Swimmers take dip in new Bristol Harbour swimming zone
Bristol City Council is opening a new safe swimming zone next month
People have taken their first dip in an official new swimming area being created in Bristol's Harbour, as part of a special event to show it off ahead of its opening.
Bristol City Council has been working to create the site, at Baltic Wharf, alongside campaigners who have been calling for it for several years.
It is due to open to the public on 29 April and will be open on weekends until the end of May at a cost of £7 per person, pre booked only.
The council says the "small cost" will allow them to provide better safety for swimmers including through safety boats and lifeguards.
"Open water swimming has become increasingly popular over recent years and we know there are many groups and individuals in Bristol who want the opportunity to enjoy it safely," Mayor Marvin Rees says.
"It can be hard to imagine when you’re faced with the thought of wading out into cold water but there are proven health benefits.
"Cold water swimming can boost your immune system, metabolism, and increase happiness- so why shouldn’t we give it a go?
"We have listened to people’s requests for a safe swimming space in our harbour and have been working with local and experienced partners to explore how we can make this a reality."
During the trial, the council says it will be assessing the financial viability of keeping such a swimming area long term.
"The health and safety of all harbour users is our first priority and, along with other members of the Bristol Water Safety Partnership, our harbour staff work hard to prevent accidents and maintain a safe waterway so that people can enjoy all our harbour has to offer," Mayor Rees said.
"This cannot be compromised."
The Swim Bristol Harbour campaign group has been calling for such a site for two years.
"It's really important for people to be able to access an amenity that provides such huge benefits for their mental and physical health," Kim Graves from the group, said.
"It's such an integral part of Bristol, this harbour.
"You'll see people all the time sitting around, drinking, watching, walking and if this can unite more people to meet people they have shared interests in, just someone to talk to, someone to meet up with, there's no downsides to that."
At the moment Kim says open water swimming is not accessible enough in Bristol.
"The only accessible spot is Henleaze (Lake) and that runs on a membership basis, people have to sign up, they have to sit on a waiting list for years sometimes...
"It's a space that's both out of the way location wise and price wise for most people."
She wants to see it open on a permanent basis.
"It would be amazing if this could be a permanent open water space that's available to as many people as possible, as often as possible."
All around the Bristol Harbour there are signs warning people of the dangers of going in the water and across the Avon Fire and Rescue Service area there were more water safety incidents last year compared to 2021.
Ellie King though, who is Bristol City Council's cabinet member for Public Health and Communities, insists opening this swimming area is safe, with lifeguards and safety boats planned.
"We've got eyes on them (the swimmers) at all times so that if people go into the water, they can be reassured that there's safety precautions like there would be in any swimming pool."