There’s a growing movement to make our cities more swimmable – but what will it cost us?

In June, our editor, Ella attended the Swimmable Cities Summit in Rotterdam. There’s a growing movement to make waterways safe and accessible in urban areas.

Overall, this must be a good thing – and you can read Ella’s full article in the July/August edition of Outdoor Swimmer magazine.

• Read on Outdoor Swimmer Extra (Outdoor Swimmer Extra subscription required)
• Read on Pocket Mags (free access with an Outdoor Swimmer print subscription)

But I have some concerns.

Take Paris, for example. Three sites have been created for open water swimming. This is fantastic to showcase the progress made in cleaning up the Seine but it’s hardly wild swimming. It’s time-restricted, lifeguarded and only open until the end of August.

Meanwhile, in London, swimming in the Thames downstream of Putney Bridge is not allowed at all. The Port of London Authority prohibits it due to safety concerns, despite growing interest in urban swimming.

What do we want?

This raises an important question: should we be pushing for something like Paris has (controlled, supervised access), or do we want the freedom to swim as and when we like, as we can already do upstream of Putney Bridge?

For example, the other day, I joined a group of swimmers at Richmond and swooshed down to Kew Bridge on a falling tide. It was fun, fast, wild and free. For experienced, sober swimmers, it was also low risk – but I admit that entering a fast-flowing river without a plan would be dangerous, especially for inexperienced swimmers.

So, do the steps Paris has taken pave the way for a broader acceptance of unrestricted swimming in the future? Or do they send a message that the only way to allow people into the water is to pen them into restricted, supervised areas?

This is not an unwarranted worry. An ambulance worker in Wiltshire recently launched a petition calling for a ban on unsupervised deep river swimming, citing safety concerns after several drownings.

I hope that the creation of safe urban swimming spots encourages more people into the water, increases the pressure to clean up our rivers, and creates momentum for a wider acceptance of unrestricted swimming. But I fear that the development of controlled urban swimming areas will lead to calls to restrict the type of wild and free swimming that many of us enjoy.

Which way do you think it will – or should – go? As ever, feel free to reply and let us know.

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They are much more than clutter and dust collectors

Last weekend I was hoping to swim at an event in Brighton. Unfortunately, it was cancelled due to the weather.

Finding myself with time on my hands, I decided to tidy my office, which is full of mementos from swimming events. I’ve got trophies, plaques, tankards, paperweights, medals and certificates. Mostly, they create clutter and gather dust.

Dusty trophies, clear memories

I briefly considered clearing space and throwing them away. But each one I picked up triggered a memory – that is, after all, what mementos are supposed to do. I ended up spending more time reminiscing than cleaning.

Some cast my mind back to the swims. I remembered how I’d struggled with rough conditions, aching muscles, the cold, and even overheating. It was good to reflect on how I’d found the will to continue and the lessons learned.

Others reminded me of the amazing people I’d swum with and the beautiful places I’ve been lucky enough to visit through swimming. I found myself holding a lump of glass and smiling about the memories it triggered.

More than just events

But it’s not just the events themselves I remembered. I thought about the planning and training that had gone into making certain swims possible, and about how events inspire me to train and see what’s possible. The mementoes are not just markers of events, they are symbols of lifestyle choices.

I also remember when I first started putting my mementoe on display. I wasn’t completely comfortable with it. Who was I trying to impress?

But it turns out, nobody needs to be impressed or even interested. These things are not on display for other people, but for me, and as a reminder of all the good things swimming has brought into my life.

If you’re new to swimming and taking part in your first events, make sure to collect your memento. If you’ve been swimming for a while and your event memorabilia is crammed into a cupboard, bring it out. Clear a shelf for it. Invest in a medal hanger. Or make one.

Yes, mostly they will collect dust. They probably look untidy. You may feel you’re being pretentious. But so what? Now and then, pick one up, and let the warm glow of memories wash over you. Because, in the end, it’s not just about the swim, it’s the story they tell.

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Simon Griffiths reflects on the joys and benefits of working in swimming

I love working in swimming. Publishing a swimming magazine has given me opportunities I never imagined when I started and connected me with many amazing people.

As the theme of this issue is work and careers in swimming, I decided to identify what makes it attractive.

The people

First on my list are the people involved. They are almost always passionate about swimming and understand its value. Whether they are teachers, administrators, managers or business leaders, they want to share this love of swimming. They are driven to break down barriers and build up skills so as many people as possible can swim. They encourage, inspire and support.

People working in swimming are often creative and entrepreneurial. They see ways that their skills and experience could be of value to other swimmers. Related to this, but expressed differently, many people who work in swimming are adventurous and do interesting and inspiring things, both inside and outside of swimming.

I also like that careers in swimming are open to a wide range of people. You don’t need to have been an elite swimmer as a teenager to make waves in the world of swimming as an adult. Passion, and a willingness to learn, is more relevant than your swimming pedigree.

The community

Still on the subject of people, working in swimming often means being part of vibrant communities. This might be a local club, a professional organisation, a social media forum or an international WhatsApp group of swimmers united around a particular cause or event. Each of these communities has a different vibe and purpose but are united by a shared passion for the water. Swimmers share strong friendship and professional bonds.

Health and wellbeing benefits

Many jobs in swimming unchain you from a desk and get you moving. Working around water may give you increased opportunities to swim yourself. Being immersed in an environment that promotes fitness, mental health and relaxation is good for your soul and a perk that few other jobs can offer.

Unsocial hours

A potential downside of a career in swimming is possibility you will find yourself working unsocial hours. Lifeguards, coaches, event organisers and venue managers are on duty when other people are out having fun. They may even work through the night at 24-hour events. But there’s huge satisfaction to be had from facilitating other people’s leisure activities – sometimes to the extent that it doesn’t feel like work.

Lifestyle

Working in swimming can be a lifestyle as much as a job. It gives you the opportunity to make a difference, connect with passionate people and immerse yourself in an atmosphere of learning and adventure.

Like any job or career, it has its challenges, but these are more than offset by the rewards. Whether you’re teaching the next generation of swimmers, creating inspirational events for the middle-aged or providing dementia-friendly swimming for those towards the end of their lives, you will make a lasting and meaningful impact. It’s a fulfilling and fun space to work in.

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This is personal – and I need your help.

My beloved swimming spot on the Thames is under threat. Thames Water’s proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) scheme will destroy it if it’s allowed to go ahead.

The plan involves removing up to 75 million litres of water per day from the river during droughts and replacing it with treated sewage effluent pumped from Mogden Sewage Treatment works. The scheme is intended to only remove water during times of water shortages, but the sewage effluent will be pumped year-round.

The local community knows the true value of this stretch of river. It’s not just me and the people I swim with. There’s a local Bluetits group with nearly 2000 members. Hundreds of rowers and paddlers use this stretch. Dog walkers frequently let their pets swim here.

It’s not just somewhere a few people happen to use, but a place of connection, health and joy. It supports the wellbeing and mental health of thousands of water users. As a local swimmer, I feel a strong sense of stewardship towards this stretch of the river and a duty to defend it.

The Statutory Consultation for the Scheme is open from 17 June until 26 August 2025. You can respond to Thames Water’s survey here. However, the form does not make it easy to register an objection.

I encourage you instead to email TDRA@ipsos.com or write via post (no stamp required) to FREEPOST TDRA CONSULTATION before the deadline.

Please see below the text of my letter. I invite you to copy or adapt any part of this and submit your own response to Thames Water.

In addition, please visit SOLAR, the website for the local campaign group, for more details on the project and how to support the campaign further.

Subject: Objection to the Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) Scheme

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to register my objection to Thames Water’s proposed Teddington Direct River Abstraction (TDRA) scheme.

While I understand the need to improve long-term drought resilience, this proposal is fundamentally flawed, both in principle and in impact. Most concerning is the plan to discharge treated sewage effluent into the River Thames at Teddington on a permanent, year-round basis, despite the abstraction scheme being used only occasionally, and solely during prolonged droughts.

This year-round discharge would occur at a location of immense community and recreational value. Just outside London, this is the first non-tidal spot on the Thames, used year-round by thousands of swimmers, paddlers and rowers.

It is not just any old river. It’s a beautiful, unique location that attracts water users from miles around and supports the physical and mental wellbeing for people of all ages. Regardless of how highly treated the recycled water may be, the introduction of a sewage outfall at this location would render it unappealing, and potentially unsafe, for continued recreational use. Thames Water has not explained how they will protect the river from bacterial or chemical contaminants contained in the treated sewage effluent. The scheme effectively sacrifices a cherished, accessible and beautiful part of the river for infrastructure that will be activated only sporadically.

Compounding this is the weak water supply argument underpinning the project. The TDRA would supply 75 million litres per day, yet Thames Water currently loses more than 600 million litres per day through leakage. That means the scheme would replace just 12.5% of the water lost daily, and only on a temporary, reactive basis. For a project estimated to cost over £300 million, this is a poor return on both environmental and economic grounds.

Incidentally, today, after a prolonged dry spell – the exact conditions in which the TDRA would be utilised – the current flow in this section of the Thames is only 2.8m3/s, equivalent to 242 million litres per day. The TDRA will remove more than 30% of this flow and replace it with sewage effluent. This is likely to adversely affect the ecosystem and water chemistry, and put added stress on wildlife and habitats already vulnerable in drought periods.

Investing in sustained leakage reduction would provide the same volume of water savings permanently, without damaging ecosystems, degrading public amenities, or undermining public trust.

I urge Thames Water to withdraw the TDRA scheme and redirect investment towards leakage reduction and less damaging alternatives.

By including my full name, address and postcode, I expect my objection to be formally registered and passed to the Planning Inspectorate.

Yours faithfully,
Simon Griffiths
[My address]

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Simon Griffiths laments the closure of Henley Swim and reminds swimmers why it’s important to keep taking part in events and raising your voice for our precious blue spaces

I’m writing this in the shadow of the news that Henley Swim, a provider of beautiful swimming events in the Thames, has stopped trading.

Outdoor Swimmer sponsored the Henley Swim Festival for the past 10 years. We helped create their ‘Suits vs Skins’ challenge and I’ve taken part in many of their swims, including the ‘Unlimited’, which involved trying to swim the mile as many times as I could in six hours, the 13km Thames Marathon and 4:30am Henley Classic. The loss of these events feels like the end of an era.

When we launched Outdoor Swimmer in 2011 (H2Open, back then) we thought of open water swimming events as the entry drug to the world of outdoor swimming. Events were how people discovered the joys of swimming in nature.

But outdoor swimming has changed massively since then. For example, commercial open water swimming lakes back then were dominated by triathletes in training. Now you will typically find more swimmers. These swimmers are now more likely to swim outdoors year-round instead of waiting for spring. Also, community swimming groups now feature much more prominently than in the past.

These changes have created new entry pathways to outdoor swimming and made the activity more welcoming to people who don’t find events appealing. These are positive changes for swimming. We know from Sport England data that outdoor swimming is growing. But fewer of these people seem to be doing events.

One reason for this is the growing concern about sewage pollution. Our Trends survey shows that the number of people saying worries about pollution often or frequently stops them swimming has doubled in the past five years. The Thames and Thames Water have been a particular focus for campaigners. It’s hard to find swimmers who don’t have some reservations about swimming in our most famous of rivers.

The irony is that we have more information about conditions in the Thames than ever, the water quality can be excellent, and we know what causes a deterioration and to avoid it after heavy rain.

The Henley Swim events played an important role in developing a vibrant swimming community around Henley-on- Thames and beyond. The outpouring of positive comments on social media about these events shows how well loved they were, and how many people discovered outdoor swimming and the beauty of the Thames because of them.

Could it be that Henley Swim is a victim of its own success? By inspiring so many people to swim in the Thames, it helped raise awareness of pollution. As concerns about water quality grew, fewer swimmers felt confident about participating in events, leading to the decline of the initiative that popularised swimming in the Thames in modern times.

Events offer so much more than the chance to race. They introduce you to places you don’t normally swim, allow you to tackle challenging distances with full safety support, and showcase the beauty and importance of our waterways. I love taking part in events and it’s painful to see them struggling.

We therefore urge you to both continue taking part in events and raising your voice for cleaner water. If we don’t use our waterways, the polluters will have less reason to clean them up, and we will have fewer opportunities to enjoy them. Henley Swim may be gone but it has left a powerful legacy. Don’t let that go to waste.

Choose your next swimming event with our handy guide

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As outdoor water temperatures rise, it’s tempting to swim further and stay in longer. Simon shares his recent experience that has reminded him how important it is to respect the water and listen to your body

As outdoor water temperatures rise, it’s tempting to swim further and stay in longer. A recent experience reminded me how important it is to respect the water, adjust for changing conditions, and listen to your body.

What happened?

Two weeks ago, I swam for 45 minutes in water that was 15.5°C. I felt a little chilly, shivered briefly after dressing, but then warmed up quickly. A week later, with the water at 16.5°C, I planned for a longer swim of an hour but started feeling cold after just 20 minutes. I cut the swim short at 30 minutes, but I was already shivering as I left the water, and it only got worse as I dressed. Even with layers, blankets and hot water bottles, it took much longer to feel warm again.

What made the difference?

• Cooler air and a stiff northern breeze. This meant I started getting cold before I even got in the water, and lost heat quicker from my arms and back while swimming due to wind chill.
• Cloudy skies and no direct sunlight. I don’t know how much difference having the warm sun on your back makes, but I missed it.
• I was coming down with a bug, which I suspect weakened my cold tolerance

Lesson learned

Water temperature is important, but it’s not the only factor in determining your safe swimming limits. Air temperature, wind, sun exposure, and your own health all play a role. If you find yourself getting colder faster than usual, adjust your swim accordingly, even if the water temperature suggests you could stay in longer.

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Simon Griffiths encourages you to widen your swimming repertoire!

The other day, I had to help carry a washing machine down a flight of stairs. It weighed around 50kg and, as the person at the bottom, I took most of the weight. But I managed just fine.

I know some people lug around heavy objects every day for work. Other people lift much more than this in the gym. But I mostly work at a desk and I’m not a regular gym user. I therefore wondered, would lifting a washing machine have been straightforward if I wasn’t a swimmer?

I recently went on a hiking holiday. The gentle strolls I did around Richmond Park were no preparation for the arduous, all-day mountain trails I encountered on my trip.

Nevertheless, I felt adequately prepared both physically and mentally thanks to swimming. Training for swimming gives you both the endurance and the resilience to keep going when things get tough.

Getting fitter and stronger just for doing something you love seems like a good deal to me. But could we do more to increase the benefits we get from swimming?

Just keep swimming

To some extent, the more you swim, the more you benefit. I’m lucky. I’ve been able to build my life around swimming and can swim a lot. As can many of the people we spoke to for this issue themed around ‘Swim Life’.

But even if you can’t swim as often as you like, you could possibly do more to widen the benefits you get from it. One way you might do this is to expand your swimming interests. Here’s how you might benefit from different types of swimming.

• Pool and sprint swimming for strength and power (all those wall push-offs also build leg strength).
• Long distance swimming for stamina, achieving a flow state and mental staying power.
• Cold water swimming for health, general wellbeing and mental fortitude.
• Summer wild swimming for mindfulness, gratitude and connection with nature.
• Any type of swimming for fun, social connections and an excuse to eat cake.

If you’re new to swimming or have only experienced one or two types of swimming, these other activities may seem daunting. But I encourage you to explore and embrace them all. Widen your swimming repertoire rather than doing more of what you already do. Being an all round swimmer extends the benefits you get from swimming (and makes it more fun). Swimming really is training for life.

Renaissance Swimmer (a shameless plug)

If you’re interested in exploring a wider range of swimming activities, please take a look at my Renaissance Swimmer project. It’s designed to help you develop your swimming in multiple directions and live your best life through swimming. Find out more at renaissanceswimmer.com

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Swimming in new places may expose you to new and unknown hazards, so take extra care, says Simon Griffiths

Being an outdoor swimmer increases your scope for great experiences and adventure when travelling. You can plunge into pools in mountain streams, swim across rivers or body surf ocean waves. But new places bring new risks.

Earlier this year, I went on a two-week hiking trip to Costa Rica. But, naturally, I had my swimming stuff with me and was looking out for swimming opportunities.

Shortly after arrival, I was on a narrow strip of land between the sea and a canal. I’d been travelling for 36 hours and would have loved a dip. But the locals told me there were sharks and dangerous currents in the ocean, and crocodiles in the canal.

Still, I was tempted. The sea was rough, but I’ve swum in similar conditions previously. The likelihood of a shark attack seemed low. There have been very few reported shark attacks in Costa Rica. Surely a quick dip wouldn’t hurt?

On the other hand, I was in a remote area. If I had got into difficulties, there was nobody to help. There may have been other factors I didn’t know about. For example, I once injured myself on hidden underwater rocks. I’m aware there are dangers you might not see.

I decided to take the locals’ advice and stay out of the water.

Later on my trip, I met the organiser of the Cruce Golfo Dulce, a 14km-swim across Costa Rica’s Golfo Dulce (or 28km for the two way), Joe Bernini. The Golfo Dulce is a large bay next to Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula, famous for humped back whales and dolphins.

Joe took us to Puerto Jiminez, the finishing point of the swim. The water was flat and warm, and safe for swimming. The views were spectacular. The beaches wide and deserted.

Unfortunately, Joe hasn’t been able to host a Cruce Golfo Dulce Swim event since the pandemic and I wasn’t able to make a crossing, but I enjoyed my swims along the beaches and got a taste of what the full swim might entail. It more than made up for the frustration of not being able to swim at the beginning of the trip. Sometimes when you travel you need to be patient. It’s better to stay safe and swim another day.

The theme of this issue is swimming around the world. I love how swimming enables connections with people across the planet and creates opportunities for fantastic swimming experiences. Nurture your swimming connections and embrace the opportunities they provide. And be open to sharing your local swimming spots with visitors – to them, your spot might seem as exotic as the Golfo Dulce does to me.

But remember swimming in new places may expose you to new and unknown hazards, so take extra care.

How to stay safe when travelling

• Do your research before you go. What should you look out for?
• Speak to locals, especially those who might know something about the water.
• Consider taking part in an organised event.
• Be extra cautious with your risk assessment.
• Be aware that if you get into difficulties, help may be further away than at home.
• If in doubt, stay out.

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Wild swimming is quietly rebellious, an act of advocacy for public rights to natural spaces, says Simon Griffiths

I started Outdoor Swimmer magazine because I wanted to share my love of swimming and all the health and wellbeing benefits that come from it. There was nothing political about it.

But politics has a way of finding you, even if you don’t seek it out. Over the years, I’ve been invited to speak with Members of Parliament about issues linked to swimming, I’ve taken part in demonstrations, I’ve campaigned for cleaner water, I’ve sat on various committees, and I’ve been interviewed on television.

These are clear political activities, but when we decided to theme this issue around swimming politics, it struck me that swimming itself is a political activity.

Political statement

Every time you deliberately enter a body of water, you make a statement about your desire and right to do so. Wild swimming is quietly rebellious. You may, at times, swim in places where it’s forbidden or your rights of access are unclear. The more you do it, the more you establish it as a normal, safe, and reasonable thing to do. It’s a direct challenge to restrictive access laws and an act of advocacy for public rights to natural spaces.

When you swim, you claim not only your right to be there, but also demonstrate that you expect those responsible to ensure the water is clean and safe to enter. Unfortunately, swimming may bring you face-to-face with pollution and environmental degradation. Your swimming highlights the need for environmental protection and conservation. It’s a form of protest against pollution and a call for , cleaner, healthier ecosystems.

Even if you just swim for your personal pleasure and to support your own physical and mental health, it’s still a political act. Your swimming demonstrates the value of investment in natural resources.

Community power

Moreover, open water swimming fosters a sense of community among swimmers. As we’ve often seen, community can be a powerful political force. Being part of the swimming community helps us appreciate that we’re not isolated in our concerns and boosts our confidence to tackle them. The collective voice of swimmers can influence policy and bring about change.

Finally, outdoor swimming has a long history and cultural value. By taking part, you help preserve and promote these cultural practices and make a statement about the importance of cultural heritage and identity. This in turn places pressure on those in power to value and protect them.

While I frequently use these pages to encourage you to engage in traditional political activities to support outdoor swimming, I know not everyone is willing or has the time to do that. But swimming itself is political. There are lots of good reasons to swim more often and in more places. The fact that your swimming may lead to political change is maybe one you hadn’t considered before, but it is.

Keep on swimming!

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Simon Griffiths looks at why pools are in peril and what the consequences might be

In November last year, Ella and I attended a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Swimming. Three facts jumped out at me, two positive and one less so.

First, there are parliamentarians from both houses who are supportive of swimming, both in pools and outdoors. Second, swimming is loved and seen as important by a wide range of groups and individuals from around the country. Third, swimming has struggled in recent years and faces a range of future challenges.

Swim England report that since 2009, we’ve had a net loss of 482 pools. The majority of those losses have happened since 2020 due to the Covid pandemic and energy crisis putting pool operators under increased financial strain. These cost pressures look set to continue, with further pool closures almost inevitable.

Pool closures have real-world and possibly life-and-death consequences. One impact is that it makes it harder for schools to provide swimming lessons and help children learn basic water safety and self-rescue skills. In December, Swim England reported that “only 70% of year 7 pupils (age 11-12) can swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of at least 25m.” This is a drop from 77% the previous year and is linked to pool closures during the pandemic. The figures for younger children have improved since last year but are still behind pre-pandemic levels.

Ashley Jones, Water Safety and Drowning Prevention manager at Swim England, points out that these averages hide huge discrepancies. Children from the poorest families are around half as likely to be able to swim as those from wealthier ones.

Meanwhile, data from the National Child Mortality Database paints a depressing picture of year-on-year increases in deaths of children and young people due to drowning, from 20 in 2019/20 to 41 in 2022/23. In younger children (under five), most of these deaths occurred at home in the bath or other residential water. But of the eight drowning deaths in older children (15-17), seven were in natural inland waters. While we can’t say for certain that pool closures results in more open water drowning deaths, the pattern is certainly suspicious.

Chief Fire Officer Dawn Whittaker, who was Chair of the National Water Safety Forum until the end of 2024, says the loss of pool space and decline in swimming skills combined with growing numbers of people heading to open water to cool off in hot weather is a “ticking timebomb”.

In an article published in Emergency Services Times, Dawn calls for a funded national water safety strategy with a minister made responsible. She points out that Scotland, Wales and Ireland already have this, but not England.

More generally, Swim England’s Value of Swimming report says that swimming generated more than £2.4 billion of social value in 2022 through improved life satisfaction, better physical and mental health and even reduced crime.

While the enthusiasm for swimming among MPs is positive, there’s a lot that needs doing to secure a sustainable future for the activity. As ever, let your elected representatives know that swimming is something you care about and will vote for. Do what you can to keep pools open – swim in your local pool more often and spend money in their café, for example, or join the committee of your local lido. Encourage more people learn to swim and make beginners welcome in your groups. Finally, sign up to the newsletter from the National Water Safety Forum to stay informed and possibly discover other ways to make a difference.

Sign up to the newsletter from the National Water Safety Forum at nationalwatersafety.org.uk/news

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