News / floating harbour
Open water swimming returning to the Floating Harbour
Swimmers will be able to return to the murky waters of the Floating Harbour as open water swimming sessions are in the diary during the weekends of the summer.
Watersports charity All Aboard Watersports has signed a contract with Bristol City Council agreeing to cover the planning and running of swimming sessions.
The deal comes after a long-running campaign from wild swimming activists and successful trials in spring last year in which swimmers took to the river overlooking the Cottage pub by Baltic Wharf for one-hour public swim slots.
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The council ran swim trials last year to determine whether it could provide a designated open water swimming area that is safe and financially sustainable in the long-term – photo: Mia Vines Booth
John Smith, executive director of growth and regeneration at Bristol City Council said: “It’s great news that open water swim sessions will resume in Bristol’s harbour this summer, following our hugely successful trial swims last year which saw over 650 swimmers take a dip in Baltic Wharf.
“We’re delighted to welcome back local charity, All Aboard Watersports, following their successful bid to secure the harbour swimming contract and have every confidence they will bring their local knowledge and experience to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.”
The open-water sessions will rely on volunteers, explained Luke Hoather – photo: All Aboard Water Sports
Luke Hoather, All Aboard Watersports operations director, added: “Safety and fun are our priorities.
“This is a great opportunity for our community to swim in the Harbour in a safe and fun environment as well as experience the many benefits of open-water swimming.
“We can only do this with the help and goodwill of the Open Water Swimming Community and we ask that they get in touch with us, if they wish to volunteer.”
This year’s sessions are set to return on June 15, taking place every Saturday and Sunday morning between 8am and 10am.
The cost to swim is £7.50 per person, covering costs for water safety measures, inckuding weekly water quality testing, and the continuation of sessions.
Details on booking a swim, what to bring, facilities available and staying safe in the water can be found at www.allaboardwatersports.co.uk
Main photo: All Aboard Watersports
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