The London Waterkeeper campaign 'A Thames Fit To Swim In' wants thousands of people in London to be able to use the non-tidal Thames from Hampton Court to Teddington with confidence, whether they swim, kayak or row. Last year I was in Copenhagen to find out how they made their harbours swimmable and how in Aarhus they are working to make its river swimmable too. They have also done this in Munich.

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​We can make the non-tidal Thames fit to swim in. This is in terms of water quality, safety, access and balancing the interests of different users. If we could create swim zones in west London, and have the river become a Designated Bathing Water, thousands more people would be able to enjoy outdoor swimming. For this to happen we need to know when sewage works discharge to the rivers in the area, have water quality monitoring and establish new partnerships between swimmers, rowers, kayakers etc. 

In 2012 the organisation Human Race saw 338 of the 1,000 people swimming from Hampton Court to Kingston get ill. Sadly it has now decided to no longer hold the event.

London Waterkeeper is part of the international federation called Waterkeeper Alliance. It defends the right to clean water and uses advocacy to work for swimmable, fishable and drinkable waters worldwide.


Theo Thomas 
London Waterkeeper

http://londonwaterkeeper.org.uk/a-thames-fit-to-swim-in

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PORT ELIOT FESTIVAL

Last year a small team from KLPA were invited with Daniel Start (of the Wild Swim books) to lead wild swims at Port Eliot Festival. This year the festival is inviting us back and is taking place 29th to the 31st July.  Anyone interested in participating should get in touch with Mary Holroyd  (contact below) 

What you have to do is to help organise and take part in an estuary swim of about a mile. This year there will be one  each day.  Each time some people from our team have to lead the swim and encourage participants while others take the swimmers' clothes to the  finishing point.   You may be able to  opt for only the second task if  there are enough volunteers keen to swim.  What you are offered in return is  a festival ticket which provides a place to camp (but not a tent)  and allows entry to all festival events.    You have to pay your own costs to get there, your food and if you don't bring your own tent you would have to pay extra for a tent or other accommodation.  Port Eliot is near Plymouth and easy to reach by train with a station near the festival ground.  Once the team is decided those on it will have to commit firmly to going. 

Mary Holroyd is co-ordinating the team this year.   Places are limited so if you are interested contact her soon.  

marschenkova@gmail.com or text me on 07952957360 with an email address please.