‘Education not prohibition should be the answer to wild swimming’

There’s a sign in Conham River Park warning of the dangers of entering the water.

Someone has doctored it to extol the healing benefits of nature and argue that people deserve access to the river.

I would argue both versions are correct.

There’s no denying that any kind of open water swimming is inherently dangerous; there are hidden hazards beneath the surface, currents that can take even experienced swimmers by surprise, the risk of the body going into shock from the cold and potential harm from boats and other vessels. In addition, there’s the risk from pollution, with water companies currently regularly letting raw spillage overflow into rivers.

Riding a bike around Bristol is also inherently dangerous yet there are few who would suggest the best policy is to ban people from cycling on public roads. Instead, we do what we can to mitigate the risks.

I wear a helmet and visible clothes, I know and stick to the Highway Code, I ride on cycle paths where possible and lobby for better infrastructure to improve safety. There’s still a risk every time I get on my bike but I do it anyway because it’s good for my physical and mental health, better for the environment than driving and it’s the easiest, quickest and cheapest way for me to get around Bristol.

There’s a reason so many take to open waters across the globe despite the dangers. Those who swim regularly extol the physical and mental health benefits of wild swimming and being surrounded by nature. It’s also free.

The stretch of river near Beeses has long been a popular spot for swimmers  – photo: Conham River Bathing Water group

A group of swimmers and residents are campaigning for Bristol City Council to change a 2009 bye-law that prohibits swimming on the stretch of the River Avon from the harbourside to Hanham Lock.

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Read more: Council blocks hopes of securing ‘special bathing water status’ for Bristol beauty spot

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They want to apply for the popular beauty spot in Conham River Park near Beeses to be granted special designated bathing status but are currently unable to because of the bye-law banning swimming.

If granted, the special status would dictate that the Environment Agency would monitor sewage pollution in this stretch of the river and be responsible for implementing improvement measures if the water is found to be of persistently poor quality.

It could also be a step in the right direction to improving safety for people swimming in the area with the potential for better education, life aids, better access into the water and more.

Because a ban isn’t working. As members of the Conham River Bathing Water group argue, they are not trying to establish a new swimming spot but help one that is already popular with swimmers get recognition.

People swim in this stretch of river on a regular basis. If it was permitted, there would be an opportunity to provide education around tides and safety, encourage swimmers only to go out in groups and put emergency measures in place for if people do get into difficulty. The current signs don’t have buoyancy aids or even emergency contact advice so are of little help to those who have entered the water.

What’s more, there are no signs preventing people from entering the water on canoes and paddle boards. Activities such as these also carry great risk and there is a frightening lack of education around safety.

It’s time we started educating people from an early age about the dangers of rivers and seas and equipping them with the knowledge and infrastructure to help improve safety.

Avon Fire & Rescue Service is very clear that people should be discouraged from entering the water near Beeses, saying it “poses a significant threat to those that enter the water”.

Bristol City Council has also repeated such warnings, saying that because of the existing bye-law, it is “unable to support the application for bathing water status at this time, which would encourage prohibited activity and carry significant risk from boats on the waterways”.

At this stage, all we can do is heed those warnings but I’d argue there’s a better way that could benefit people and the environment.

Last month, chief medical officer for England professor Chris Whitty, chair of water regulation agency Ofwat, Jonson Cox, and Environment Agency chair Emma Howard Boyd wrote a joint article highlighting the “public health issue” of sewage pollution in Britain’s waterways.

Their written warning went on to say: “Use of our rivers for recreation and exercise is something to celebrate and encourage. Children have always played in waterways and always will, irrespective of what notices are put up next to them.

“People of all ages use freshwater waterways such as rivers for recreation including swimming and various forms of boating. During lockdown, many people took to swimming in rivers and have continued since. Our rivers, seas and waterways should therefore be free from sewage to reduce risk to the public.”

I appreciate that as long as the bye-law is in place, Bristol City Council is unable to support the application for designated bathing water status at Conham River Park.

That’s why I join more than 2,500 people in supporting the petition calling for the bye-law to be changed.

Swimming in rivers isn’t safe – but it could be safer than it currently is. With increasing numbers recognising the benefits of wild water swimming and taking to our rivers and seas, I would argue that education, not prohibition is the answer.

Ellie Pipe is the Deputy Editor of Bristol24/7 and loves wild swimming 

Main photo: Ellie Pipe

Read more: Surge of support for campaign to tackle sewage pollution in River Avon 

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