How you can get involved in projects about outdoor swimming
Come and do some training (all training sessions are free):
• have a go at open water swimming, learn how to swim safely and how to check out swim places
• learn life-saving skills
• train as an open water lifeguard and get a qualification (over 16s, in 2021)
• learn about oral history, research, storytelling or filmmaking, and find out about outdoor swimming in the past
• or take part in a small swim event and get some coaching
Would you like to do some volunteering? (Expenses paid)
• help with swim events and training
• find and tell stories about outdoor swimming – about how, where, when people have done it, fears, stories, what stops you doing it,
and how to deal with any risks and do it safely
Adults can get involved in most sessions, too.
Why get involved?
Swimming is popular and good for your health, and – according to the survey by Swim England, the Value of Swimming – though swimming indoors is great, swimming outdoors makes you especially happy! Outdoor swimming is getting more popular for adults and young people.
Many people are worried about us swimming in rivers and lakes, though. Parents, councils, landowners, and young people themselves – because many people have forgotten or never had the chance to do so, and because sometimes things are said that put us off swimming.
There can be risks in swimming outdoors, but we can do it safely with some simple advice. Young people are often more sensible than adults think, but might need more information. So we need to learn skills and share knowledge about ways to have fun while also being safe and looking after the wildlife and the places where we swim.
How to find out more and get involved
Read about the Healing Waters project in more detail
Read about the Tales from the River project in more detail.
See Facebook page: Bathing in the Brecks: Outdoor Swimming past, present & future
Read about the 24-project scheme the swimming projects are part of, The Brecks Fen Edge & Rivers Landscape Partnership Scheme, which is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. There will be opportunities to get involved in other projects, too.
Contact me to ask about the projects, to get updates, or to get involved.
You can also download this page as a document (Word .doc, 1 page)