Outdoor Swimming
Research Forum

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Inspiring talks, collaboration, incredible location, spending time with old friends and new, smiles, laughter, and taking to the water with the who’s who of outdoor swimming research! From multistakeholder engagement, mental health, physical health, inclusion and access to creative ways of expressing, exploring and collaborating through art, poetry and conversation.

Carolynne ScarlesBrunel University

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It was a privilege to be part of such an incredible forum and share insights on breaking down the barriers that prevent access to wild swimming for so many. We are committed to promoting the right for everybody to embrace the outdoors, regardless of background, ability, or circumstance. Let’s continue the conversation and push for a world where wild swimming is a space for all.

Maggy BlagroveOpen Minds Active CIC

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It’s been a real pleasure to hear from so many wonderful researchers and organisations on a range of subjects, all united by a focus on how to maximise the benefits of blue spaces for as many years people as possible. Thanks so much for the invitation to the forum, really appreciated the chance to meet and interact with so many brilliant researchers and like-minded people!

Damian StevensonBlack Swimming Association

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It’s 3am and I am absolutely BUZZING after day one of the outdoor swimming conference. Honestly there is such a sparkle in the atmosphere and openness of researchers here – I guess if you strip off and swim with others there’s a tenderness and vulnerability that’s unique from other research.

Eva McGrathUniversity of Plymouth

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What today has shown me is that some research may seem small or irrelevant but when brought together in a forum like this it shows the massive importance of all of it. Put together we have seen a really good picture of how swimming influences our lives and how we influence swimming. We are lucky to give people skills, knowledge and confidence in the water which will last a lifetime.

Heather MeekSouth Lakes Swimming

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Forward-looking conversations about outdoor swimming through the lenses of People, Place and Policy, and an endorphin-boosting social swim in between. It felt important to have lidos, and those of us who can’t, won’t, or just plain don’t do cold water, represented in these conversations. Looking forward to building on the many great connections made.

Deborah AydonFuture Lidos

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Thank you for organising a really insightful and innovative event. It was a truly encouraging and inspiring event and wonderful to see such an eclectic group of researchers and practitioners and above all, swim enthusiasts come together. Swimming is a really unique tool to discuss health, environment and more. Look forward to future work and events in this space.

Heather MoorhouseUKCEH

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2 days talking about outdoor swimming with researchers, swimming coaches, industry and sporting organisations, community groups, and media. We covered topics from health and wellbeing, cold water, pollution, algal blooms, ageing, pregnancy, access and rights, risk, social connectivity, and ecological connection, and even managed to go swimming together.

Rebecca OliveRMIT University