Where to Swim

[happySwimmer]

I'd like to do open water, but where do you find places that you can swim? Most of the water I see seems to say "No Swimming". I don't know how to distinguish water that I shouldn't swim in because there is some real danger and water that someone from the nanny state thinks we should not swim in.

What about the legality of swimming in open water. How do I know if a river or lake or other body of water is private?

Is there anywhere where I could find details of outdoor places to swim? Has anyone written a book on the subject?

[broomhillsaved]

dear happy swimmer,
have just received e-mail from Yacov Lev, secretary of the river-swimming association; try logging on to website and see if your queries are answered!:)

RALSA River and Lake Swimming Association http://www.river-swimming.co.uk/

or e-mail yacovlev@hotmail.com

[Wildswimmer]

Is there anywhere where I could find details of outdoor places to swim? Has anyone written a book on the subject?

Yes, the Chairman of RALSA, Rob Fryer, has written a gazetteer of outdoor swimming holes called "Rob's Cool Places". This book is continually evolving as new locations are added. Contact Rob at wildswim@talk21.com

Unfortunately the Health and Safety Gestapo have got too much influence in England and Wales, ably abetted by powerful and wealthy angling interests who want everyone excluded from inland waters. However we swimmers stuffed one of the country's most prestigious (in their eyes) angling clubs over Hatchmere Lake in Cheshire. Take a look here:

www.hatchmere.com

It was the Hatchmere campaign that led to the birth of RALSA.

The British Canoe Union is fighting a campaign to open up rivers and lakes to all. The campaign website is:

http://www.riversaccess.org/

You have a right of access to the sea, together with tidal estuaries. In fact you can swim in any water that has statutory public navigation rights. Apparently in law, a swimmer is a "vessel" and is deemed to be "navigating". You can usually swim in any water that is registered as "Common Land". However great care is needed should you want to swim in estuaries. I've done it for years and am writing a web-page on the subject.

I swim in a river local to myself, the Weaver, which is fairly unique in having full public rights. Both its sailing club and local residents intend it to stay that way.

Of course, should you live in Scotland, you've got it made. Under Scottish law, the "Right to Roam" includes the "Right to Swim" in almost all Scotland's waters. I've actually swum in Loch Ness, and a magical experience it was too!

Wildswimmer Pete

[happySwimmer]

Thanks broomhillsaved and Wildswimmer Pete for the info. Plenty for me to go at there.

I swim in a river local to myself, the Weaver, which is fairly unique in having full public rights. Both its sailing club and local residents intend it to stay that way.
Wildswimmer - do you ever invite guests to swim with you or do you prefer to swim alone?

[Wildswimmer]

Wildswimmer - do you ever invite guests to swim with you or do you prefer to swim alone?

I'm not bothered either way, although I usually swim alone out of necessity 'cos there's no-one wants to come with me.

Wildswimmer Pete

[ChrisO]

Since you're interested Happyswimmer, there's a great book called Waterlogged by (Roger ?) Deakin.

He makes a tour of Britain swimming in rivers and lakes. It isn't really a guide book, but it's an entertaining read, and in parts a sad tale of pollution and a general inclination on the part of some people to stop other people doing things.