Swimmers often have to trespass when they swim because there are so many places swimming is not allowed inland that otherwise they wouldn’t get many swims! So here are some things to consider to be safe, responsible and have fun when swimming somewhere you are not ‘allowed’, with some ideas and resources on calling for the Right to Swim.
Do it 28 April and join others all across the country! Or do it any time and share #RightToSwim
Report on the latest lovely swim at Bawsey 17 March and an examination of the different approaches taken by landowners in similar public lakes in Norfolk and what that means for swimming and water safety.
Love for swimming, for Bawsey, why we come here to swim and why you can too
On Monday 12 February we met for a swim at Brickyard Lake to enjoy the glorious sunshine, to show our love for swimming, and to call for the Right to Swim for all who would also like to be able to swim here and in other inland lakes and waters. This post shows how people love swimming, and love swimming at Bawsey, and it answers concerns that might make swimmers nervous to come here.
We have rights to access the countryside on highways, public rights of way, and open access land. But in reality these rights are limited. Open access land is not always open, and you’re not allowed to swim and do other things there even if you can get to it. We explored three areas this weekend and found several different limits to our right to enjoy the countryside. I’ve outlined these here followed by some more detail on the legislation, its limitations, and possibilities for the future.
Swimmers met on Saturday 13 January for a walk and to enjoy a lovely morning dip in the chilly waters and to call for a Right to Swim in inland waters including Bawsey Lakes. As experienced swimmers they know that this can be done safely at any time of year with knowledge. This post also looks at issues for landowners, including liability, impact on staff and community if something goes wrong, and strategies on the best way to prevent harm, with some useful resources.
Water temperatures in lakes in England and Wales vary throughout the year, with weather conditions, with the size of the water body, and how it fills up with water, and at different levels in a large water body. In summer the upper level of water in lakes – the level where people swim – warms up noticeably, often well over 20°. This post dispels the inaccurate information about temperatures sometimes put out by authorities, and outlines the concerns about safety as a result of them doing so.
On a rather gloomy day, 10 December 2023, a small group of swimmers met to have a walk and a cold water dip and to call for a Right to Swim in Bawsey Lakes at any time of year. This post answers some questions about winter dipping and give some tips. Although some think that swimming in winter is a rather odd habit, we know that there are many benefits, and that it can be done safely with a little knowledge.
The second late summer heatwave swim cycle was an all day trip in the company of three other ‘wonderful wild women’ – a fun filled day of sun, cycling and swims in the west of Norwich.
A late September heatwave was forecast, so as it seemed impossible to contemplate spending it stuck indoors on a computer then regretting that all winter, I decided to do swim cycles every day while it lasted. This is the first trip, a solo impulse outing along delightful lanes to the lovely river Nar at Castle Acre.
On Sunday 19 November a varied group of outdoor swimmers and dippers gathered together to have a swim at the Brickyard Lake. We did this to show it can be done safely and to call for a Right to Swim to create an environment where outdoor swimming is seen as normal so that people can learn about doing it safely. The park warden attended to monitor and had a chat with our spokesperson, and a reporter from the local press attended and talked to several of us. The weather was not bad at all, water chilly at 8.9° with a bit of a breeze – what we would expect at this time of year – and 18 people got into the water, with 8 on the shore.
