Is it better to swim wild and free or pay to use a venue?

Venues make outdoor swimming more accessible, inclusive and sustainable, says Simon Griffiths

Last month, I visited Lake 32 in the Cotswold Water Park. If I lived closer, I’d be sorely tempted to become a member. The water is clean and clear. The location is scenic and tranquil. They have hot showers, heated changing rooms, a café and a vibrant community. There’s a water safety team to take care of you should something go wrong.

This set up – or something like it – is replicated around the UK. Open water venues are at the heart of outdoor swimming. From places originally used primarily by wetsuited triathletes in serious training, they have evolved to year-round swimming locations catering to everyone from casual dippers to marathon swimmers – and triathletes are still welcome, of course.

The troubled Thames

On the other hand, I have the River Thames on my doorstep. This has two massive advantages – it’s free and I can walk there in under a minute – but also several disadvantages.

Our primary concern is pollution. Even though we know the water quality can be good, it varies widely. We’ve swum here for years and reports of river-related illnesses among our group are few and far between – but the worry hangs over you. If you accidentally gulp anything down, you have a few anxious days hoping you don’t get ill. I know people who have given up river swimming because of pollution concerns.

Thames swimming is higher risk for other reasons, too. We share the water with rowers, kayakers, barges and pleasure boats. We don’t have any roped-off safe area. There are no reassuring lifeguards. The river can carry a lot of debris too – such as planks of wood that float almost unseen at surface level. And at times, the current is far stronger than we can swim against. Even getting in and out can be tricky. We don’t have steps or a gently sloping beach.

Privilege and duty

Still, I’m loyal to ‘my’ stretch of the river. For me, the rough edges are part of the charm. I don’t mind changing outside (except when it’s raining). I don’t need a sauna (although it would be nice). The other river users, now that we’ve got to know them, are generally friendly and look out for us. We get amazing sunrises in the winter.

I feel privileged to have such a beautiful place to swim – and I also feel a duty to continue swimming here to make the point that people use our rivers and that they should be cleaner. In fact, I’m part of a group that’s applied for bathing water status here with the hope that will lead to action to improve the water quality.

Not for everyone

While I love the freedom of the Thames, I know not everyone would want to swim here however much I promote it! I appreciate that the comfort, safety, and community venues offer makes them a no-brainer choice for many swimmers. They make outdoor swimming more accessible, inclusive, and sustainable. They are fantastic places for stress-free swimming, developing your swimming skills or training without the risk of being run over by a boat.

The good thing is, you don’t actually need to choose one or the other. I know people who will take a head-up dip in the Thames to enjoy a sunrise and head to a venue for a head-down training swim. Pick your swim spot according to the swimming experience you want to have. Then, whether you swim wild and free, prefer the security of a venue, or enjoy both, remember to celebrate what makes your swim spot special and protect it.