Black people, many ethnic minorities, and groups who face prejudice and discrimination often feel or are made to feel unwelcome in the countryside or taking part in outdoor activities or in swimming (indoors and outdoors). This is an article by a white person wishing to be an ally. I have given quotes from and links to writings and other media from others more eloquent and who are speaking from their own experience and in more detail – see the Writings, stories, campaigns and groups, quotes with links, below.
Changes are planned for the river Lark between Barton Mills (cut-off channel junction) and just downstream of Mildenhall, under several of the BFER projects over the next few years. These will have implications for swimmers and other recreational users of the river, and there are opportunities to ensure that our views are heard and for swimmers to get involved with the river restoration and improvement (particularly local swimmers). (This post outlines what I have read or been told, with links where possible; I have no role in the plans.)
The Outdoor Swimming in Breckland Facebook group is now 750 members strong, and as we are now in autumn, going into winter, we asked members to tell us why they enjoy swimming in cold water and what they get out of it, and also to share any fears and tips. Here are their eloquent and powerful words and images.
In the last couple of years we have had a succession of media stories saying that no river is safe to swim in, in part because only three have been designated to be monitored under the bathing water directive (explained on OSS website). Is this true – are all our rivers dirty and unsafe for swimming? Are all the media reports and campaigns relevant and helpful for swimmers? I think not. Swimmers can get advice to make a pragmatic judgement about when the water is clean enough to swim. See this page on Bathing Water quality. See also Update at end of post. Written Oct 2020, with some updating. Continue reading Rivers not fit to swim in?→
The Outdoor Swimming in Breckland Facebook group has now reached an amazing 500 members, and is a wonderful swimming community for this area. To celebrate, we asked members to tell us why they swim and what they get out of it, and to share photos of their favourite swim places in Breckland. And here is what they said – beautiful evocations of the joy of swimming. Continue reading Why we swim in Breckland waters→
National safety organisations initiate a campaign week every June to prevent drowning. This year (2020) they are encouraging people to take personal responsibility to stay safe by water or when swimming. As swimmers we urge people to safely enjoy swimming and playing around water. These are fun and healthy activities that can be safe in most locations by following advice: Be a responsible swimmer, know how to float if you fall in, check the risks, look after children and teach them about safety. Continue reading Drowning prevention→
See more up-to-date Page on Landowner liability and swimmers. This note, Updated 5 June, is my understanding of the responsibility of landowners now for people who choose to swim in waters on their land, generally (very briefly), and in the current situation with Covid 19. I’ve included some advice to swimmers that landowners might choose to give out. It applies in England only. Continue reading To landowners on swimmers (England) 150520→
