The Rivers Trust’s interactive Sewage Map has helped us understand where and when sewage is being released in England in Wales for the past six years. Now, Scottish near-real-time data is live.

In December last year, the Rivers Trust made a big step forward by adding near-real-time sewage alerts for all water companies in England. Where the data is available, you can now also see live sewage discharge information from Scottish water companies.

This data helps us better understand what is entering the water right now, and it also enables the Rivers Trust to hold polluters accountable.

Additionally, amber points on the map now show discharges from the last 48 hours, rather than just the last 24 hours. This is important to help you make more informed decisions before heading to the river.

We’ll keep pushing for better data and greater transparency, so everyone can understand what’s really happening in their local rivers.

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Are you blind or visually impaired and love the water? Or maybe you’d like to be more involved in outdoor swimming, but haven’t always felt welcome or included?

PhD researcher Sadie Rockliffe is inviting blind and visually impaired adults (18+, UK-based) to take part in a collaborative project exploring how people connect with blue spaces like the sea, lakes and rivers. Whether you swim regularly, occasionally, or just enjoy being near the water – Sadie would love to hear from you.

The project offers relaxed, informal opportunities to share your experiences, through conversation by the water, on a walk, or even during a swim-along interview if you’re up for it! It’s all about listening to lived experience and co-creating a better understanding of access, sensory connection, and inclusion in outdoor swimming.

Recent coverage of the research has included BBC Breakfast, BBC Sport, ITV Meridian, and RNIB Connect Radio, following a swim session at Sea Lanes Brighton (the UK’s National Open Water Swimming Centre) earlier this month.

For more information visit AccessibleWaters.co.uk get in touch directly: s.rockliffe1@uni.brighton.ac.uk

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Gerrard Gosens, a blind adventurer, Paralympian, Everest climber, and Order of Australia Medal recipient, is attempting to swim both the 20 Bridges Manhattan Island circumnavigation and the English Channel within a single month

Internationally acclaimed blind athlete and adventurer Gerrard Gosens is set to make history with an unprecedented open water swimming world record attempt: completyng both the 20 Bridges Swim around Manhattan Island and the English Channel crossing within a single calendar month.

Blind since birth, Gerrard has never let vision loss define his limits. A three-time Paralympian, Everest climber, and Order of Australia Medal recipient, he now sets his sights on two iconic open water challenges — back-to-back.

“This isn’t just about breaking records,” Gerrard says. “It’s about breaking perceptions of what’s possible—whether you’re blind, disabled, or facing your own mountain to climb.”

The Australian athlete declares his journey is not just personal — it’s a message to the world about inclusion, determination and resilience. Alongside his world record bid, he is also raising awareness and funds for organizations supporting accessibility and opportunity for people living with disability.

“Every stroke I take in these swims is for those who’ve been told ‘you can’t.’ I want to be living proof that you absolutely can.”

Gerard’s Double Challenge in July

20 Bridges Swim (48.5 km) – A circumnavigation of Manhattan Island through three rivers, with strong currents and varying conditions. Attempt date: 11 July 2025

English Channel (33.8 km) – This notorious crossing presents cold waters, heavy traffic, unpredictable tides, and changeable weather. Attempt window: 24-30 July 2025

You can follow Gerrard’s progress and preparation via his official channels and real-time tracking during both swims at gerrardgosens.com.au and on Instagram

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Last month the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame held its annual induction on Jersey – one of the world’s great channel crossing hubs

Last month Jersey hosted the International Swimming Hall of Fame (IMSHOF), inviting nearly 100 of the world’s most accomplished swimmers, coaches, pilots, and organisers for a celebration of open water swimming.

The awards ceremony takes place in a different location each year when athletes gather to receive their honours, attend a conference and take part in a swimming race.

Swim coach Sally Minty-Gravett MBE hosted the event. A Jersey resident, Sally herself was inducted into the International Marathon Swimming Hall of Fame in 2006, in a ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

“This was the biggest thing for long-distance swimming in Jersey we have ever organised,” said Sally. “It was huge – and I am so very proud to have been able to showcase our beautiful island at its very best.”

Always time for a race

Fifty swimmers attended the event and 36 of them took part in a swimming race from Green Island to Harve des Pas on the Saturday morning. American open water swimmer Grace van der Byl won the race and was later inducted into the Hall of Fame at the awards evening.

Among others inducted to the Hall of Fame this year were long-distance swimmers Simone Ercoli, Dina Levačić and Nora Toledano Cadena. Pilot Eddie Spelling and coach Jorge “Coco” Villegas Pérez were also recognized.

Executive Committee member Ned Denison reminded the open water community that IMSHOF nominations are open year-round. “Anyone can nominate swimmer – coach, pilot, organizer,” he said. “Don’t worry if it’s only half-finished. We’ll help. Final decisions are made by a diverse voting panel of 70 selectors across 28 countries.”

Reflecting on the event, Sally said, ““I’ve witnessed so many changes in long-distance swimming. But the passion, the connection, the commitment — it’s all still here. That’s what this weekend proved.”

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The Swimming Alliance has been working with parliamentarians to highlight the importance of school swimming and to raise awareness of the impact of pool closures. Following a debate in parliament on the topic, The Swimming Alliance shares their response

Outdoor Swimmer Magazine is part of The Swimming Alliance, a collaborative group of more than 25 leading national organisations united to address the urgent and systemic challenges facing swimming and aquatic participation across the UK. We advocate for equity, sustainability, and strategic investment in swimming as a life-saving skill, public health priority, and national development asset.

The Swimming Alliance has been working with parliamentarians to highlight the importance of school swimming and to raise awareness of the impact of pool closures. Following a debate in parliament on the topic, the Swimming Alliance released the statement below:

The Swimming Alliance has welcomed yesterday’s Westminster Hall debate on government support for swimming facilities, recognising it as an important step in addressing the urgent challenges facing the UK’s aquatic infrastructure.

The debate, held on 4 June 2025, highlighted the critical role swimming pools play in public health, education, and community wellbeing. MPs from across the political spectrum acknowledged the alarming decline in swimming provision, with over 1,200 pools having closed since 2010 and nearly a quarter of local authorities now lacking the pool space they need.

Concerning new analysis reveals that 76% of the publicly accessible water space lost in the past 15 years has disappeared since 2020, highlighting the escalating crisis facing the sector.

Debbie Kaye, Chair of the Swimming Alliance, said: “We are encouraged by the recognition in Parliament yesterday of the essential role swimming pools play in our society. From teaching children life-saving skills to supporting NHS rehabilitation services, swimming pools are not a luxury—they are a necessity for the health and wellbeing of the nation.”

The Swimming Alliance contacted MPs ahead of the debate to repeat the Alliance’s call for investment in leisure infrastructure. With two-thirds of facilities beyond their expected lifespan and operating costs continuing to rise, the current model is unsustainable. Without urgent action, more communities will lose access to swimming, exacerbating health inequalities and undermining national efforts to promote physical activity.

Whether it is promoting economic growth by reducing the burden of ill health, offering opportunities for children to learn a vital life skill or providing a space for families to enjoy quality time together it is clear that swimming pools make a huge contribution to the health and happiness of the country. This is reflected in the fact that swimming remains one of the most popular activities – enjoyed by 12.5 million adults each year.

During the debate the Minister for Sport Stephanie Peacock MP said: “Across the country, there is a direct correlation between increased activity levels and the number of accessible facilities that are safe, inclusive and affordable on offer. We must therefore ensure that these spaces are both present and accessible as a key part of getting people active and thereby tackling health inequalities. Whether through team sports, gym classes or children’s swimming lessons, these spaces can create a sense of pride in place and improved community cohesion.

“We appreciate the huge contribution that publicly accessible sport and leisure facilities make to health and wellbeing. My Department will continue to look at ways to support such thinking, as we look ahead to future policy around community sport and leisure facilities and their contribution towards genuinely tackling inactivity and inequalities. I am hugely passionate about that agenda, and I know that being physically active and playing sport genuinely changes lives. Hon. Members have made really important contributions; we can see how much people care about this issue up and down the country from how well-attended the debate has been. I thank Members for taking part.”

Simon Griffiths, founder and publisher of Outdoor Swimmer Magazine, added: “While our focus is on outdoor swimming, we recognise the fundamental importance of school swimming and pool infrastructure. Too many young lives are lost to accidental drowning, and too few people are able to access the fitness and wellbeing benefits of outdoor swimming. It was therefore positive to hear the Minister recognise the crucial role swimming pools play in communities up and down the country. It’s now important that those words are backed up with practical support.”

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On 6 June, just ahead of World Ocean Day, Olympic gold medallist Rebecca Adlington and BAFTA-nominated actor James Norton will dive into the sea at Joss Bay, Kent, for the Talisker Wild Blue Swim Challenge – a 10-hour ocean relay in aid of the Blue Marine Foundation

On 6 June, Talisker will host The Wild Blue Swim Challenge at Joss Bay, Kent – an endurance swim challenge ahead of World Ocean Day (8th June).

Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington and acclaimed actor James Norton will take part, alongside other swimmers to raise funds for Blue Marine Foundation. This exciting event is set to raise awareness for the need to protect and preserve the ocean and marks the launch of Talisker The Wild Blue – a limited edition Single Malt Scotch Whisky, presented in a 100% recycled glass bottle.

The Wild Blue Swim Challenge is a bold 10-hour swim, beginning at 7am and concluding at 5pm. Swimmers will plunge into the cold waters of the English coast, backdropped by the dramatic cliffs and wild waves of Joss Bay. The Wild Blue Swim Challenge unites a passionate community of swimmers and ocean advocates to raise funds to support Talisker and Blue Marine’s mission to help restore coastal habitats.

Vital conservation work

This year, Talisker is supporting Blue Marine Foundation by donating £150 for every kilometre swum in total by all participants during The Wild Blue Swim Challenge. These funds will go directly into vital projects that support healthy marine ecosystems, amplifying the impact of this inspiring community-driven event. Swimmers like Rebecca and James and many others are united by a shared mission – to protect and preserve marine life, and with every stroke are helping to fund essential conservation work.

As part of Talisker’s broader commitment to ocean sustainability, £3 is donated to Blue Marine Foundation for each bottle of The Wild Blue that has been made, with a total contribution of £112,608 already pledged to support their vital work.

James Norton said, “Like everyone, I’m in awe of the ocean. It’s wild, powerful, and under threat. I’m proud to support Talisker and Blue Marine Foundation in this initiative to raise funds for projects that help to restore marine ecosystems and return wildlife to our coastlines. This is about protecting biodiversity and reconnecting with the natural world before it’s too late.”

Rebecca Adlington said, “I’m thrilled to take part in the Wild Blue Swim Challenge at such a stunning location as Joss Bay and to be joined by so many swimmers united for a cause that truly matters is amazing. I’m proud to support Talisker’s bold commitment to ocean conservation – this is more than a challenge; it’s a call to action.”

Sign up for the relay

The Talisker Wild Blue whisky is now available for purchase at select retailers, including The Whisky Exchange, The Whisky Shop, Master of Malt, Whisky World, and Malts.com, at an RRP of £82. Each bottle of Talisker The Wild Blue that has been made contributes £3 to the Blue Marine Foundation. Through this limited-edition release and the Wild Blue Swim Challenge, Talisker invites its community of ocean advocates and outdoor enthusiasts to join the mission – every bottle helps protect and restore our marine ecosystems.

Follow Talisker on Instagram and use the hashtag #WildBlueSwim for updates and information on how you can join the movement to protect our oceans. If you would like to join in a wild swim in nature to help raise money, a limited number of spots are available to join the relay. Sign up to register your interest at Malts.com

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A new swimming lake in Staffordshire joins the NOWCA network and Mental Health Swims heads to Parliament. Stay up to date with our outdoor swimming community news for June 2025

NOWCA: More water in Staffordshire!

Words by Anna and Mick Brookes

We’re so excited to have officially opened our lake for swimming! Field Head Farm is a family run dairy farm tucked away in the stunning Staffordshire Moorlands, right by the Peak District. For years we’ve been welcoming people for glamping weekends, paddleboarding, and kayaking – and now we’re sharing our lake with open water swimmers.

Opening the lake has been a dream of ours, and teaming up with NOWCA has not only made the process easy, but a reality. From the start, they’ve been incredibly supportive, and it’s felt like being part of a really special family.

We’ve created a safe, calm swim loop (200m with walk-in entry), and every session is lifeguarded – because safety is our priority. We’ll be starting small but can’t wait to grow our community and we’re already planning for some full moon swims.

After your swim, you’ll find free parking, changing rooms, a cosy log-burner hangout, and of course, good coffee (Nespresso, naturally). If you’re feeling a bit peckish, we offer locally sourced snacks – the brownies, in particular, are incredible!

We can’t wait to welcome you – come for the swim, stay for the views (and the brownies!).

Download the NOWCA Wild app and follow the FIELD HEAD FARM group for more news and updates.

Mental Health Swims: Marking Mental Health Awareness Week

On 12 May, Mental Health Swims had the pleasure of hosting an event in Parliament to kick off Mental Health Awareness week. This year’s theme was ‘community’ so it was the perfect time to celebrate the work we do to create safe and welcoming swim communities for people experiencing mental health issues.

We had amazing speakers: Hayley Jarvis from Mind, Dr Hussain Al-Zubaidi, Helen Marney from Swim England, Torsten Bell MP and our very own managing director, Rachel Ashe MBE.

We also showed a film that we’ve been working on over the last few months with the wonderful Film Maker, Joby Newson. The film features some of our community members from across the UK sharing their lived experience of mental health and how the Mental Health Swims community has helped them. You can view the film on our ‘Mental Health Swims’ YouTube channel.

Thank you to everyone who attended our event and took part in the film. If you feel inspired to get involved, you can support us in a number of different ways. You can:

• Introduce us to people who can help us grow our community
• Share our video on LinkedIn, Instagram or your internal comms platforms
• Become a sponsor or corporate partner.

If you can help with any of the above, please email us at hello@mentalhealthswims.co.uk and we can set up a call – we’d love to hear from you.

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From litter picks to tree planting and wetland conservation to river-dipping, it’s nearly time for a weeklong celebration of London’s precious rivers

London Rivers Week, now in its ninth year, is back from Friday 30 May to Sunday 8 June – and this year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever.

London Rivers Week is a week-long annual campaign inspiring the public to celebrate all of London’s rivers and the many projects taking place to protect them. Most events are FREE and will include guided walks, talks and cultural events.

Here are our highlights from the upcoming programme:

• Webinar hosted by Professor Sir Dieter Helm on solutions to fix our broken water system – 30 May
• FREE wetland maintenance session in Memorial Park – 30 May
• River cleanup with mudlarker Nicola White – 31 May
• Chandos River Park Celebration – 31 May
• Paddle and Pick on the River Thames – 31 May
• Picnic and water sampling at Chinbrook Meadows – 31 May
• Morden Hall Park family craft and river dipping day – 1 June
• A guided walk along the Thames Estuary – 1 June

The theme this year will be access to nature and good quality blue and green spaces – ‘quality rivers for all’.

There is something for everybody – individuals, families and children. The main aim is to connect communities with their local rivers.

London Rivers Week is organised by the London River Week Steering Group on behalf  of River Partnerships in London (RiPL).

You can register for events at London Rivers Week 2025 here.

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Psychology researchers from the University of Derby are inviting open water swimmers who have experienced a challenging life event in the last two years to take part in a new study

Are you an open water swimmer who has experienced a challenging life event in the last two years?

Psychology researchers from the University of Derby are inviting outdoor swimmers to take part in new study that aims to understand how open water swimming can impact protective factors related to resilience, at a time when people experienced challenging or adverse life events.

Taking part involves an initial survey to ascertain eligibility. If eligible, you will be invited to interview, which may last between 30 minutes to 1 hour. The interview will take place online, will be planned at a time to suit the participant. Participation will remain confidential and anonymous and is completely voluntary.

The interview will cover questions such as during a challenging life event, how open water swimming made you feel about yourself, about your connection to others, about connection to a purpose, among others.

Click below to find out more and express your interest by 31 May, with all interviews expected to be completed by 30 June.

Lead photo by Nanette Mudry for Unsplash

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STA has launched a new open water testing programme in collaboration with the ‘Wild Woman of the Wye’ Angela Jones

The STA has launched a new online CPD: Open Water Testing in partnership with renowned open water swimmer and environmental advocate Angela Jones from Swim Wild Wye.

This CPD (Continuing Personal Development) has been created for those with an interest in open water swimming and aims to equip learners with the knowledge to identify potential environmental hazards, understand the importance of water testing, and interpret results to help promote safer outdoor swimming experiences.

Using Angela Jones’ expert guidance – drawn from years of hands-on experience and a deep commitment to environmental protection – this CPD offers invaluable insight into how swimmers can stay safe while respecting and preserving the open water environments they enjoy.

Make informed decisions for your swims

From recognising signs of pollution and understanding how to protect aquatic ecosystems, to learning how to test water quality and communicate findings effectively, Angela’s input ensures the course is comprehensive, relevant and practical.

Jodie Davis, STA’s Aquatics Qualification Development Officer, said: “It’s been fantastic to collaborate with Angela on this new CPD, which we’re launching today to coincide with the start of the main open water season. Our aim is to help swimmers understand the importance of knowing the quality of the water they’ll be swimming in. Ultimately, it’s about promoting safety, awareness and respect for the natural environment.”

Angela Jones said: “I’m really pleased to have worked with STA on this important CPD. Open water is a powerful, beautiful environment, but it comes with risks that swimmers need to understand. This course is a fantastic step forward in helping people connect more responsibly with nature by giving them the knowledge to recognise potential hazards and make informed decisions. It’s been a privilege to share my experience and contribute to something that promotes both safety and environmental awareness.”

The online programme, which is now live via STA Online, takes approximately two hours to complete. Upon successful completion, learners will receive 0.5 CPD points. Although the course does not expire, learners are encouraged to revisit the content regularly to keep their knowledge current and relevant.

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