Sea of change

Rowan Clarke hears from the city lido connecting young people with the water

There’s a contradiction between cities and water. On the one hand, our cities are built around life-supporting water sources and characterised by their rivers and seas, on the other, we fear, avoid and cut ourselves off from those waterways.

Cities, even coastal cities, are full of people who lack water skills. This doesn’t just diminish their enjoyment of where they live, it’s also a matter of public safety. Step in organisations like Plymouth’s Community Youth Team. Funded by the Youth Investment Fund, it offers a range of free activities along Plymouth’s iconic waterfront to connect young people from across the city with the ocean.

Mind the swim gap

Last year, a piece of research by EasyJet holidays revealed that one in five adults can’t swim, while one third don’t feel confident in the water. Of those who are parents, 14% said that their children aren’t learning to swim, with 15% citing high costs and 13% believing it is too risky or dangerous.

And yet, these survey respondents admitted that their lack of water confidence negatively affected their enjoyment of their holidays. So, imagine what it’s like for people living in seaside cities where the water could bring huge health and wellness benefits, and understanding it could save their lives. “Living in a coastal city, surrounded by ocean, rivers and lakes offers incredible lifestyle benefits, but it also carries risks that can change in an instant,” says Sam Towers, Swim Manager at Plymouth’s Tinside Lido. “Tides, currents, weather conditions need to be understood. Having the right knowledge, such as, how to spot a rip tide, or knowing the ‘float to live’ technique, is just as important as learning how to swim – in fact, the two should go hand in hand from the foundation stages of Learn to Swim.”

Supported by the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park, the Community Youth Team runs a weekly swim night at Tinside Lido, as well as fishing, paddleboarding, rock pooling, and SEND-specific sessions in the summer, and in the winter, a weekly youth club based at Tinside Lido, which includes digital activities, DJ workshops, photography and boxing.

Knowing the ocean

Set in the UK’s first National Marine Park, Tinside is an extraordinarily beautiful Art Deco Lido that first opened in October 1935. Like a lot of outdoor pools, it was neglected, and in 1992, it closed. Following a local campaign, it got Grade II Listed Building status and a £3.4 million renovation, reopening in 2005. In 2025, Tinside underwent a further major refurbishment supported by National Lottery funding as part of wider investment connected to Plymouth Sound National Marine Park. The project restored historic features of the lido, improved accessibility and visitor facilities, and strengthened its role as a gateway to the National Marine Park, helping connect people with Plymouth’s unique marine environment and coastal heritage.

Funding for the Plymouth Sound National Marine Park also supports Swim Safe, which offers young people the opportunity to experience cold water swimming at different depths and re-enact scenarios in a safe, controlled environment. They can also look out to Plymouth Sound and witness the power and changeability of the ocean, swells and tides, shipping lanes and buoys, and learn about the dangers of tombstoning and not being visible in the water.

“Holding Swim Safe at Tinside Lido is really important because it’s such a popular spot in the summer and it’s close to the city centre,” says Swim Safe teacher, Jordan. “It’s also a safe environment for swimmers who are not used to cold water as there’s added protection in a controlled environment with a lifeguard. It’s a great setting for building confidence towards swimming in the sea.”

Beyond the water

Essentially, the project makes water safety accessible to those who might not otherwise have access to swimming and water safety education by removing financial barriers to participation. But organisers have found that benefits go well beyond water safety.

“Being in and around the water also supports mental health and overall wellbeing,” explains Youth Support Worker, Lottie Hawkins. “The setting also gives young people direct access to youth workers, helping build positive relationships and encouraging them to engage in wider activities and services we offer – it creates a safe, structured environment where young people can socialise, feel supported, and spend time in a healthy and positive way.”

Schools remain the most democratic and effective way to reach the community, so, as the programme enters its second year, there are plans to take the Swim Safe message into all primary and secondary schools in the area.

“I’m really excited about growing the scheme and reaching even more young people across Plymouth,” says Jordan. “It will be great to get more children involved, as well as adults, and help spread those important water safety skills even further in the community.”

And there lies the key to transforming our relationship with swimming in the city – education. Not banning swimming, not trying to stop young people from enjoying the water, but helping them make the right choices to enjoy it safely in a way that enhancing their health, wellbeing, and sense of place.

“The water-based sessions are all about helping young people develop a sense of belonging and ownership, so Tinside feels like a space for them, not just somewhere for visitors or holidaymakers,” explains Lottie. “Supporting them to feel proud of where they live, and giving them positive opportunities on their doorstep, makes this work truly meaningful.”