Dear fellow swimmers,
Last weekend I took the Outdoor Swimmer stand to Swim Serpentine. Truth be known, I’ve been a little despondent about the prospects for outdoor swimming recently. I know potential swimmers have been put off by the sewage scandal and swimming-related activities have been squeezed by the cost of living crisis. Swim Serpentine renewed my optimism. Something like 6,500 swimmers turned up to enjoy a wonderful day in the sunshine, swimming in this iconic central London location. The joy, energy
and enthusiasm of all those swimmers was infectious.
I was reminded that, despite the challenges of pollution and rising costs, outdoor swimming has become a vital source of health, fitness and wellbeing for thousands of people as well as a force for
change.
Then, on Monday, I was at the Houses of Parliament for the launch of Swim England’s Value of Swimming
report, which puts into figures what we swimmers already know in our hearts – swimming (including outdoor swimming) created £2.4 billion of social value in England in 2022. So the message is, keep on swimming. It’s good for you and it’s good for society.
In this week’s Dip, we hear from Andy Donaldson, the first person to complete the Oceans Seven in under a year, about how swimming helped him re-find direction in his life. Also, we share advice for preparing for winter swimming, and remind you that it's the first ever Big River Watch this weekend. Will you be taking part?
