance, gallons of industrial sludge and sewage runoff ha

May 30, 2014

Environment Agency warning over swimming in rivers this summer

Attitudes are improving but still leaning towards the negative… Get Reading reports: Summer is (hopefully) coming – and warm weather brings the dangerous temptation to cool off in rivers, warns the Environment Agency (EA). With the school holidays approaching, the EA is reminding people not to take risks and make sure family and friends stay safe. River water can contain hazards, particularly in and around structures such as bridges, locks and flood channels. Unexpectedly col

May 29, 2014

Wild Swimming in La Caleta Tenerife

Its much too hot to just sit on the beach in Tenerife! The sea is always warm enough for swimming at any time of year and so everyone takes a dip to cool down and refresh themselves. La Caleta is on the very edge of the urbanised region centred arround Los Cristianos. Rocky outcrops of volcanic pumice make an interesting area to explore and there are a number of steps making it easy to reach the water. Only busy at the weekend or on national holidays, the area is a quiet retr

May 23, 2014

River Swimming – A way of Life in the Summer

Swimming in the River Cam In an article about Jack Overhill his summertime childhood experiences are an inspiration: “Jack was a dedicated swimmer, becoming the most celebrated river-swimmer in Cambridge. Having entered the water aged one he first swam when he was three and by the age of four was a clever diver. Paramount Sound News could not persuade the shy young Jack to talk when they filmed his prowess. He was later one of the self-styled New Town Water Rats who almost li

May 22, 2014

Praise for – Hung Out to Dry Swimming and British Culture

Malcolm Tozer Reviews: Hung Out to Dry: Swimming and British Culture, in the Spring Edition of Physical Education Matters. It was by chance that your reviewer came across this privately published social history of swimming and the evident enthusiasm of its author – devotee of outdoor bathing and self-taught historian – prompted the request for a copy. Chris Ayriss’s idiosyncratic approach is as refreshing as the waters he loves and the ebb and flow of his story matches that o

May 8, 2014

Swimming Pool in Lea Valley

Bathing in River Lea, pre swimming pool. Public demand for facilities for swimming and bathing On Friday 31 October 1930 in the British Legion Headquarters a public enquiry was held into the building of a swimming pool in Welwyn Garden City. Read more... #health #WaterSports #history #swimming #river #SwimmingandDiving #Openwaterswimming #wildswimming #Swimmingpool #CultureoftheUnitedKingdom #Recreation #OutdoorSwimmingSociety #BritishWaterways #BritishSwimming #TravelandTour

May 2, 2014

What Did We Do To Our Diving Boards?

When I was a child growing up in Leicester, scenes like this were commonplace at our beloved St Margret’s Swimming Baths. Here children line up to take a dive in a swimming pool in the southern German town of Denzlingen in the summer of 2012. Attitudes are very different abroad, but here in England we have decided that it’s just too dangerous to have all these swimmers on the one board. Popular though diving may have been in the UK, one at a time and only ONE has killed the j

May 1, 2014

The Old Bathing Place – Witney Oxfordshire

The Old Bathing Place Witney The Oxford Mail Reports on the restoration of the site: “…as we stood there looking out over the river from the site of the original changing cubicles, the views were almost indistinguishable from photographs taken in the early years of the 20th century.” During the restoration a number of original features were discovered, including steps leading into the river, a handrail for swimmers along the river wall, fixings for the spring board and a tall

Apr 25, 2014

River Swimming Race – Tiverton 1949

Tiverton River Swimming Race 1949 A new summer display in the entrance of the Exe Valley Leisure Centre includes some lovely vintage swimming costumes and this fantastic photo of a race in 1949. Discover the rich history of British Swimming… #WaterSports #history #swimming #river #SwimmingandDiving #Openwaterswimming #wildswimming #CultureoftheUnitedKingdom #Recreation #sport #OutdoorSwimmingSociety #BritishSwimming #TravelandTourism

Apr 24, 2014

A Refreshing Attitude Towards River Swimming

Much has recently been said about safe river swimming. Its easy to think that when it comes to safety standards the British kite-mark is and always should be the standard. But if we take a look at attitudes in Switzerland, we find that swimming freedom is experienced throughout the country. Visitors to Basel are encouraged to try a special leisure activity that brings exceptional enjoyment – a swim in the Rhine. It is often said that the Mediterranean seems very close to the

Apr 11, 2014

Open Air Bathing – Head Weir – Exeter

Outdoor Swimming was at one time encouraged as healthy and essential exercise. Well managed and incredibly popular bathing stations like this one in Exeter were built up and down the country. It hardly seems possible that not long after this photograph was taken our nation of outdoor swimmers found themselves chased out of open water, rounded up and confined to indoor swimming pools. River and lake swimming, once seen as so good for us, continues to be popular across Europe

Apr 10, 2014

River Swimming – Good or Bad?

The promise of summer is just around the corner. Did you enjoy happy summer days like this? If you did you probably still do when you get the chance, but in the UK we are facing resistance when it comes to river and lake swimming. No one wants a happy day to end in tragedy, but with good education – outdoor swimming can be fun. Lets all swim safe this summer! #health #WaterSports #history #Britain #swimming #river #SwimmingandDiving #Openwaterswimming #wildswimming #Swimmingp

Mar 27, 2014

Wild Swimming – Claverton Weir, near Bath

Wild Swimming – Claverton Weir, near Bath Siân Anna Lewis, writes in her blog: The Girl Outdoors – This is where I love to spend lazy summer weekends. On the outskirts of Bath, this lovely weir forms a long, meandering waterfall across the River Avon, in a big meadow full of friendly cows. It’s a long walk or a short cycle from Bath along the towpath, past brightly coloured canal boats – very Famous Five-y. Children can splish-splash merrily in the shallows, adults can take

Mar 20, 2014

Wild Swimming in Leicester

Spring is on the way and we are all looking forward to warm sunny days and refreshing swims in the countryside. Despite the swimming restrictions imposed at all the most popular swimming spots across the city of Leicester, you can still swim, and many people do, at a number of less public locations. ‘The Tree’ (bathing area) is perhaps most popular but there are many others, see map. The sunshine always brings swimmers down to the water but the popularity of wild swimming in

Mar 17, 2014

Wild Swimming in the Welsh Assembly

Dan Graham reports progress at the Welsh Assembly. Jocelyn Davies asked John Griffiths: Minister, during this lovely weather, wild swimming becomes popular in our lakes and waterfalls, despite the obvious dangers. What is your Government’s policy on wild swimming? John Griffiths responded: That is an interesting question for me as the Minister with the portfolio in which these responsibilities are brought together, because it links outdoor access and sport and physical activi

Mar 7, 2014

Swimming History – Felixstowe

Changing times saw a move away from the bathing machine to the bathing tent. Ironically nude bathing was deemed appropriate for boys but scandalous for girls. Discover the history of British bathing costume and watch some remarkable footage of British culture on the change! Simply click the images from BRITISH PATHE. #health #WaterSports #Sports #history #Britain #swimming #SwimmingandDiving #Openwaterswimming #wildswimming #CultureoftheUnitedKingdom #Recreation #Felixstowe #

Mar 6, 2014

Wild Swimming in Austin, Texas

Michael Barnes writes: “Whenever someone is considering a move to Austin, I warn them: ‘You’ll love it, but it’s hotter than Africa.’ Austinites generally find three ways to cool off during the six hottest months: 1) Travel 2) Stay indoors 3) Find water The most popular swimming location is said to be Barton Springs and with the hot summer last year and the chance that global warming may see temperatures rise (either because it’s really happening, or because you hate the ment