News / Swim Bristol Harbour
Swimming to return to Bristol harbour
People will be able to (legally) take a dip in the harbour when open water swimming sessions return in April.
The confirmation from mayor Marvin Rees that Bristol City Council has given the go-ahead for regular bathing sessions for two years follows a lengthy campaign and two successful pilots in the spring and autumn last year.
Campaigner and founder of Swim Bristol Harbour Johnny Palmer is one of a number of protesters who took to the water in the harbour prior to the pilot in a bid to get the ban lifted and highlight the benefits of wild swimming.
is needed now More than ever
Welcoming the news that legal swimming will return this spring, he said: “It’s been a bumpy road but we got there in the end”.
Palmer has confirmed Swim Bristol Harbour will be submitting a proposal to Bristol City Council to be in the running to operate the swimming sessions.
Last year, the council partnered with All-Aboard Water Sports, Open Minds Active and Swim Bristol Harbour to run sessions in the spring and autumn, which saw some 1,200 swimmers take to the water.
The two trials allowed people to swim during restricted times on weekends in a cordoned off area by the Cottage Inn in Baltic Wharf for a fee of £7.50 each. Water quality in the harbour was regularly tested to ensure it met bathing water standards.
Speaking on Monday, Palmer said: “It’s been three to four years since our campaign set up Swim Bristol Harbour and now, finally, the council are fully on board.
“I’m delighted to hear that the council is issuing an RFP – a request for proposals – for people to operate the swimming.
“We are going to set up a meeting soon – see what talents out there and what people can contribute so that we, the people of Bristol, can run the swimming in our harbour the way that we want and keep that money in the city.”
He added: “It’s been a bumpy road but we got there in the end.”
Kim Graves, of Swim Bristol Harbour, added: “We are very excited about the future of swimming in Bristol. We’ve had incredible support from the local community and keen swimmers, and the response to the trials has been overwhelming. There will be fantastic benefits to this being a permanent feature at the harbourside and we’re glad that the council has been able to see how great this will be for the city.”
A spokesperson for Bristol City Council said: “We know that many people in Bristol want the opportunity to enjoy open water swimming safely. During the spring and early autumn of last year, the council worked with partners to provide a safe designated space in Baltic Wharf for very popular early morning weekend swim sessions. These safe harbour swimming sessions set to return in April, as we work to deliver regular swimming sessions in the city’s harbour for the next two years.
“Without professional safety supervision and direction there remain a number of significant risks associated with entering Bristol’s waterways, including at Conham.”
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
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