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Campaigners want to see swimming allowed in Bristol’s Floating Harbour
On the morning of what was to become the hottest day of the year so far, a group of swimmers walked down some stone steps into the Cumberland Basin to go for a dip in the docks.
Despite swimming not being allowed in the Floating Harbour, regular tests carried out by Bristol City Council show that the water quality does sometimes reach ‘excellent’ standard.
Campaigners now want swimming to be permanently permitted as it is within some cities in Europe that like Bristol have also transformed their own historic docks into places for recreation.
is needed now More than ever
Warleigh Weir owner Johnny Palmer was among the swimmers on Monday morning, saying that the docks are “an incredible body of water in the middle of our city”.
Palmer said: “It makes total sense for us to start the conversation about this becoming an accessible amenity for the people of Bristol to use for physical health, mental health and to increase social capital.”
Palmer added: “Wild swimming has been increasing in popularity for years, but since lockdown it has exploded in popularity.
“People also want to connect with nature in an era when we are in an ecological emergency and wild swimming is the perfect way of doing this.”
The most recent monthly tests show that the Cumberland Basin has 134 counts of E.Coli per 100ml – with the lowest of 20 at the SS Great Britain and the highest of 4,000 at Prince Street bridge.
On Monday morning, the swimmers were told to exit the water by the Harbour Master once he was made aware of what they were doing.
The city council name the health risks from contact with Bristol’s open water as including stomach, ear, nose and throat infections, but Palmer said that “getting to Cumberland Basin was vastly more dangerous than the swim itself”.
The Cumberland Basin is the location of the open water swim leg of the Bristol Triathlon, which this year takes place on October 3.
Swimmers climbed into the Cumberland Basin via steps – photo: Johnny Palmer
“I get it, the Harbour Master and other bureaucracies don’t want swimming in the water of our city,” said Palmer.
“Many of their concerns are valid as there have been deaths and other serious incidents in the harbour. With the right education, messaging and culture we can reduce these risks though.
“Indeed, swimming the harbour can actually make it a safer place overall. Simple things like regular simple training, having a designated area for swimming and zero alcohol can make it so much safer.”
Main photo: Johnny Palmer
Read more: 14 historic photos of the Floating Harbour
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