It’s been over a year since we first saw wild swimming trialled at Bristol’s Floating Harbour. Illegal under a council bylaw, campaigners had long sought to freely swim in the Baltic Wharf. These £7-an-hour swimming sessions looked to have been a successful compromise.
Bristol City Council recently signed a contract with water sports charity, All Aboard, to offer ‘Open Water Swimming’ in the Harbour. It means local wild swimmers can now safely and legally take a dip in Bristol’s iconic waters during designated times. The cost will stay the same too, which covers the costs of running sessions and ensuring water safety measures.
The first session took place on Saturday, June 15 in the Floating Harbour, but will continue every Saturday and Sunday, from 8am to 10am. It follows a similar design to last year’s pilot scheme – with an access ramp in front of The Cottage pub, near All Aboard’s sports centre, which provides a safe space to enter and exit the water. This will continue until mid-October, apart from during Bristol Harbour Festival.
On top of this, the water quality is being tested weekly to ensure it meets bathing water standards – according to Swim Bristol Harbour, regular tests for E-Coli prove the water quality is “so good that often it’s registered at the ‘excellent’.” Although it isn’t an official site, the only designated bathing water site in Bristol is Henleaze Lake.
“We are delighted to add swimming to the activities we deliver on the water,” said Simon Chapman, All Aboard Chair of Trustees. “Our participation in the trials last year and our extensive water-based activities provide confidence that we can safely deliver a great swim event. Any surplus income will help fund our charitable aim: breaking down barriers and making it possible for everyone in our community to participate in watersports.”
To learn more head to All Aboard’s website here.