Broads Authority changes attitude towards outdoor swimming
19th June, 2019
The Broads Authority, with guidance from the OSS, recently replaced their advice of “Don’t Swim, no matter how tempting the water looks,” with information on how to enjoy outdoor swimming safely.
Imogen Radford, OSS inland access officer, and Melanie Holland, local long-distance swimmer and organiser of the Waveney swim event, met with Broads Authority officials to help them develop wording for their website.
While the authority still advises against entering the water unless part of an organised event and doesn’t go as far as the Lake District, which now actively welcomes swimmers, the change in policy and improved communication with local swimmers has been received as a positive step forward.
There are 120 miles of waterways within the Broads National Park, and swimmers meet up regularly at Bungay Staithe, Cow Tower in Norwich, Horstead Mill and other locations.
Imogen Radford
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