Responsible Swimming presentation to VSG

Outdoor Swimming Society members were invited as guests to the webinar of the Visitor Safety Group (landowner body), at the launch of its Open Water Swimming guidance 8 July 2021, and I was invited to speak about the Outdoor Swimmers Code and to chair a breakout room on landowners engaging with swimmers. This is the presentation I delivered.

The VSG Open Water Swimming guidance is introduced on their website, with the full document available to VSG members or subscribers. It is based on the Visitor Safety Group Guiding Principles, which are a basis for members to enable access and adventure on their land without unnecessary barriers that keep people as safe as is practical and appropriate.

Summary: The Outdoor Swimming Society has seen a rise in membership and swimmers. It provides information to new swimmers and visitors and promotes responsible swimming in return for access to places to swim. The Outdoor Swimmers Code https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/outdoor-swimmers-code/ outlines how swimmers can take responsibility for their own safety, consider others, respect the environment, and work with landowners to help with issues and to spread the message. There are many examples of swimmers working alongside local landowners to promote responsibility and safety, and in practical ways.