Wild swimming in Bristol’s Floating Harbor returns next month

Swimmers will once again be able to pay to take a dip in Bristol Harbor this summer. All Aboard Watersports, a water-based charity, has struck a deal with Bristol City Council to offer open water swimming at the floating harbour.

It means wild swimmers will be allowed to take a swim without breaking the law – but only if they book designated sessions in a specific part of the harbor where swimming will be “safely managed”. The move follows two pilot schemes last year following campaigning pressure to make better use of Bristol’s iconic waterway.

Swims will return on Saturday 15 June, taking place every Saturday and Sunday morning between 8am and 10am. The cost will continue to be £7.50 per person, which will cover the planning and running of the sessions, including the provision of water safety measures.

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Similar to last year’s swims, the designated course will start at Baltic Wharf, just off Cumberland Road, near the All Aboard’s Centre. Water quality will be tested weekly to ensure it meets bathing water standards.

Simon Chapman, chairman of trustees All Aboard said: “We are delighted to be adding swimming to the activities we offer on the water. Our participation in last year’s trials and our extensive activities on the water gives confidence that we can safely put on a great swimming event.

“Any surplus income will help fund our charitable purpose: breaking down barriers and making it possible for everyone in our community to participate in water sports.”

Luke Hoather, Operations Director of All Aboard Watersports, said: “Safety and fun are our priorities. This is a great opportunity for our community to swim in the Harbor in a safe and fun environment and experience the many benefits of open water swimming. We can only do this with the help and goodwill of the Open Water Swimming Community and we ask that they contact us if they would like to volunteer. “

If you would like to get involved and volunteer to help run swim sessions, email Jemma Corbett at [email protected]

John Smith, Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration at Bristol City Council, said: “It’s great news that open water swimming sessions will be back on Bristol Harbor this summer, following our highly successful trials last year, in which more than 650 swimmers took a bath. in Baltic Wharf. We are delighted to welcome back local charity All Aboard Watersports following their successful bid to secure the harbor swimming contract. We are confident they will bring their local knowledge and experience to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.

“Apart from these arrangements, which ensure professional safety supervision and direction, and without the prior consent of the Harbor Master, it remains unsafe and unregulated to swim in the Harbour, Cumberland Basin or other Bristol waterways. Maintaining a safe waterway for all harbor users is our priority and must not be compromised by behavior that ignores the potential dangers of trespassing on the city’s waterways.”

Details of booking a swim, what to bring, facilities available and staying safe in the water can be viewed on our website, www.allaboardwatersports.co.uk.