The LGBTQ+ community is gearing up for for the inaugural Pride Swim in the heart of London on Saturday, September 30, which will take place at the Royal Docks, marking a step in fostering unity, wellness, and celebration within the community
The LGBTQ+ community is gearing up for for the inaugural Pride Swim in the heart of London on Saturday, September 30, which will take place at the Royal Docks, marking a step in fostering unity, wellness, and celebration within the community.
Polly Shute, co-founder of the Out & Wild Festival and former Pride in London board member, envisions the Pride Swim as a transformative platform for enhancing the wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community. She said: “We have run wild swimming for two years as part of the Out & Wild Festival, and seen the real impact it has on those who take part.
“Out & Wild events are focused on creating new spaces for the LGBTQ+ community to connect through shared experiences. Given the growth of wild swimming it seemed a no brainer to launch the first ever Pride Swim and we are looking forward to rolling out more events in 2024.”
The excitement doesn’t stop at the water’s edge. A vibrant post-swim arena awaits swimmers and their guests, complete with music and a variety of non-alcoholic beverages, in partnership with Lucky Saint.
The event will unite swim athletes and celebrities, such as Michael Gunning, former World Championship swimmer and LGBTQ+ activist, who will be cutting the ribbon, and inclusive swim groups, including Out To Swim, a London and Brighton-based LGBTQ+ swimming, group and The BlueTits movement.
You will need to be a NOWCA member to take part in Pride Swim and you must be able to swim confidently in open water, tread water and swim 400m without stopping.
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