Gateway to the Sea

Improving access to sea swimming for people with sight loss

A new initiative in Brighton is aiming to make open water swimming more accessible to blind and partially sighted people, addressing long-standing barriers to participation.

Gateway to the Sea, taking place on 27 June at Sea Lanes Brighton, has been designed as a supported introduction to sea swimming. Led by the University of Brighton in partnership with British Blind Sport and SwimTrek, the project focuses on building confidence through guided swims, tailored coaching and shared learning in a safe, welcoming environment.

Access to open water swimming remains uneven due to a range of factors, including disability. For the UK’s two million people living with sight loss, concerns around navigation, safety and a lack of appropriate support can make open water feel out of reach. Gateway to the Sea will directly target these challenges, offering a structured day that combines pool-based preparation with a guided sea swim supported by experienced coaches, lifeguards and one-to-one swim guides.

The initiative builds on research by University of Brighton PhD student Sadie Rockliffe, who has been studying how blind and partially sighted people engage with “blue spaces”. Her work highlights both the physical and psychological barriers swimmers can face, as well as the importance of community, familiarity and confidence-building opportunities.

Participants at the event will move between the Sea Lanes pool and the sea itself, developing skills and comfort in stages. Organisers hope the format will provide a template that can be replicated elsewhere, extending opportunities for inclusive swimming beyond a single event.

A key element of the day is its emphasis on connection. Alongside time in the water, participants will have opportunities to reflect, share experiences and build networks that could support ongoing involvement in open water swimming. The long-term ambition is not simply to offer a one-off experience, but to create sustained pathways into the sport.

The initiative is supported by Paralympic champion and English Channel swimmer Melanie Barratt, who will attend the event as a speaker and swim alongside participants. Barratt, who was the first blind woman to swim the English Channel, will share her experience of discovering open water swimming and the impact it has had on her confidence and wellbeing. Her involvement highlights both the possibilities of the sport and the importance of creating inclusive routes into it.

British Blind Sport has helped shape the event through its “Have a Go Days” programme, while SwimTrek is providing the technical expertise, coaching and safety support needed to deliver the sea sessions. Outdoor equipment brand Red is also backing the project.

By bringing together research, coaching expertise and lived experience, Gateway to the Sea aims to demonstrate how open water swimming can be made more inclusive. Organisers hope it will spark wider change across the sector, ensuring that more people with sight loss can experience the freedom and wellbeing benefits of swimming outdoors.

For more details and to sign up, visit: https://britishblindsport.org.uk/events/2026/06/gatewaytothesea

Featured image: Melanie Barratt during her English Channel swim