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Chew Valley Lake ‘splash mobbed’ by wild swimmers
A group of wild swimmers have “splash mobbed” Chew Valley Lake to protest limits on open swimming.
Protestors descended on the lake on Sunday morning with placards, tow floats and even a mobile sauna.
The group, who are self-described “wild swimming anarchists”, object to the ban on wild swimming in the lake and call for lake owners Bristol Water to make it a normalised and accessible activity.
Their actions are in line with the manifesto of the Outdoor Swimming Society (OSS), which calls for a protection of the “natural right to swim”: free access to nature including legally “enshrined access to water”.
The group have no leader but are supported and facilitated by OSS founder Kate Rew and Johnny Palmer, founder of Swim Bristol Harbour and owner of Warleigh Weir.
Palmer has previously led a successful campaign to allow for wild swimming in Bristol’s docks.
Protesting wild swimmers held placards reading ‘we have the right to swim’ – photo: Johnny Palmer
Bristol Water maintains that swimming in Chew Valley Lake is dangerous and unauthorised swimming is a criminal offence.
Protesters counter that the community and economic benefits outweigh any possible dangers.
Palmer said: “The physical and mental health benefits of cold water and wild swimming are immense… they bring people together, improve health and in some cases have saved lives.
“In a time when our government is apparently unable to give people community and health resources it makes complete sense to me that we use what we already have. Lakes are an ideal and free public amenity.”
Rew added: “There are 2000 reservoirs across England and Wales: what a waste to not swim them! Many are near towns and cities: swimming should be available to yours.”
Main photo: Johnny Palmer
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