River and lake swimming

_ WILD SWIMMERS MESSAGE BOARD

Wed Feb 1 10:50:46 UTC 2012 [442]
Name: David Gallico
Email: dg.lordofmordor@gmail.com
Subject: Swimming in Canals.
Hi, Theo. With regard to swimming in canals, as I understand it, the legal position in England and Wales
is that swimming in canals is generally frowned upon: indeed, British Waterways, who are responsible
for the majority of canals in this country, and whose jurisdiction extends to Wales, actually have a
bylaw forbidding this activity. North of the border the issue is less clear, as the Scottish parliament
have removed most restrictions on open water swimming, although whether this applies to canals, I do
not know. Others, with a greater understanding of the law than I have will, hopefully be able to clarify
this point. In the meantime, I wish you every success with your swim.
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Tue Jan 31 17:44:49 UTC 2012 [441]
Name: Theo
Email: scottytj@live.co.uk
Subject: Swimming the Caledonian Canal
Hi there, just planning a summer jaunt and was wondering about the legality of swimming the length of
the Caledonian Canal? I have seen a couple of news papers articles dating around 2000 that say it was
actually illegal, but also found some information relating to the 2003 scottish land reform act suggesting
that (given the stated conditions of responsibility etc.) it is possible. Not fussed about 'swimming
every inch' so happy to get out and walk around the locks at a reasonable distance. Also, are there
any swimmers with suggestions born of experience about safety, towing equipment etc. (as towing whilst
swimming is planned for equipment). Group of 3. Cheers, Theo
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Mon Jan 23 11:52:12 UTC 2012 [440]
Name: David Gallico
Email: dg.lordofmordor@gmail.com
Subject:
Swimming, in particular open water swimming, was discussed on the B.B.C Radio 4 programme 'Excess Baggage'
on Saturday 14th January.
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Wed Jan 11 2012 19:39:33 GMT+0000 (GMT Standard Time) [439]
Name: Rob Fryer
Email: wildswim@talk21.com
Subject: Farleigh & District Swimming Club
Hi, Details of opening times and how to join the Club are now given on www.wild-swimming.com
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Sun Jan 08 2012 23:13:58 GMT+0000 (GMT Standard Time) [438]
Name: gill o halloran
Email: greenday26@hotmail.co.uk
Subject: winter swim
hi - trying to reach Rob Fryer. Rob , we've been wild swimming since last March. Swimming through our
first winter at Tooting Lido and love it! We're looking to do another swim this March. Can we swim at
Farleigh at this time of year? Happy to pay membership. Thank you, Gill & Angela.
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Fri Dec 30 08:56:24 UTC 2011 [437]
Name: Chris Ayriss
Email: crayriss@btinternet.com
Subject: Swimming History
The 2012 London Olympics will mark 100 years since Frank Sachs published his informative book: The Complete
Swimmer. Through this eLook, Listen and Swimf project, I hope to portray just how dramatically things
have changed for swimmers during the last century. I feel sure that youfll find looking through the
list of swimming and bathing places recommended 100 years ago by the A.S.A, and reproduced in Frank Sachs
book, both fascinating and revealing. One thing that stands out is the number of open water swimming
venues available to swimmers back then. The last hundred years has seen attitudes to swimming outdoors
change remarkably. Indoor pools have been built country wide, youthful swimmers contained, and their
behaviour moderated. Swimming has been transformed from an animated outdoor playful activity, mostly
enjoyed by working class boys, into a very competitive sport, confined predominantly to man-made pools.
The British seaside holiday, the lido era and two world wars have all played a part in our rich swimming
history. But swimming survives as the number one participation sport in the U.K. More recently, in
recognition of the health benefits of exercise, the government proposed to steer the nation away from
obesity, and to guide us back into the water as swimmers. Starting with the over 60Œs and extending
to school children in 2009, the government had hoped that free swimming would become part of the texture
and pattern of everyday life for the English by the time of the 2012 London Olympics. Sadly the financial
crisis has overshadowed such hopes and free swimming has been consigned to the nationfs ewild swimmersf,
whether in river, lake or sea. I appeal to you: please get involved in this eLook, Listen and Swimf
project, and help me to celebrate 100 years of swimming! Look back in time to discover where you would
have swum if you had lived 100 years ago. Find your nearest historic swimming hole by using the links
to the A.S.A list. Take a look, take photographs or video and send them in to chrisayriss@hotmail.co.uk
for inclusion on the page. Listen! Ask elderly friends, relatives and neighbors what they can remember
about the swimming venues they frequented. Please send in copies of old photographs, real life stories,
and upload videos so that they can be linked to this page (record them on YouTube and email the location).
If it is safe to do so, get into the water and Swim your way into history! Make 2012 a year to remember
as you 'LOOK, LISTEN and SWIM'. http://hungouttodry.co.uk/page10.htm
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Mon Dec 19 2011 14:00:10 GMT+0100 (W. Europe Standard Time) [436]
Name: Martine Westerlund
Email: martine.westerlund@westerlunds.com
Subject: First Swedish Winter Swimming championships 4 and 5 February 2012
Welcome to the First Swedish Winter Swimming championships 4 and 5 February 2012, the first Swedish
championship in winter swimming will take place in the Skellefte River in the middle of Skellefteå. Behind
the event is the Association for " The Happy Friends of Cold and Darkness ", which is connected to
the International Winter Swimming Association. Championship is also open to foreign swimmers who compete
in an international class. There will also be swimming relays consisting of 4 participants each swimming
25 meters a minimum of one of the team members must be a woman. http://www.vinterbad.se/
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Sat Dec 17 17:51:40 UTC 2011 [435]
Name: Mark Thompson
Email:
Subject: Wildswimming Pete and Fladford Mill
Pete sorry to hear you have not been well. Hope you are back in the swim soon. Dave I remember talking
to some people who swam at Fladford Mill. If you get a swim there let us know what it is like.
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Thu Dec 15 2011 13:49:38 GMT+0000 (GMT Standard Time) [434]
Name: Wildswimmer Pete
Email:
Subject: Stroke
Unfortunately I suffered a stroke in early November so I won't be able to do any winter swimming for
a while although I hope I'll be able make the end of the season. Meanwhile I'll have to bore myself
to death by paddling up and down my local indoor pool.
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Tue Dec 13 12:32:22 UTC 2011 [433]
Name: David Gallico
Email: dg.lordofmordor@gmail.com
Subject: Fladford Mill
Last week, Age U.K in Rugby organised a trip to Evesham, where we enjoyed Christmas Lunch aboard a narrowboat,
cruising along the river Avon. Whilst there, I noticed a number of 'no swimming' notices, so asked
the captain of the ship whether the river was used much for swimming elsewhere in the vicinity. He mentioned
Fladbury Mill, which was discussed by Roger Deakin in 'Waterlog'. I was pleased to hear that this
is still a popular spot, and wondered whether anyone on SwimClub has swuum there? I intend to visit
this area myself, next summer and also wonder whether I can persuade anyone to join me?
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Wed Nov 16 14:30:07 UTC 2011 [432]
Name: David Gallico
Email: dg.lordofmordor@gmail.com
Subject: Leicester/Northampton
Hi, Michael! I live in Rugby, where there is not really anything suitable for outdoor swimming: the
few possibilities are strictly forbidden by the local council. Consequently, I go to Olney, near Milton
keynes, where there there are very enjoyable swims to be had in the river Great Ouse, at a point which
used to be the town swimming pool --- the steps are still there. Olney is easy to get to by bus, there
is an hourly service (41) from Northampton. However, closer to home, there are swims to be had in the
Nene, between Kettering and Wellingborough, plus Leicester and the surrounding area, in the river Biam
and the river Soar. Brick, one of our regular contributors, can probably give you more information,
as he swims in the last two I mentioned. Finally, on the RALSA website, there is a list of suitable places
to swim for various areas of the country, including the midlands. Good luck, and don't hesitate to contact
me, if you need any further advice or information.
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