Outdoor Swimming Research Forum 2024

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. Some really exciting research was presented, and future research discussed. All manner of topics were covered from men’s swimming, menopause, what words we use to describe swimming, pregnancy, access, swimming as a salutogenic practice (really interesting), how we are connected to the water and everything in it including the pollution we cause and need to be more mindful of. Antimicrobial resistance in rivers, social prescribing and the importance of research to help get funding and swimming within the NHS and access rights. I’ve got my take home messages and how I want to incorporate so ideas into my business. My business is only a hobby job but today I’ve realised the importance of the work I and everyone who helps out at South Lakes Swimming is. We are lucky to give people skills, knowledge and confidence in the water which will last a lifetime.

Thank you for my opportunity to attend – I learnt so much and made some great connections. Policy was highlighted as an area where many of the academics found they needed support/guidance to impact – One of the attendees is meeting with Swim England colleagues tomorrow to discuss research impacting policy – a consequence of your event I believe! I was pleased to hear that others also felt the event really useful and wanted to continue with networking opportunities. I am offering Swim England’s support with this ongoing network if that is helpful to you.

We’ve just spent two invigorating and inspirational days at the first Outdoor Swimming Research Forum, in the gorgeous setting of the Windermere Jetty Museum. A day of fascinating presentations from leading researchers in the field, a day of forward-looking conversations about outdoor swimming through the lenses of People, Place and Policy, and an endorphin-boosting social swim in between. Huge thanks to Taylor Butler-Eldridge for making so much hard work look so effortless, and for bringing us all together. 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. Thanks to all for two great days – looking forward to building on the many great connections made

Amazing to be here at the Outdoor Swimming Research Forum, representing The Black Swimming Association (BSA). 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. Well done to Taylor and the team for a well run, and brilliantly curated day!! 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!

Outdoor Swimming Research Forum 2024 – Last week at the stunning Windermere Jetty Museum, we came together for an inspiring event that celebrated the power of the water and the voices shaping its future. Thanks to Taylor Butler-Eldridge and colleagues for putting on such a great event. Researchers, swim guides, artists, ecologists, journalists, and advocates from diverse swimming communities gathered to explore the beauty, challenges, and opportunities that outdoor swimming brings. 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.

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.

Amazing job, from start to finish. Thank you for a great conference.

A few weeks ago, I was lucky to be part of the ‘Refresh: Outdoor Swimming Forum’ at Windermere Jetty Museum (12-13 September). We spent nearly 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 in the algae-free, but cold, water. The event was a joy and Taylor ensured that we each arrived with a commitment to caring for each other through the presentations and discussions. I feel very grateful to have been part of the work in the lead up, and to have collaborated with Taylor (Exeter Uni), Kate Moles (Cardiff Uni) and Ronan Foley (Maynooth) on the planning, and the ‘future directions’ workshop on the second day. I’ve been slow to write about this event, but it means I can share the recordings that Taylor organised of all the presentations. Taylor has provided the program of talks as well, so it’s easy to check out everything and see what piques your interest. A huge congratulations to Taylor for all his work and leadership on this event, and many, many thanks for bringing Kate, Ronan and I along as part of it

Great conference and fantastic networking with a range of researchers, practitioners and generally people who love outdoor swimming! Well done again on getting such a great group together in a small but iconic venue.

I had the privilege to be invited to the brilliant outdoor swimming research forum, which I attended on Thursday, held in a beautiful location at the Windermere Jetty Museum. Thank you, Taylor Butler-Eldridge for piecing together the floating jigsaw pieces of open water research, making me 🌊 how even though each piece of work is unique, they all have a connection or link to the other pieces of work as no researcher could cover all of the facets involved in open water swimming on their own. I felt like a fish out of water, imposter syndrome kicking in but the space was so accepting of everyone. I loved hearing from the researchers and coaches who all spoke passionately about their work. I left the day inspired and driven to focus on delivering more in the world of open water. I am very grateful to Taylor, who is an exceptional event organiser along with all of his other skills and talents, of which there are many. Thank you to everyone who was involved and for all you do in the world of research and open water.

Was a really interesting and well-organised day yesterday – well done and thanks for the invitation, lots of things to think about.

I suspect you will need a bigger room next time as I’ve had SO many messages from people wanting to be there to hear about the research and know more on the watery stuff! It’s so important to pull the threads together of research, coal face, and user/coach, so this was just ace. What a lovely bunch of people too.

Today, Taylor Butler-Eldridge hosted the Outdoor Swimming Research Forum #OSRF24, and I was honoured to be invited along to an amazing thought provoking, insightful event with researchers from around the world talking about their stuff. Huge thanks to Taylor for the leadership he’s showing on a really sensitive subject and bringing experts to see and swim in our favourite pool. 

Just to say thank you for all the work you put in. I found the conference really helpful and made great connections for both Out to Swim and SwimOut. It’s so good to hear what people are up to and achieving. I feel inspired by them – to connect, to grow, and to expand my work. Thank you.

This was such a fantastic event to be a part of Taylor! Thank you very much for the invite, I really enjoyed being part of such interesting and energising discussions, and to meet the researchers I’ve been citing for so long!

Thank you for a lovely time. I am so inspired by everyone. It’s great to meet such an impressive, smart, and funny lot!

That was such an amazing two days. It was so generous of you to invite me – being there as an artist alongside so many varied and accomplished practitioners as an equal. Thank you for making a seat at the table for me!

A huge thank you to you, and your team for organising such a fantastic event.

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.

I had the pleasure of attending the OSRF24 conference. The research that was shared was hugely insightful for my own practice-based PhD at MMU. The atmosphere was friendly and supportive. I came away with a new research network in this very specific area. It has been hugely helpful. Furthermore, as a low-income family household, this free event has been made inclusive to myself and other researchers like myself.

If Carlsberg did research forums. Thank you for organising such an incredible 2 days. 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! A community of skilled practitioners and researchers all committed to all things blue. From multistakeholder engagement, mental health, physical health, inclusion and access to creative ways of expressing, exploring and collaborating through art, poetry and conversation – this forum truly inspired and energised everyone in attendance.  It was a pleasure to be invited to speak and share the work that Catherine Kelly and I have been working on with the Environment Agency. Looking forward to next time already 💙💦