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A significant number of wild swimmers recently held a protest, disregarding safety warnings against swimming in a designated “dangerous” reservoir.
Approximately 100 individuals gathered at Chew Valley Lake in Somerset on Sunday morning for a swim trespass event, organized by the Outdoor Swimming Society.
This reservoir, owned by Bristol Water, serves as an active water source and is recognized as a special protection area, significant for its scientific and conservation value.
A representative from Bristol Water stated: “While we respect the right to protest peacefully, we must emphasize that swimming in our reservoirs poses significant dangers.”
They added, “These reservoirs are operational, supplying essential water to the region. They contain deep, cold waters and hidden hazards, like strong underwater currents.”
Kate Rew, who organized the protest, expressed a desire to secure the right to swim in more reservoirs nationwide.
“We believe we have both a moral and potential legal right to swim, and we want to act on that,” she remarked.
“To secure and uphold this right, we need to engage in more swimming activities,” she continued. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for large expanses of the country to be off-limits to us, and I believe water authorities may indeed have a legal responsibility to facilitate recreational access at their sites.”
Johnny Palmer, a campaigner who led a successful initiative to permit swimming in Bristol Harbour, also participated in the protest.
He stated, “We acknowledge that we’re considered trespassers here… but we hope Bristol Water will collaborate with us to establish a swimming club in this area.”
“We’re not causing harm to anyone; rather, we’re benefiting ourselves and our communities,” he added.
As the protest commenced, a ranger from the company delivered a final warning to the group, reiterating the potential dangers, such as strong currents, cold water shock, drowning risks, naturally occurring pathogens, and harmful algae present in the lake.
The area is also home to underwater apparatus.
Despite the warning, participants chose to swim, arguing that the mental and physical health benefits outweighed the inherent risks associated with the activity.
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